Santa Fe Plaza
Encyclopedia
Mirroring the traditional Spanish-American colonial cities, the Santa Fe Plaza is a National Historic Landmark
in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico
. The plaza
, or "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, Native American, and Mexican cultures, including music, design, jewelry, art and dance. Known simply as the "Plaza," it is home to annual events including Fiestas de Santa Fe
, the Spanish Market, the Santa Fe Bandstand, 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 occasional luminaria
, and trees glow with lights. Included in the park is an American Indian War Memorial monument as well as a performing arts stage.
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
. Just 16 miles (25.7 km) from the Santa Fe ski basin, the Plaza dates back to the early 18th century when Santa Fe was settled by conquistador
s. 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.
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
. The plaza
Plaza
Plaza is a Spanish word related to "field" which describes an open urban public space, such as a city square. All through Spanish America, the plaza mayor of each center of administration held three closely related institutions: the cathedral, the cabildo or administrative center, which might be...
, or "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, Native American, and Mexican cultures, including music, design, jewelry, art and dance. Known simply as the "Plaza," it is home to annual events including Fiestas de Santa Fe
Fiestas de Santa Fe
Fiestas de Santa Fe is a festival held every autumn in Santa Fe, New Mexico, usually during the second week of September.-History:Fiestas de Santa Fe has been held annually since 1712 to celebrate the Reconquest of the city in 1692 by Spanish colonists led by General Don Diego de Vargas...
, the Spanish Market, the Santa Fe Bandstand, and the Santa Fe Indian Market
Santa Fe Indian Market
Santa Fe Indian Market is an annual art market held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA over two days on the weekend after the third Thursday in August and draws an estimated 100,000 people to the city from around the world. The Market was first held in 1922 as the Indian Fair and was sponsored by the...
.
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 occasional luminaria
Luminaria (vigil fire)
A luminaria is a traditional small bonfire typically used during Las Posadas, a 9-day celebration culminating on Christmas Eve . The luminaria is widely used in Santa Fe, New Mexico...
, and trees glow with lights. Included in the park is an American Indian War Memorial monument as well as a performing arts stage.
Encompassed in the general Plaza area are historic monuments, restaurants, businesses and art galleries, including the Palace of the Governors
Palace of the Governors
The Palace of the Governors is an adobe structure located on Palace Avenue on the Plaza of Santa Fe, New Mexico between Palace Avenue and Washington Street. It is within the Santa Fe Historic District and it served as the seat of government for the State of New Mexico for centuries...
(the oldest public building in the U.S.), the New Mexico Museum of Art
New Mexico Museum of Art
The New Mexico Museum of Art , the oldest art museum in the state of New Mexico, is one of four state-run museums in Santa Fe...
, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, commonly known as Saint Francis Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe....
, and the Loretto Chapel
Loretto Chapel
The Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA is a former Roman Catholic church that is now used as a museum and wedding chapel. It is known for its unusual helix shaped spiral staircase , that may have been created by French carpenter Francois-Jean "Frenchy" Rochas, although the Sisters of...
. In true pueblo fashion, the Plaza architecture is traditional adobe
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
. Just 16 miles (25.7 km) from the Santa Fe ski basin, the Plaza dates back to the early 18th century when Santa Fe was settled by conquistador
Conquistador
Conquistadors were Spanish soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who brought much of the Americas under the control of Spain in the 15th to 16th centuries, following Europe's discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492...
s. 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.
Historical Context
"Santa Fe Plaza has been the commercial, social and political center of Santa Fe since c. 1610 when it was established by Don Pedro de Peralta. The original Plaza was a presidio (fort) surrounded by a large defensive wall that enclosed residences, barracks, a chapel, a prison and the Governor's palace. Eventually the wall gave way to large houses built by high ranking Spanish officers and officials. In 1822 the famed Santa Fe Trail, a trade route from New Mexico to St. Louis, was opened with its terminus in the Plaza. Today the Plaza is ringed by structures in the Pueblo, Spanish and Territorial styles that reflect its diverse history. Among the most noted are the original palacio, the Palace of the Governors, built between 1610 and 1612 and San Miguel Mission, a noted landmark c. 1640, and one of the oldest churches in the United States."
"The Plaza is Santa Fe’s historic, cultural and geographic center. In the early days, it was found at the end of El Camino Real (the Spanish Royal Road from Mexico City), the Santa Fe Trail, and the Old Pecos Trail. Today, the Plaza is surrounded by restaurants, shops and museums and it serves as a gathering place for both locals and tourists. Many seasonal community events are held at the Plaza, and it is then filled to capacity with people enjoying the magic that is 'The City Different'.”
Observations
"The Santa Fe Plaza is a relatively small urban park, visited by 100,000 visitors annually. It is used for over a half-dozen events per year, drawing another 25,000 people and causing considerable impact on the plaza landscape."