Enjoy the cute townscape and American history! Recommended spots in Santa Fe

Santa Fe is the capital of the state of New Mexico in the United States. It is the second oldest city after St. Augustine, Florida, and is also known as the "Jewel of America." As its name suggests, there are many valuable clues that allow us to learn about the history of Native Americans and Spanish settlers, such as the oldest house in America and a statue of the Virgin Mary. The scenery of the rows of reddish-brown buildings made of sand, clay, and straw, known as adobe, in the city of Santa Fe is unique and attractive. The cute streets filled with various colors are enjoyable even just to walk around. It is also famous as an art town where art from all over the world is gathered. Here are some recommended spots in Santa Fe.

1. San Miguel Church

San Miguel Church is said to be the oldest church in America. It is unclear when it was first built, but it is said to have been built around 1610, before the founding of the United States. Over the 400 years since its construction, the church has been destroyed and rebuilt many times due to conflicts between indigenous peoples and settlers. Inside, you can see the words "Rebuilt in 1710."

The red clay exterior is beautiful, but the simple beauty of the alter screen at the front of the interior is a must-see. The oldest bell in America, the Bell of San Jose, was cast in the 1300s, and there is a legend that if you ring it, you will one day return to Santa Fe. San Miguel Church is full of Santa Fe spirit, so be sure to visit it as a tourist.

2. America's Oldest House

The "Oldest House in America" is located just behind San Miguel Church. It is unknown when it was built as there are no records, but it is thought to have been around 1200. The area is called the Barrio Anarco Historic District. "Anarco" is a Native American word from Mexico that means "beyond the water," indicating that they crossed the Santa Fe River and settled on this highland.

You can enjoy the tour even more if you imagine the people and their lives at that time. Why not visit it together with San Miguel Church?

3. Loretto Chapel

The small Gothic chapel, Loretto Chapel, is a must-see tourist spot for mystery lovers. Inside the chapel, there is a spiral staircase called "St. Joseph's Staircase" that goes 360 degrees twice. This staircase is 6 meters high, but it does not have a central support that supports the stairs that many spiral staircases have.

Legend has it that just before the church was finished, they realized that they had forgotten to add the stairs. So the sisters prayed a nine-day novena, and an old man appeared from nowhere and built a magnificent spiral staircase all by himself. The story goes that the old man, who left without receiving any thanks, was an incarnation of St. Joseph. The pillarless stairs look like they are floating in the air, and are very intricate and highly artistic. Even if the creator was not St. Joseph, it is a wonderful work of art by a craftsman with extremely high skills.

Loretto Chapel is now used as a museum and wedding hall, but not a church. Unfortunately, the spiral staircase cannot be climbed for safety reasons, but you can view it up close along with the beautiful church from 140 years ago.

4. St. Francis Cathedral

The Romanesque-style St. Francis Cathedral is famous for housing America's oldest statue of Mary, which was brought from Spain. The building was constructed between 1869 and 1886. In addition to the statue of Mary, there are many other sights to see, including the stately cathedral and religious paintings that are reminiscent of Europe, the fountain in the center of the cathedral, and stained glass. There is also a gift shop, so it's a great place to look for Santa Fe souvenirs.

It is one of Santa Fe's most famous tourist attractions, but the interior is quiet and cool, and there are benches, so it's perfect for a short break during your trip. It is located in downtown Santa Fe, and there are parks, museums, and galleries in the surrounding area, making it convenient for sightseeing. Be sure to visit.

5. Canyon Road

The 1km-long Canyon Road is lined with galleries on both sides. There are about 100 of them. Artists from all over the country are attracted to the free and peaceful atmosphere of this area, which is a mecca for hippies. There are a variety of art pieces, including Native American art, contemporary art, and abstract paintings. This is a Santa Fe spot that is recommended for art lovers.

Galleries continue not only on this street, but also on the back streets and even further back, making the surrounding area one of the most densely populated gallery areas in the United States. The colorful art lined up inside the Adobe building is really cute.

Also, the Christmas Eve event is a must-see. It is an event where the street itself becomes art, with the street filled with small lanterns called farolitos, made from paper bags and sand. Be sure to visit this art spot that represents Santa Fe.

6. Martyrs' Cross

The large white Martyrs' Cross, about 8 meters high and weighing 76 tons, stands on top of a hill in Santa Fe. It was built to commemorate the deaths of 21 Franciscan friars and Spanish colonists who were killed during the Pueblo Revolt in 1680, when Native Americans rose up against Spanish colonists. Incidentally, this revolt succeeded in driving the Spanish out to El Paso.

From here you can get a panoramic view of Santa Fe, and it's a popular spot for tourists, especially for the sunset and night views. It's close to the center of town, and the whole area is a park with a promenade, making it perfect for a stroll.

7. New Mexico History Museum

The best place to learn about the history of Santa Fe is the New Mexico History Museum. Here you can learn about the history of Santa Fe and the New Mexico region going back 400 years. There are exhibits about the Native Americans, the Spanish colonization, and the Santa Fe Trail.

The Santa Fe Trail was one of the routes used in the American westward development in the 19th century. It connected New Mexico to Missouri and was a key point for traffic and trade between the United States and New Mexico, which was then part of Mexico. However, it later became a route for the United States to invade New Mexico. This route is designated as the Santa Fe National Historic Highway.

This relatively new museum has easy-to-understand exhibits and detailed explanations. If you are interested in the history of Santa Fe, be sure to stop by.

8. Pecos National Historical Park

Pecos National Historical Park is located about an hour's drive southeast of central Santa Fe. Here you can see ruins that were once inhabited by the native Pecos tribe. At its peak, it was said to have been a thriving town with a population of about 2,000 people. However, it was discovered by Spanish explorers, and the Spanish invasion began. The Pecos rebelled and abandoned the area, leaving only the ruins behind.

Today, it is a hiking trail where you can enjoy viewing the ruins. Why not stop by during a drive in Santa Fe and experience the history?

9. Rafting on the Rio Grande River

If you want to enjoy an activity in between sightseeing in Santa Fe, we recommend rafting on the Rio Grande River. The 3,000 km long river that flows northwest of Santa Fe is one of the longest in the United States. This river was once the border between Mexico and the United States. This historic river has been designated an American Heritage River.

You can raft or kayak down this river. It's very refreshing to go down between the lush mountains. There are gentle courses, but be careful as there are rocky and steep sections along the way. You can choose between a full-day course or a half-day course, and it's a tourist spot where you can also enjoy a barbecue.

10. Camel Rock

If you drive north from the center of Santa Fe for about 20 minutes, you will come across a large rock with an interesting shape called "Camel Rock." It looks like a camel is sitting with its head upright. Its head sticks out, but it is well-balanced and stable. From a distance, it looks like it is resting with its legs bent in a desert trekking area.

There are no tourist attractions in the surrounding area, so it may not be worth going out of your way to visit. You can see it from the highway, so if you are planning to drive north from Santa Fe, be sure to check it out.

◎Summary

The city of Santa Fe, lined with adobe buildings, is fairytale-like and reminiscent of a fairy tale world. Windows, flowers and other accessories stand out even more vividly, and you can't help but take pictures of the adorable scenery.

Santa Fe can be called the ancient capital of the United States. Contrary to its beautiful streetscape, it is also a place where the history of the native people's suffering, such as colonization by the Spanish and invasion by the United States, is deeply engraved. Enjoy the charm of Santa Fe, which has many different sides, on your sightseeing trip.

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Enjoy the cute townscape and American history! Recommended spots in Santa Fe