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Tucson, Arizona: Wishing Shrine of El Tiradito

Supposedly the only Catholic Shrine (and site on the National Register of Historic Places) dedicated to a sinner, specifically the murder victim of a love triangle. Light a candle at El Tiradito and make a wish; it will come true if the candle stays lit all night, sez the legend.

Address:
400 S. Main St, Tucson, AZ
Directions:
On the west side of S. Main St. between Cushing and Simpson Sts. Set back from the street.
Phone:
520-791-4873
Admission:
Free
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Wishing Shrine of El Tiradito

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Shrine.

Wishing Shrine of El Tiradito

The Wishing Shrine of El Tiradito is in great shape and well cared for.

[Lori, 09/08/2022]

Shrine.

Wishing Shrine Of El Tradito

The Wishing Shrine appears to be most frequently visited in the evenings.

[Rob Lively, 02/26/2021]

Makes sense, since wishes made at the shrine supposedly only come true if your candle stays lit all night.

Shrine.

El Tiradito, The Wishing Shrine

Only shrine dedicated to a sinner, very interesting and historic stop.

[Jimmy G, 07/24/2011]

Hold on... aren't we all sinners? El Tiradito figures into a popular bit of local Hispanic folklore: It is either the 19th century location of the unconsecrated grave site or suicide spot of a man who killed himself in despair resulting from a love triangle (there are several variations on this legend, including one where he's chased and killed with an ax). The adobe wall provides niches for offerings and candles. Light a candle at night and if it still burns at dawn then your wish will come true! Or something.

Murdered Sinner's shrine.

El Tiradito Wishing Shrine - Murdered Sinner

You can find El Tiradito, the Wishing Shrine, just south of downtown Tucson in a historic neighborhood called Barrio Viejo. El Tiradito means "Castaway" or "Fallen One" and this is the only shrine dedicated to a murdered sinner. There are many stories around the origin of the shrine but each story has a through line of murder, mayhem and betrayal ending with survivors lighting candles at grave sites and promising never to forget or forgive.

That's probably where the reputation as a wishing shrine began because now the legend has it that if you light a candle at El Tiradito and make a wish, your wish will come true if the candle stays lit all night.

You can buy a candle from La Pilita Museum next door to the shrine. While you are there, take a wander through their little museum and soak up a bit of Barrio Viejo history before you go make a wish.

[Kaitlyn Barrett, 05/04/2011]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Pancho Villa, U.S. InvaderPancho Villa, U.S. Invader, Tucson, AZ - < 1 mi.
Toby the Red GriffinToby the Red Griffin, Tucson, AZ - < 1 mi.
Big Airplane Tail on the SidewalkBig Airplane Tail on the Sidewalk, Tucson, AZ - < 1 mi.
In the region:
Big Ed - Muffler Man, Tucson, AZ - 7 mi.

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