Walking Tour of Downtown Santa Fe

New Mexico State Capitol

Santa Fe has a very pleasant and unique downtown area that is called old town. We obtained a very detailed walking tour map of this area from the visitor center, which is located directly across from the state capital building at the beginning of the tour route.

The capital building constructed in 1966 in the New Mexico Territorial Style, which is an adaptation of Greek Revival and Pueblo adobe architecture. 

The building is constructed in the round.

The central floor contains the official Zia sun symbol, representing a circular sun with linear rays extending in four directions.

A dome tops the center core of the building.

We visited both the House and the Senate Chambers which are almost identical in appearance.

San Miguel Church

The oldest church building in the U.S., built in 1610.

This original altar was built by the Tlaxcalan Tribe under the direction of the Franciscan Padres.

De Vargas Street House "The Oldest House"

This is one of the oldest houses in America, sitting on the foundation of an ancient pueblo dated around 1200.

Loretto Chapel

The Loretto Chapel was built in 1873 for a girl's school by the Sisters of Loretto.

Loretto Chapel is best known for its "miraculous" spiral staircase, which rises 20 feet to the choir loft, without the support of a newel or central pole. The staircase is built mostly out of wood and is held together by wooden pegs no glue, nails or other hardware. The church was originally built without a stairway to the choir loft. Ladders were used. The Sisters agreed, a staircase was needed, but most architects agreed that to build one would detract too much from the space inside the Chapel. So, the Sisters prayed for nine days to St. Joseph for a solution. God sent a carpenter (whom the Sisters believed was St. Joseph himself) and he took six months to construct this impressive staircase and then after it was finished, disappeared into the night. To this day, architects are amazed at this construction.

Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

This beautiful cathedral was built between 1869 and 1886.

This elaborate baptismal font is located in the center of sanctuary.

St. Peter and St. Paul in stained glass

Santa Fe Art District

Santa Fe is well known for its Arts District

One of the many studios in the downtown area.

Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

We spent about an hour going through a very nice collection of Georgia O'Keeffe's work.

Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986)

Ram's Head, Blue Morning Glory, 1938 (Virginia's favorite)

This one was Kurt's favorite

Cross of the Martyrs

The cross which overlooks Santa Fe, was erected in the early part of the 20th century to honor the twenty-one Franciscan priests who were martyred during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.