Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis

The Royal Town of the Holy Faith of Saint Francis of Assisi, or Santa Fe for short, founded by Spanish colonists in 1610, is the second oldest city founded by Europeans in the US, the oldest state capital city in the US, and the oldest city in New Mexico.  The Spanish laid out the city according to the "Laws of the Indies", established in 1573 by King Phillip II.  The town was to be laid out around a central plaza.  On its north side was the Palace of the Governors, with the church on the east.  From the plaza was a radiating grid of streets.By the time New Mexico reached statehood in 1912, the city government realized that the economic decline started when the raiload moved west, might be reversed by promoting tourism.  The city created a unified building style--the Spanish Pueblo Revival, based on work done restoring the Palace of the Governors. 

Some buildings can be seen that aren't built in that style, such as the courthouse,

but for the most part most of the buildings comply.  Today we visited the New Mexico History Museum, which is situated in the old downtown area.  In fact, the museum is built next to the excavated and restored Palace of the Governors, which is one of the museum buildings.

Inside we paid our $12 general admission, (discounts only for NM senior residents and military service people), then spent a couple of hours wandering around the four levels of information.  

While the museum was very well done and we enjoyed our visit, we would have liked to have seen more exhibits like this array of arrows (Duane happened to look up at the ceiling for this one),

Trunks of Spanish settlers who traveled the Santa Fe Trail,

more textiles like this exquisitely embroidered shawl 

and this elaborate blanket that went around the saddle for show.

Palace of the Governers was not made to look like a residence.  Instead the rooms were used general exhibit spaces.  In one we found a huge collection of religious art, a small part of which is seen below.

Along the outside wall of the Palace, special activities take place.  Today the wall was lined with Native Americans displaying their art and handmade jewelry (which is itself art).  Across the street was everyone else selling the same.

From there we got a good look at the New Mexico Museum of Art, which is across the street from the History Museum.  The Art Museum was a work of art itself, with its flowing lines front 

and back and its outdoor sculptures.

Once out of the art district, we reentered the modern city (2016 estimated population--84000) with its  confusing array of streets and lots traffic.  With the help of our GPS we made it home again.

Tomorrow we let the Eagle out to stretch his wings.

Louise and Duane