El Santuario de Chimayó is a Roman Catholic church. Every year, around 300,000 people visit this shrine, a National Historic Landmark since 1970. Walking is traditional; some pilgrims walk from as far away as Albuquerque, about 90 miles. A small room called el pocito (the little well) contains a round pit, the source of “holy dirt” that is believed to have healing powers. An adjacent Prayer Room displays many ex-votos as well as photographs, discarded crutches, and other testimonials of those purportedly healed.

Photos by Cheryl Benard