sanctuario de chimayo

Hurry and get there before more development takes place... in the past 5 years... more and more shops have opened... it was at one time a very uncomplicated and sacred space... enterprise is moving in. Once you are inside the Chapel... you can feel - sense the presence of the Divine. Many healings have taken place here... and many pilgrims have left behing mementos... crutches, canes and photos. It is a very effective and respectful intergration of Native American Spirituality and Christianity... Bring a container to collect some of the blessed holy dirt from the room just off of the Sanctuary... wheather on not you are a believer ... it is a great way to keep the memory of this place in your heart.

A wonderful place to visit and reflect... read the stories of the people that have made the pilgrimage... and being there almost make you feel like you are part of the family... make you you look for the "dirt" :)

El Santuario de Chimayo, the church, is off the beaten path and worth a visit. The building and court yard are lovely, and the inside authentic with its wooden retablos. The area dedicated to those who request divine intervention is moving; so many pictures of our soldiers who fight for freedom and independence of our country. The little alcove with whole of the holy sand is sparse. When observing a woman digging up several cups of sand, it almost appeared that the whole filled itself or at least that there was no reduction in the level of sand.It is worth to make your pilgrimage and find yourself as part of a larger community.

I think the feeling of hope abounds here. Can't help but looking at the crutches, crosses, memorials and thinking of the intensity of the feelings there. The church is beautiful - and I loved our time there. The gift shops are much larger than they were last time I was there. But it was nice to pick up a few wooden churches to keep the blessed dirt in. Also loved the wall with all the service men and women. Lots of prayers surround them. It's definitely worth the side trip when you are in Santa Fe to come up to the Sanctuario de Chimayo. Just make sure you stop for the blessed dirt when you are in the church. If one doesn't know it is in the side room, they could easily miss it.

The numbers of faithful that flock here each year is astounding. The grounds are well kept. They are friendly and open to visitors from anywhere.

When in Santa Fe on needs to visit this very sacred and holy place. When you first walk in you see all the crutches, canes, walkers hanging on the walls. There is holy sand there that never seems to deplete itself. It is very moving to see all the assistive devices that people no longer need.

This little church built back in 1810 (I think) is so quaint and charming. It is a healing church. There is a room that you can get blessed healing dirt and take with you. The room off of that room is filled with crutches, canes, braces of every type, wheel chairs, eye glasses,all the things that was left behind by the people who was healed. Either physical or spiritual healing is sought, this place makes you feel the presents of God. The grounds are beautiful. A site to see no matter what religion you are.

This small church in a very small village on the road between Santa Fe and Taos is a must-see. The tiny church itself is worth the trip, but the additional areas around the church are also worthwhile. The beauty of the structures against the backdrop of the natural surroundings gives even the most hardened anti-religious pause. We would encourage everyone who has the opportunity to stop by and see this lovely site.

Like the new additions which don't detract from the original historic church but provide additional information, areas for prayer and contemplation, and in view of the beautiful natural surroundings.

church from the past gives you a feel of how locals lived prior to mega churches and TV. On road between Santa Fe and Taos

Such a special place! You can sense God is at work at the Sanctuario. Simply a peaceful, prayerful place!

There is much more to see here than you would think. The outdoor altars, the Santo Nino chapel, the old church - take time to take it all in. Leonas tamale stand next to church is great. There is no need to take time to shop here - just make sure you see ALL of the Sanctuario grounds and the two chapels/churches

When we first pulled up to this complex, I thought for sure we'd be in and out in 30 minutes. It didn't look like much. As we started to wander around and read the plaques, and go into the different church buildings, I realized I was very wrong. This is obviously a retreat, a "sanctuary" in every sense of the word. I could've easily stayed for hours, just wandering around the grounds.

While we have visited here in the past....it has become a tourist trap...with everything for sale at just about every house and home...u go from one place with things for sale to the next....not worth the trip.

When you visit this beautiful Catholic Church where many miracles have been reported to have happened, you will feel the spirit whether you are Catholic or not. The present church built in 1816 draws over 300,000 pilgrims a year, hoping to capture a miracle by praying at the Church and by gathering some of the Holy Dirt that the Church allows visitors to take from a hole in the floor of a tiny, ornate grotto wihtin the Church. Many have proclaimed that this dirt has healed their ailments. We went to a Sunday Mass at the Church (and even though it was very hot inside), the spectacularly colorful altar, the age of the Church and the locals made the experience incredibly spiritual for us. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit a pilgimage center right here in America. Do not miss your chance!