San Juan Skyway
Christ of the Mines Shrine, CO

Overlooking Silverton is the Christ of the Mines Shrine. The shrine stands on the Anvil Mountains and was placed on the hill by local townspeople. The statue is twelve tons and was carved in Italy with marble quarried from the same quarry as the marble used for Michelangelo's David. The Catholic Church ordered the statue from Italy at a time in Silverton's history when the mining was not too prosperous. It was hoped that the shrine would bring back former prosperity. A plaque near this shrine reads: In thanksgiving to Christ of the Mines for deliverance of the entire work force when Lake Emma flooded Sunnyside Mine June 4 (Sunday, mine closed) 1978. Today the shrine stands as a tribute to the mining heritage of the area.