El Tiradito Shrine

My second time here, as I was showing a friend from out-of-state some of the historical sites. I love the story and I love that it's a historical landmark now. The last time I came, there were flowers and candles lit, but I wonder if somebody took it all down? Anyway, one can come and light candles for a loved one, or leave flowers as a momentum. Part of our history and culture.

Totally wasn't worth the detour off the freeway.Sad small grounds with a small statue.It didn't help my mood when I went across the street to the gas station & got my car stuck in the mud. 5 stars for the local cowboys who pushed my car out.Atlas Obscura did me wrong.

El Tiradito is a shrine in the Old Barrio neighborhood. El Tiradito means "the castaway," and its the only Catholic shrine in the United States dedicated to a sinner buried in unconsecrated ground. It is said that the man buried there died fighting for the love of a woman. More like a steamy love affair with his mother in law. Apparently visitors go to this shrine to light a candle for Juan in hope his soul will be freed from purgatory. After all these years of walking over there to light I candleI didn't take the time to read the plaques until now! I always lit a candle in remembrance of a loved one. Either way, this shrine is here to stay! Pay it a visit then head over to El Minuto for lunch.

This place is literally some dirt next to a parking lot of a Mexican restaurant, and only a mediocre restaurant at that. Ambiance? There's what appears to be the leftovers of a seance/romantic interlude/weird birthday party all around and its pretty dirty. As for seating...hah...nothing. Waited hours for my miracle to happen and it never did. The food was actually ok and free, I found a granola bar on the ground.I laughed, I cried. It was much better than "Cats". I'm going to never go there again and again

Intrigue! Broken hearts! Crimes of passion! Conflicting stories of a love triangle! Burial on unconsecrated ground!The plaque on the lot says it's the only shrine in the United States dedicated to a sinner. Check it out, bring a candle and fire, read the story and make a wish or say a prayer. Some people like to take a drink from the very earthy-tasting water fountain at the back of the lot to seal the deal.The first time I went, my candle went out right away. Sigh.

A little local site that wasn't torn down yet, now it's a historic area. Candles get lit at night by ghosts, and it has a nice creepy feel to it.

I recommend you combine a visit to El Minuto, a small Mexican restaurant near the Convention Center in Tucson, and your visit to the El Tradito (also known as The Wishing Shrine) next door, the only holy shrine in America dedicated to a sinner. It is a good place for small gatherings/events and can be reserved for weddings by calling 520-791-4873.The shrine sits on the ruined remains of a house with only the back brick wall still standing. There are many candles, and tokens, photographs, letters, and gifts on the wall. So many candles have burned there over the decades that the old wax has made a large black pad of the ground.There are many stories regarding how the shrine came to be, but one told by a Yaqui Indian was that in the 1800's, a young man fell in love with his mother -in-law. His father in law found out about the affair and killed him at this house. Since he was a sinner in the eyes of the church, for being in love (and probably having sex) with his mother-in-law, he couldn't be buried on consecrated ground at the nearby Roman Catholic Church's cemetery. Other similar stories all involve some sort of lovers' triangle. The first site of El Tiradito was at the corner of Simpson and Meyer streets, but the shrine has been at three different, very close, locations. The second site of the shrine was at the corner of Simpson and Main streets. Its present location, 356 S. Main St., is the location listed on the Nation Register of Historic Places. It was accepted to the registry in 1971 after the El Tradito Foundation saved it from demolition for the Butterfield Expressway.Over time, men and women come and pray at this site, not for the murdered lover, but for people that had become lost to them. Maybe they didn't know where a loved one physically was, or they were lost to addictions and in darkness of some kind, or just lost because they were lost. No matter. They came and they prayed.It is said that if you bring a tall votive candle and pray for something or someone, your prayer will come true if the candle is still burning the next day.I have visited the shrine many times. It is very romantic, at night with the candles burning, but also a little scary; definately a memorable experience. Be careful of what you wish for!

Stopped here to follow the tradition of wishing love to a loved one and we left our names in a hole with our love wish. Pretty cool site, open to public 24/7. A must for a good leg stretch after a long drive. Tells an old story of how Tuscon came to be.

We had just eaten at the restaurant next door. I went to take photos of my Great-nieces at the shrine. We lit a candle in the middle of taking photos with my IPod. I continued to take photos of the shrine and the out to the plaque. After getting home and reviewing the photos, I found that all of the photos prior to lighting the candle we fine, then the following twelve photos turned red with changing gradients of white. Then the photos of the Plaque and building next door came out fine. My camera has never done anything like this before or since. I cannot explain what happened.

This place to me is not something you do on a sight seeing tour- it is a place of remembrance, of respect, for both the living and the dead. I come here from time to time and think of those I have lost. I'll sometimes try to re-light the candles (always mean to bring some fresh ones). It's quiet, beautiful, and humbling as you look upon the memories of so many others who have here to pay their respects.