Credit: Nuestro Stories
In the mountains of the Sangre de Cristo lies El Santuario de Chimayo. A holy site with swirlings of legends and lore that surround it.
During the 12th century, the Tewa Pueblo tribe inhabited the land. The Pueblo, a tribe related to the Aztecs, were traditionally known as herdsmen and farmers whose petroglyphs are still spread across the land now called New Mexico.
Known as a peace loving people, the Tewa Pueblo are known for their spiritual practices and rituals that were based in Animism – a practice that believes that land, sky, water, air, plants, animals, and all other forms of natural creations have souls embodied within them. Like many other tribal religions of the time, the Hopi believed in the stories of a great flood that came to wash the land clean, and had a deep connection to the purification properties of water.
It makes sense that the Tewa Pueblo were drawn to Chimayo. The natural hot springs that existed within the space were believe to hold healing spirits, and were a large part of the Tewa’s spiritual rituals.
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During the initial conquests of the land now known as New Mexico, their attempts to convert the Indigenous peoples of the area to Catholicism eventually caused a revolt. In 1680, the tribes fought off the Spanish occupation of the region. It would be another 13 years (1693) before they returned – led by Diego de Vargas. Eventually gaining control of the area, Catholicism slowly but surely began to make its way through the tribes and by the early 1800s had consumed a majority of the traditional practices.
The Origins of El Santuario
In 1810, Don Bernardo Abeyta, a member of the Penitentes (a Catholic sect of men who believed in self-flagellation as atonement for sin), believed he saw a shining light radiating near the river in Chimayo. He followed the light until he discovered its origin, which, per his re-telling, was coming from the dirt. Upon digging, it was said Abeyta discovered a crucifix. After notifying the priest in Santa Cruz, Fray Sebastian Alvarez, upon hearing the news, made his way to Chimayo to collect the crucifix.
Then, Alvarez brought the crucifix back to his church, placed it upon the main altar, and retired. According to legend, the priest awoke the next morning to find the crucifix gone. An investigation was ordered and the crucifix was discovered back at its origin point in Chimayo. The same thing happened two nights after. Believing the dirt the crucifix came from contained mystical properties, Abeyta petitioned Alvarez to build a chapel on the site.
The healing properties of the soil is said to still hold miraculous properties to this day, and El Santuario sees upwards of 300k people who make a pilgrimage to the area each year.
If You Go: You’re at walking distance for Holy Family Chapel – approximately 4 minutes. You’re also near El Santo Niño Church.
Location: Chimayo, New Mexico
Address: 15 Santuario Dr
Google View 360: Take a stroll through it here.
