Chimayo' - Images of America Author:Patricia Trujillo-Oviedo The name "Chimayó" is derived from the Tewa Indian term Tsi — Mayoh and was given to a sacred place of the Pueblo Indians — located in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains between — Santa Fe and Taos. Many of the Spanish colonists who settled — in Chimayó after peaceful reentry to New Mexico in 1692 were — descendants of those who left Cas... more »tile and Extremadura. Nurtured by
their faith and strengthened by the traditions and skills they brought
from Spain, settlers converted a harsh environment into a fertile,
green valley that provided them a livelihood for several generations.
In 1810, Don Bernardo Abeyta, a prominent citizen of Chimayó,
discovered a crucifix buried near a sacred well of healing earth, where
he built a church. This is the site of present-day Santuario de Chimayó,
also known as the "Lourdes of America." Over the centuries, the
descendants of Chimayó colonists developed a unique weaving tradition
that is also known throughout the world. Present-day Chimayó offers a
unique glimpse into a culture that has endured for centuries.« less