El Tiradito facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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El Tiradito
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 Location in Arizona
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| Location | 420 South Main Ave, Tucson, Arizona |
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| Built | 1871 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000115 |
| Added to NRHP | November 19, 1971 |
El Tiradito is a unique shrine located in Tucson, Arizona. You can find it at 420 South Main Avenue, in an old part of Downtown Tucson. This special spot is important to many local people.
The name "El Tiradito" means "The Castaway" or "The Little Thrown One." It is a place where people go to remember someone and to leave prayers.
Contents
What is El Tiradito?
El Tiradito is made from the old parts of a brick building. Inside, there is a metal stand where people place candles. Many of these candles are large and show pictures of saints.
Visitors also leave small pieces of paper. These papers often have prayers or messages of thanks written on them. They are tucked into cracks in the walls or left nearby. Other small items are also left as memorials.
Who Visits This Shrine?
Many different people visit El Tiradito. People who are religious often come to pray. But it's also a favorite spot for writers, poets, and artists from Tucson. They find inspiration and peace here.
A Shrine with a Special Story
El Tiradito is very unique. It is said to be the only Catholic shrine in the United States dedicated to a person buried in ground that was not blessed by the church. This means the person was considered a "sinner."
The Legend of El Tiradito
The story says that the man buried here died a long time ago. He supposedly died while fighting for the love of a woman. Because of this, people believe his soul might be stuck in a place called purgatory.
Visitors light candles for him, hoping to help his soul find peace. Some people who are heartbroken also leave notes and letters at the shrine. They ask for healing for their own hearts.
Images for kids
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The El Tiradito shrine in Tucson, Arizona.
External Links
- A video showing the El Tiradito Shrine up close
