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Santa Fe is located at 7,000 elevation in New Mexico and is the highest and the oldest state capital in the United States. This city was founded in 1610 by Spanish explorers traveling into Indian country. Flags of nations have flown over the ancient Palace of the Governors. These nations include Spain, the Confederacy, the United States and Mexico. New Mexico became a state in 1912. It was named La Ciudad del Santa Fe de San Francisco de Assor or "The City of the Holy Faith of Saint Francis of Assisi." It is located in a valley of the Rito de Santa Fe and the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Jemez Range is to the West and to the South is the Sandia Mountains. Santa Fe is on Interstate 25 and U.S. Highways 84 and 285 are the highways by which you can travel to the city. Albuquerque is the nearest airport but there are many commuter buses and local airlines to the airport.
Snow can be seen on the peaks of the Sangre de cristo Mountains even in early summer. Summer rains in July appear in the valley with an average annual rainfall of l4.34 inches. Tourists are always welcome in this wonderful town of Santa Fe. There are many brown adobe houses and narrow street. Roads wind through the town and at night the views are spectacular. There are one hundred year old trees, red Chile Ristras hanging in doorways and just a peaceful feeling exists in this beautiful town.
The oldest church in America is San Miguel chapel at 40l Old Santa Fe trail, built in the 1600's by the Tlaxcala Indians. The church was damaged in a Pueblo revolt in 1680 and was rebuilt in 1710. Parking is available near the church so you will want to take a walking tour of the church and then the central plaza. The "famous staircase", Escalera Famos, is in the Loretto Chapel, built in 1873 for the Sisters of Our Lady of Light who started a school for young ladies in Santa Fe.
The staircase seems to stand with no support. The legend is that a carpenter appeared and built this staircase in the chapel and left without even waiting for payment for his services. The chapel is located at 211 Old Santa Fe Trail. On San Franciso St. and Cathedral place off the central plaza is St. Francis Cathedral. It was build by French archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy in 1869. You will want to see the wooden statues of St. Francis of Assisi and the La Conquistador while in the area.
The central plaza has many of gift shops located in a square area, also great places to enjoy the delicious Santa Fe food in the area. You can sit on benches in the square and just enjoy a little rest then continue walking around the area as many interesting shops are within a block or so of this central square. There will be local Indians selling their arts and crafts on the sidewalks of the square. The Palace of the Governors is on the north side of the central plaza. It is the oldest seat of government in the United States, and was build in 1609-1610 before the Declaration of Independence was signed in North American. This is a museum of history for New Mexico, as the museum was established in 1913. The Museum of Fine Arts, is west from the Palace of the Governors and has over 8,000 art piece. Georgia O'Keeffe is featured along with other New Mexican artists.
There are several other museums in the area such as the Museum of Indians Arts and Culture located about 2 miles southeast of the central plaza. There are exhibitions of the masterworks of Southwestern Indian culture. The Indian Arts Museum at 1369 Cerrillos Road has art of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe.
The Rio Grande River flows north of Santa Fe and offers white water rafting. The Rio grande flows swiftly after the snow melts in the spring. There are outfitters and guides for white water rafting. Golf is available in the area. Horse racing is available from the end of May through Labor Day just a few miles south of town. Fishing is available in numerous trout streams and lakes in the area. You can hike in the Santa Fe and Carson national forests and hunting is available in season. Skiing is also available in the area if you are an avid skier.
There are numerous motels, hotels, campgrounds in the Santa Fe area. Dining out in Santa Fe
Is always a delicious and exciting way to spend an evening. The food in the area is wondrous whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Santa Fe is just a magical city to visit, you will be so
Very glad you included this wonderful place and area in your traveling plans.
On the third weekend in August the annual Indian Market is held. This is the largest Inidan arts and crafts show in the world. There is a Spanish Market held the last week fo July, with many Hispanic arts and crafts. During July and August the Santa Fe Opera always presents five operas with performances by the Desert Chorale. On Labor Day weekend Santa Fe has their annual Fiesta. This Fiesta is a celebration of the reconquest of Santa Fe by Don Diego de Vargas in 1682 and has been taking place for over 300 years. There are parades, bands, and dancing and singing. Mass is held on Friday morning with the Pregon de fiesta and mass at Rosario chapel by the Archbishop of Santa Fe. At the end of the festival there is an effigy burning of Zozobra, "Old Man Gloom," to make way for the joy of the new year.
You will want to see another older church, located on Upper Canyon Road, Cristo Rey Church.
This is the oldest modern adobe structure standing. Dirt from the site was used to make the adobe bricks. Some of the greatest artwork of the Spanish colonial period in New Mexico can be seen in the church. They are called reredos, "stone altar screens."
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