GUIDED TOUR OF HIGH-ROAD MISSION CHURCHES (Past Event)

The tours to the high-road churches are sold out. Tickets are still available for the other events. If you would like to receive notice when new church tours are added, please send an email to: fgraz@nuevo-mexico-profundo.com

GUIDED TOURS depart from the Santuario de Chimayó to the historic churches in Córdova, Truchas, and Las Trampas. These churches, which are rarely seen by nonparishioners, are particularly outstanding for their historical and cultural importance and their conservation of santero altar screens. Each tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours and is guided by Frank Graziano, author of HISTORIC CHURCHES OF NEW MEXICO TODAY (Oxford University Press, 2019). Limited to 24 participants.

Transportation is by self-drive caravans--in your own car--that line up near the RTD Blue Bus stop, in the lower parking area of the Santuario de Chimayó. Please arrive at least fifteen minutes prior to departure and, if it is of interest, discuss with others the possibility of carpooling.

The Santuario itself is not included in this tour. Before or after the tour be sure to see the Santuario's main (Cristo de Esquipulas) chapel and the adjacent rooms with votive offerings and the pocito of holy dirt; the Santo Niño de Atocha chapel; the prayer portal; and the museum/store called Rincón de Don Bernardo Abeyta, where staff can answer questions.

If you are continuing north on the High Road after the tour, en route to Taos there are two other exceptional sites that you might like to visit:

SAN LORENZO, PICURIS PUEBLO. When heading north toward Taos, Route 76 ends in a T at Route 75. Turn left on Route 75, continue about a mile, and make a right turn immediately after Garcia’s Store. There is a brown Picurís Pueblo sign at the turn. You will arrive at the church a few moments later. If you would like to see the church interior, and the historic pueblo including a round tower kiva in a spectacular setting, ask at the tribal office.

NUESTRA SENORA DE LA ASUNCION, PLACITA. When heading north toward Taos, Route 76 ends in a T at Route 75. Turn right, and after mile marker 19 turn right again onto Camino del Medio, across from the green water tower. The church’s rounded apse will be in front of you.