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Chimayó
New Mexico, USA
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Location: Rio Arriba, Route 76, 7 miles east of Española. High in the foothills of the Sangre de Christo Mountains some 30 miles north of Santa Fe. The Nearest major airport is Albuquerque, NM (ABQ) (84 miles). El Santuario de Chimayó is one mile south of the intersection of Highways 76 & 520.
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Distance (from Ghost Ranch): Approximately 45 miles south of Ghost Ranch.
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Directions (from Ghost Ranch): Turn left at the Ghost Ranch gate onto US Highway 84 and head south to Route 76. Chimayó is 7 miles east of Española.
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Description: This tiny village was established after the Spanish reconquest of New Mexico in 1680. Historically, Chimayó was founded as a penal colony for the Spanish empire. The word chimayó means "good flaking stone" and refers to the abundant supply of volcanic obsidian glass in the area. It is also the location of El Sanctuario (The Shrine) de Chimayó, a small adobe church noted for the healing power of its dirt. Chimayó is home to many traditional weavers with roots deep in old Spanish Colonial New Mexico for over 300 years. The drive from Santa Fe to Chimayó is filled with scenic rolling mesas and copper-colored hills. Pilgrims making their walk to El Santuario de Chimayó every year during Holy Week in New Mexico.
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Activities in Chimayó:
 Casa Escondida Bed & Breakfast -A comfortable oasis decorated in the American Arts & Crafts style. Exquisite accomodations and breakfasts at affordable prices. they host groups, tours, weddings. Casa Escondida (the "hidden house") is a secluded and serene bed & breakfast that is nestled on six acres in the awe-inspiring mountains of northern New Mexico. Phone:505 / 351-4805 & 1-800-643-7201
Chimayó, Trading and Mercantile -Variety of traditional arts including textiles. Specializing in Navajo weaving.
El Santuario de Chimayó – Originally a private chapel, constructed from 1814 to 1816, it was bought by a private group in 1929 and turned over to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. It is noted for the healing powers of the "Tierra Bendita" (sacred earth). This adobe church was designated as a "National Historic Landmark" in 1970 by the U.S. Department of the Interior. El Santuario de Chimayó is one mile south of the intersection of Highways 76 & 520.
Chapel El Santo Niño de Atocha - This small chapel is located one block northwest of the El Santaurio, just beyond el Portero Plaza.
High Road New Mexico ~ Chimayó -Surrounding the Santuario and the smaller capilla (chapel), two places of worship and contemplation, are small restaurants and galleries, including the High Road Marketplace, which features a wide selection of the arts and crafts found along the length of the High Road between Santa Fe and Taos.
Ortega's de Chimayó - In the early 1700's Gabriel Ortega passed his knowledge of weaving to his son Manuel Pablo, thus beginning an unbroken weaving tradition that continues to the present day. Impressive examples of woven rugs and clothing can be found at this Ortega Weaving Gallery/Shop. Ortaga's Weaving, the oldest weaving shop in the region, which just celebrated its 100th year.
Los Vigiles Living Traditional Gift Shop - Award-winning 7th generation Vigil family have been weaving handcrafted Rio Grande and Chamayl style textiles, jewelry, tin, retablos, and paintings. They also carry weaving equipment and supplies for the textile artist.
Casa Escondida - Casa Escondida (the "hidden house"), nestled on six acres of secluded land, is an intimate & serene inn built in the Spanish Colonial Adobe style, typical of Northern New Mexico.
Rancho de Chimayó - Restaurant, Bed and Breakfast and galleries showing Native American southwest pottery, jewelry, art, paintings
and sculptures. A useful Chimayó map with directions from surrounding towns and cities. The Jaramillo family run the Restaruante and Hacienda and have resided in Chimayó since 1695 and traces their roots to the first Spanish settlers.
Restaurante Rancho de Chimayo - Traditional Northern New mexico meals. Large seating area and outdoor dining. Just down the road from the Santuario and High Road Marketplace. Phone: 505/351-4444
Leona’s Restaurante de Chimayó is in the parking lot, just across from the holy Santuario de Nuestro Senor de Esquipulas.
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Maps
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New Mexico Area map
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Name: (Chimayó) "This inhabited settlement takes its name from a Tewa Indian pueblo once located here; it name, Tsimayo, meant 'good flaking stone,' though it's unclear what mineral was referred to: some have suggested flint, not locally common; others have suggested mica, found in the mountains to the E. Spanish settlement here began soon after the reconquest of 1692.
The Place Names of New Mexico, Robert Julyan, © 1996, 1998 by the University of New Mexico Press
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