Chimayo

Chimayo, about 10 miles east of Espanola, was originally settled by the Spanish in 1692. The Plaza of San Burenaventura, now called the Plaza del Cerro was built around 1740. Weaving has always been important at Chimayo and around 1900 commercial looms and yarns began to be used by the local weavers. The Chimayo area is known today for high-quality woven goods.

Even more famous than the village is the shrine known as El Santuario de Nuestra Senor de Esquipulas usually abbreviated to El Santuario. Built in 1813, the shrine is a masterpiece of colonial folk art and architecture. Dirt in its floor mixed with water is believed by some to have miraculous healing powers and pilgrimages to the church are an important part of Holy Week in northern New Mexico.