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Santa Fe Plaza
Mirroring the traditional Spanish-American colonial cities, the Santa Fe Plaza is a National Historic Landmark in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. The "city-square" was originally, and is still to this day, the center gathering place in town, or as many know it "the heart of Santa Fe." The landmark has since grown into a playground for many tourists interested in Spanish, Indian, and Mexican cultures including music, design, jewelry, art and dance. Known simply as the "Plaza," it is home to annual events including Fiestas, the Spanish Market, and the Santa Fe Indian Market.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Plaza consists of a central park lined with grass, trees, and benches, which add to the cultural scenery, especially at Christmas time when the Plaza streets and buildings glow with farolitos and the trees with lights. Included in the park is an Indian War Memorial monument and a performing arts stage as well.
Encompassed in the general Plaza area are historic monuments, restaurants, businesses and art galleries, including the Palace of the Governors (the oldest public building in the U.S.), the New Mexico Museum of Art, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, and the Loretto Chapel. In true pueblo fashion, the Plaza architecture is traditional adobe. The Plaza dates back to the early 1700s when Santa Fe was settled by conquistadors. Until the mid-19th century, the Plaza lacked landscaping and ownership of the area transitioned between the Spaniards and the Mexicans throughout the earlier years.
Santa Fe Area Attractions:
Historic Plaza and Downtown
Canyon Road Fine Arts District
Palace of the Governors
Museum Hill
Museum of Fine Arts
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
The Santa Fe Opera
Santa Fe Railyard
Santa Fe City
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> Go to New Mexico's Regions page
