El Tiradito Shrine

Although it may be listed as a tourist attraction, it actually has an intimate local vibe to it. The Shrine was well maintained, some candles were actually burning when I stopped by and it even has little slots to leave wishes, requests, or remembrance notes for loved ones that have passed. At some point a freeway was being ear marked to run through this local landmark, but through the advocacy of culturally minded activists, it was able to attain designation as a historical landmark to remain there. Check it out! Oh yeah and it is free!!!

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.

Can someone possibly give a bad review to a shrine? I mean come on, is the shrine going to get it’s act together and change? I didn’t know until recently that someone was buried there. Read the wiki kids.

I’m a sucker for historical landmarks. El Tiradito doesn’t disappoint in that sense. But if you’re not into these sort of things, skip it. If you are, enjoy how cool and peaceful this little spot gets. There really are ghosts here. Bring a candle.

OK, for those not from Tucson (or the SW), or for those new to town, there’s a fascinating tradition of shrines around the area that were new to this NY native when I moved here.
I love riding up Starr Pass by A-​Mountain at night, where you can look to the side of the hill and see the candles flickering from shrines placed in little nooks among the rocks. A (morbid?) curiosity overcomes me as I travel along Hwy 86 and see the shrines along the way, marking tragedy in the lives of some unknown-​to-​me soul.
But here at El Tiradito Shrine, you can easily walk up to the location and visit for as long as you wish. And unlike so many of the other shrines located around the Old Pueblo, this one has a story you can learn (I won’t bother to repost the historic info, just check other reviews). And while, like the other shrines, this one has a personal origin, it really has evolved into a remembrance for all sinners – all of us who are, well, humans.
Located so close to the TCC, Cushing Street, and El Minuto, you don’t necessarily even have to make a specific trip to visit the shrine. Just wander a little south of downtown and see a little-​known bit of Tucson’s unique side.

I must admit I am a sucker for these things. I love history and being new to Tucson this is something that is fascinating to see in this town.
Its all about a love triangle and its amazing that this is the only shrine in the country dedicated to a SINNER.
It is definitely a must see of Tucson-​lots of history. Really interesting.

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!

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.

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.