Historic Chimay In Northern New Mexico Features Famous Chapel And Last Surviving Fortified Plaza In U S

Tucked in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is a tiny community that founded in the late 17th century by Spanish settlers. Its location in the valley nourished by the Santa Cruz River nearby led to the first inhabitants becoming experts in farming, raising livestock, and artisan crafts. Today, the tiny community thrives and continues to build on the traditions set by those first inhabitants. Here’s why you should visit historic Chimayó, located in the heart of Northern New Mexico.

The fortified plaza of San Buenaventura (now the Plaza del Cerro) was built here to protect against threats of frontier life.

City-Data.com It is the last surviving fortified plaza in the United States.

The area is known for its chile peppers.

LuceroPhotos/Flickr

mimerkel/Flickr Locals sell harvested varieties as well as decorative arrangements to visitors.

Weaving is a proud traditon that continues here today.

Kathy Knorr/Flickr

Howard Lifshitz/Flickr Shops sell blankets featuring intricate and colorful patterns.

Livestock is abundant.

Maureen/Flickr Early settlers raised sheep, cattle, and horses.

The desertscape is spectacular.

Denise Womack-Avila/Flickr This beautiful photo is of a rising moonscape.

A chapel was built in 1816 called el Santuario de Nuestro Señor de Esquipulas.

Paul Gorbould/Flickr

Luz/Flickr This chapel is now commonly called el Santuario de Chimayo.

osseous/Flickr It is considered one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the United States.

Miraculous healings are believed to have occurred at the site about 200 years ago.

Yaya Dada/Flickr Pilgrams and travelers come for healing, spiritual restoration, and simply for curiosity and hospitality.

Paul Gorbould/Flickr Prayer beads Santuario at the chapel are an example of how many of the faithful visit.

The community sees beautiful changes of the season, making it a spectacular place to visit year-round.

Jade/Flickr

wplynn/Flickr A nearby Hoodoo wall (a type of geological foundation) adds to the landscape interest of the area.

Have you visited this historic community in Northern New Mexico, and if so, what did you like best about it? Learn more about the area and places to visit here. For related content, you’ll want to learn more about these 12 small towns that offer nothing but peace and tranquility in New Mexico.

City-Data.com

It is the last surviving fortified plaza in the United States.

LuceroPhotos/Flickr

mimerkel/Flickr

Locals sell harvested varieties as well as decorative arrangements to visitors.

Kathy Knorr/Flickr

Howard Lifshitz/Flickr

Shops sell blankets featuring intricate and colorful patterns.

Maureen/Flickr

Early settlers raised sheep, cattle, and horses.

Denise Womack-Avila/Flickr

This beautiful photo is of a rising moonscape.

Paul Gorbould/Flickr

Luz/Flickr

This chapel is now commonly called el Santuario de Chimayo.

osseous/Flickr

It is considered one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the United States.

Yaya Dada/Flickr

Pilgrams and travelers come for healing, spiritual restoration, and simply for curiosity and hospitality.

Prayer beads Santuario at the chapel are an example of how many of the faithful visit.

Jade/Flickr

wplynn/Flickr

A nearby Hoodoo wall (a type of geological foundation) adds to the landscape interest of the area.

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