• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Free Bonus
  • About

Boulder Locavore logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Free Bonus
  • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Free Bonus
    • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ร—
    Home ยป United States ยป El Sanctuario de Chimayo (New Mexico): A Day Trip Worth Taking!

    LAST UPDATED: July 4, 2018 โ€ข FIRST PUBLISHED: April 3, 2018 By Toni Dash 28 Comments

    El Sanctuario de Chimayo (New Mexico): A Day Trip Worth Taking!

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    El Sanctuario de Chimayo

    When visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico, taking a day trip to El Sanctuario de Chimayo offers a taste of the history, culture and religion of the area set in the serenity of the countryside. The healing properties of the dirt draws hundreds on personal pilgrimmages annually to this charming shrine and National Historic Landmark. 

    El Sanctuario de Chimayo
    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
    Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox (and more recipes every week)!
    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    El Sanctuario de Chimayo

    Forty minutes north of downtown Santa Fe, seemingly out in the middle of nowhere sits El Sanctuario de Chimayo.

    Perhaps one of the most important Roman Catholic churches in the U.S. for those seeking healing and a divine connection, the sanctuary attracts over 300,000 visitors a year, many of whom make pilgrimages on foot during the holy week.

    I hadn’t visited Chimayo for many years. All I had remembered was the main church and the ‘blessed dirt’. I found there was so much to explore.

    El Sanctuario de Chimayo shrine

    El Sanctuario de Chimayo is a holy place for those with religious intention and signs prompt paying respect for those there for acts of devotion. Those who are visiting without religious aspirations are also very welcome

    The dirt of the area is believed to have healing powers. A small room with an earthen floor off to the side of the 1800’s (main) church altar offers visitors a chance to take a small amount of the dirt and rub it on themselves, or to bring some home with them, in hopes of divine healing. An adjoining room houses an abundance of discarded crutches as a testament to those healed, as well as photos of those healed and those to pray for.

    TIP for collecting ‘blessed dirt’: Bring a small plastic bag orjar to collect dirt. If you don’t have something to put the dirt in, the nearby gift shops sell small containers for the dirt and the holy water which is in front of the entrance to the church. The dirt may even be ‘ordered online’ and shipped for a small suggested donation (details on the website)!

    El Sanctuario de Chimayo children\'s chapel

    What started as a small chapel has grown into a compound with multiple themed chapels, a restaurant and small mercantile shops selling religious items, crafts, locally grown chilies and other seasonings. I really loved the church for the children though was overwhelmed at the display of tiny shoes of those departed.

    The trading post to the right outside the entrance to the main church has a great collection of chile powders; chimayo, chipotle, taco spices and more. All local to the area and very well priced. I bought plastic bags of multiple dried chile powders each for five dollars or less.

    El Sanctuario de Chimayo trading post

    It is a picturesque, peaceful area boasting classic regional architecture that is interesting to explore regardless of one’s religious persuasion. Active religious services are conducted at El Sanctuario de Chimayo (as well as Confession) with times available on their website.

    Nearby Rancho de Chimayo Restaurante (recently honored with a James Beard award) serves fantastic Northern New Mexican food and will be a participant on the Santa Fe’s Margarita Trail as well.

    El Sanctuario de Chimayo small shrine

    Planning A Trip to El Sanctuario de Chimayo

    Visiting Chimayo offers a look into culture, history, and religion of this area. Regardless of which interests you, touring the various churches, shops and art throughout, offer a rich and reflective view into a special spot in the area, out of the tourist bustle of The Plaza (unless visiting during a pilgrimmage when it’s packed).

    The road to El Sanctuario de Chimayo

    The view from the road to El Sanctuario de Chimayo

    Where is El Sanctuario de Chimayo?

    Located 40 minutes north of Santa Fe, between Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico.

     

    El Sanctuario de Chimayo doors

    Hours of El Sanctuario de Chimayo

    The hours of the El Sanctuario de Chimayo vary slightly during the year, opening at 9 a.m. daily and closing at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. depending on the season (verify hours on their website before going). Check the website for information about the multiple pilgrimmages that occur during the year to participate or choose when to visit (it will be less crowded outside the pilgrimmage times).

    There is free parking onsite.

    El Sanctuario de Chimayo statue

    What to Wear at El Sanctuario de Chimayo

    The weather can be variable in the spring, fall and winter. Layering allows the most comfortable experience, along with good walking shoes.

    El Sanctuario de Chimayo - crosses on fence

    Whether religious or not, this is a very interesting place to visit and spend a few peaceful hours or a whole day.

    The road to El Sanctuario de Chimayo

    View from the road to El Sanctuario de Chimayo.

     

    « Homemade Meyer Lemon Salad Dressing Recipe
    Baja Fish Taco Bowl: a Fast, Flavor-Packed Family-Style Main Dish recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Colleen Cayes says

      April 04, 2018 at 3:56 pm

      Toni, thank you for your wonderful photos and the many ideas of things to see, do, and buy when visiting this special place. I haven’t been for a few years, but thanks to you I almost feel as if I made the Good Friday pilgrimage (but without the walking).

      Reply
    2. Vicky says

      April 04, 2018 at 9:39 am

      One of my friends in currently visiting Santa Fe. I need to send this her way to make sure she checks it out. What a wonderful part of New Mexico history!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Picture of Toni

    Welcome! Iโ€™m Toni Dash. Iโ€™m a Certified Nutrition Coach and the professional writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavoreยฎ. Iโ€™m so glad you are here!

    More about me โ†’

    Featured on....

    BoulderLocavore.com Featured By Press

    Grilling Recipes

    • Ultimate Burger Grill Guide title photo with burgers on a charcoal grill Ultimate Burger Grill Guide: How to Grill the Perfect Burger
    • steak on grill with flames How to Grill Steak Perfectly: Everything You Need to Grill Like a Pro
    • grilled porterhouse steak title Perfect Porterhouse Steak on the Grill
    • Grilled Kabob Recipes on grate (titled image) Grilled Kabob Recipes: 20 Must Make Recipes for Summer
    • bruschetta chicken title image Bruschetta Chicken recipe โ€“ Baked, Grilled or Stove Top
    • Chicken Shish Kabobs title Easy Grilled Chicken Shish Kabobs

    TRENDING RIGHT NOW

    • Ultimate Burger Grill Guide title photo with burgers on a charcoal grill Ultimate Burger Grill Guide: How to Grill the Perfect Burger
    • How to Make Moist Homemade Shredded Chicken Breast title How to Make Moist Homemade Shredded Chicken Breast Recipe
    • Instant Pot Jambalaya Instant Pot Jambalaya Recipe: Quick & Easy Comfort Food
    • Sparkling Cranberry Vodka Punch Sparkling Cranberry Vodka Punch Recipe
    • homemade ketchup title image The Best Homemade Ketchup โ€“ Made with Fresh Tomatoes!
    • Instant Pot Smoked Paprika & Garlic Chicken Legs with lime wedges on a pewter platter Instant Pot Smoked Paprika & Garlic Chicken Legs

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram

    Contact | About | Privacy Policy | Disclosure Policy | Accessibility Statement | Cookie Policy


    SIGN ME UP to get FREE recipes directly to my inbox!

    Don't miss our TRAVEL SECTION!


    Copyright ยฉ 2010-2025 All Rights Reserved

    Boulder Locavore is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.