Satevo Mission
Satevo Mission
4
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A beautiful and mysterious 18th-centry church at the bottom of Mexico's Copper Canyon.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
19 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
9
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Wanderer 3345
Tucson, AZ4 contributions
Jul 2020
My best friend had been here before and convinced me to join him for another visit in 1998. After a harrowing old school bus ride from Creel into the canyon to the small town of Batopilas, we hiked the dirt road to the old Satevo Mission (actual date of construction is unknown but likely late 1700's).
My friend waited under a shade tree for more than an hour while I toured the cool but simply appointed Mission. Inside were 2 Mexicans quietly whitewashing the walls while a Tarahumara Indian, dressed in a white breechcloth and a red wool shirt thoughtfully gazed in wonder at the metal paintings of the Stations of the Cross.
With camera in hand I recorded incredible images of the wooden casket with dusty pains of glass, containing a very old wooden carved rendition of Jesus. In the holy water alcove, in was a paragraph written in cursive pencil in an unknown dialect of Spanish. It was dated 1951. It shook me to realize that I was present on the day these walls were being repainted for the first time in 47 years.
There were many more impactful moments in that sanctuary, not the least of which happened at the very end, when I sat in silence on the well worn wooden plank of a backless pew beneath the crumbling plaster dome looming over the primitive alter that now exposed the 200 year old bricks above.
Honest to God, as I hung my head and closed my eyes in reverence and humility, I felt a noticeable 'something', an unforgettable flow of energy slowly but inextricably pass from my feet, up through my legs and body and out of the top of my head. Tears flowed. These memories remain as vivid now in 2021 as they were then.
My friend waited under a shade tree for more than an hour while I toured the cool but simply appointed Mission. Inside were 2 Mexicans quietly whitewashing the walls while a Tarahumara Indian, dressed in a white breechcloth and a red wool shirt thoughtfully gazed in wonder at the metal paintings of the Stations of the Cross.
With camera in hand I recorded incredible images of the wooden casket with dusty pains of glass, containing a very old wooden carved rendition of Jesus. In the holy water alcove, in was a paragraph written in cursive pencil in an unknown dialect of Spanish. It was dated 1951. It shook me to realize that I was present on the day these walls were being repainted for the first time in 47 years.
There were many more impactful moments in that sanctuary, not the least of which happened at the very end, when I sat in silence on the well worn wooden plank of a backless pew beneath the crumbling plaster dome looming over the primitive alter that now exposed the 200 year old bricks above.
Honest to God, as I hung my head and closed my eyes in reverence and humility, I felt a noticeable 'something', an unforgettable flow of energy slowly but inextricably pass from my feet, up through my legs and body and out of the top of my head. Tears flowed. These memories remain as vivid now in 2021 as they were then.
Written June 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pamelapal
Gilbert, AZ9 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
We drove up to the mission in our 4 wheel drive SUV, a local went with us. When we asked what the people around there did he said "top secret", this is a big marijuana and opium poppy growing area, but the narcos leave the tourists alone. CHECK OUT MY REVIEW ON BATOPILAS FOR MORE INFO. The area is absolutely breathtaking. We went in the rainy season and it was lush lush green, good for growing "stuff".
Written November 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
w2conrad
Los Angeles, CA57 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
The inside of the church isn't that interesting but the setting is lovely. The colors are vibrant. The prettiest part of Batopilas.
Written April 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DMGAmes_Iowa
Ames, IA565 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
My wife and I, with a small group of fellow travelers, hiked part way and rode by SUV part way from Batopilas. Gorgeous scenery en route. This fascinating neo-Gothic mission church dates back to the 17th century and has been restored. At the left is a glass coffin-like case with a figure of the crucified Christ, complete with stigmata. In the brick floor, look for rectangular patterns that reveal the burials of priests below the church, and also the sub-floor grave of Martina V. de Ontiveros (1881), presumably a patroness of the church. Admission is free, but a donation is appreciated.
Written April 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristin F
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico6 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
Easy enough walk from Batopilas, it's downriver along the road which isn't flat, but gradual. I didn't expect to find anything in Satevo but there's a small community including tiendas for cookies or water. The church was locked when we got there but a little boy ran after us and a woman came out to open the door and give a brief tour, and we gave her a donation.
Written March 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Fraser Rivers Edge B&B Lodge
Chilliwack, Canada120 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
This place has been restored poorly and I'll maintained. Nonetheless, it is a must see in Batopilas if not for anything but the age and history of the place.
Written March 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Citlali
22 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
This one is newer and better maintained than some, other than that it's the same old - same old from one village to another. You really have to love missions - and be able to look past what the Spanish and their religious fervor did to the indigenous culture and people in order to get all these missions. Still it is a part of history I guess.
Written November 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruno S
Schwyz, Switzerland289 contributions
Sep 2015 • Solo
My driver to Batopilas told me that I could easily hike to the "cathedral" and that it would take about an hour only from the Real de Minas Hotel. Well, the sun and heat were relentlessly baking this lonesome wanderer. Having heard so much about assaults and kidnappings, I did not feel very safe whenever rock fell on the dirt road from the cliffs above or when local people came walking toward me. But I finally made it to the church.
It took me more like an hour and twenty minutes to get there. The views, however, are fantastic. The church is beautifully embedded into the natural surroundings. The interior of the church was a bit disappointing. It lacks the gold and silver you would see in other churches dating back to colonial days.
It took me more like an hour and twenty minutes to get there. The views, however, are fantastic. The church is beautifully embedded into the natural surroundings. The interior of the church was a bit disappointing. It lacks the gold and silver you would see in other churches dating back to colonial days.
Written October 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Todd2PS
Greater Palm Springs, CA263 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
This is probably not worth a trip on it's own, but since you've already braved the Creel to Batopilas road, you don't want to miss this.
It's about 4K outside of town. Make sure you stop and enjoy the view as you come into town. You can walk down and cross the cable bridge for some great shots of the church.
The church itself is closed, but the building is beautiful.
It's about 4K outside of town. Make sure you stop and enjoy the view as you come into town. You can walk down and cross the cable bridge for some great shots of the church.
The church itself is closed, but the building is beautiful.
Written March 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robpeeler2
moose jaw109 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
This is in a very remote part of Mx but very interesting, maybe not worth the trip just for the church but combined with the trip into the batopilas valley and the other sights in the area well worth the trip
Written March 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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