 | Chimayo Things To Do | Tips 1 - 7 of 7 |  |
Popular Things To Do | Other Things To Do Tips | All Tips (7) Chimayo is a small town in Northern New Mexico. The first settlers came here after the Pueblo Revolt (1680-1692) for the fertile farmland. The colonists worked the land with diligence, for there was not only the chance of becoming self sufficient through their labors, but the Spanish Crown might provide them with the title of hidalgo and all provide all the perks that becoming a nobleman would entail.
About a hundred years later, (~1810) a local friar was performing penance, and saw a light coming from the hillside. At the sight of the light, he dug a short way down and found a crucifix. Later named, Our Lord of Esquipulas, this crucifix was taken by a priest to another area. Three times the crucifix turned up missing. Three times the crucifix was found back in it's hole in Chimayo. By now, it was determined that El Senor Esquipulas didn't want to leave Chimayo, and a small chapel was built around his favorite spot. He was placed on the altar
Photos are permitted without flash, and as long as you don't disturb the faithful. Leave a Comment Directions: Get to Espanola, follow Hwy 76 about 5 miles to the Sanuario
|
 | |  |
Visiting Chimayo?
Read reviews about Chimayo Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Miracle healings began to occur in Chimayo, and pilgrims began to arrive in droves. Over time, the crucifix and it's healing power became overshadowed by the dirt in El Posito, the sacred sand pit. As the former home of this powerful crucifix, this miracle dirt has also been attributed with miraculous cures.
Of course, the local native tribes and pueblos have stories of healing from this area that predate the European settlers. The water from stream and the sacred soil are still important to aboriginal healing in the region.
It shouldn't surprise anyone who's visited New Mexico that where France has Lourdes and water .... New Mexico has Chimayo and dirt :) We are known for our dust afterall!
El Posito is in a small anteroom next to the current church and altar. You wait for room to enter and collect some dirt for yourself, rub it on yourself, or just stare ... your choice actually. Leave a Comment Directions: From Espanola take Hwy 76 5 miles to the Santuario de Chimayo and follow the other people there to the chapel and El Posito.
|
| | |
Just outside the chapel and El Posito are remnants of old lives .... crutches, canes, braces and more are on display in gratitude for the miracle cures received by their past owners. Known as the Lourdes of North America pilgrims come from all over - especially at Easter. The Easter pilgrims arrive by foot ... walking from Taos (40 miles), Santa Fe (24 miles) and other part of of the region. The walk itself is seen as a devotion to El Senor Esquipulas .. in anticipation, or in gratitude for previous miracles.
Chimayo estimates 300,000 visitors a year ..... 30,000 of them for Easter alone. It's a bit of a zoo then, but a worthy journey. Leave a Comment Directions: From Espanola, take Hwy 76 5 miles to the Santuario.
|
See map at http://dgrims2.unm.edu/website/EspCr06/viewer.htm
Each of the red dots on the highway between Espanola and the village of Chimayo represents 4 to 65 vehicle collisions - a third of which were DWI 'accidents'. The newly released crash map (created by the nonprofit DWI Resource Center, the state Transportation Department and law enforcement agencies) also shows that Saturdays between 6 and 7 p.m. and between 10 and 11 p.m. Fridays are prime for crashes, also that a high number of alcohol-related crashes happen from 2 to 3 a.m. Wednesdays.
See also http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/53541.html
|
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/video/
Holy Land by Natalie Guillen
Santa Fe New Mexican
See also
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Chimayo+&hl=en&sitesearch
(31 Chimayo related videos as of April 2008)
|
Visiting Chimayo?
Read reviews about Chimayo Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
The sanctuary and the area around it is filled with detail. The lower area (which you walk through from the overflow parking lot) has a few small shrines and the chain-link fence has been filled with crosses made from twigs. As you make your way to the sanctuary building you will pass a grotto with a statue of the Virgen that is decorated with multi-colored rosaries. The sanctuary itself has a main nave with a beautiful decorated wooden altarpiece and the side room which contains the holy dirt and offerings from the faithful. Take time to explore the offerings left behind...crutches, baby shoes, decorated pictures of saints and holy figures, hand-written notes, and inscribed pictures cover the walls in honour of those who have been healed and those who wish to be healed. Leave a Comment
|
 | 1 |  |
|
|
on October 27, 2006
on March 3, 2008
on May 17, 2007
on January 23, 2005
