Have You Seen Cano’s Castle, Colorado’s Very Peculiar Shrine For Jesus?

It's likely you did not realize that Colorado has a "shrine for Jesus,"  but we do.

The Shrine for Jesus in Antonito, Colorado

You will find the  "Shrine for Jesus" in the tiny Colorado town of Antonito, located along the Colorado/New Mexico border. The town is small, but it's known for having the oldest church in the entire state, and a terminus for the historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

Dispensaries, A Night Club, and A Castle

It's somewhat ironic that this town of fewer than 1,000 people hosts three marijuana dispensaries, the historic Golden Nugget Night Club, as well as the so-called "Shrine for Jesus."

The peculiar house in Antonito is also known as Cano's Castle - a set of four towers built by Donald "Cano" Espinoza a Native American Vietnam veteran. The castle is a way of saying thanks for having his life spared during the Vietnam war.

Mary Jane and Jesus

Espinoza says his main influences for the castle are "Vitamin Mary Jane" and Jesus. "There were extra kind people - my mother and my grandma - they inspired me to do something of this nature," he told 4 Corners TV. Hoping to sell the castle one day, Espinoza said "I already talked to Jesus and Jesus said $350 million. Ninety percent  is Jesus' and he's giving me ten percent."

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Beer Cans and Hubcaps

What's distinct about the structure is that it is covered in beer cans, hubcaps, and other scrap metal. The castle is actually four structures - the "king" the "queen", the "palace" and the "rook".