Popular State Guides
|
Free Traveling Guides » States » New Mexico » Northern PueblosSanta Clara Pueblo
Santa Clara Pueblo, one of the Eight Northern Pueblos, is a Tewa-speaking pueblo situated in the Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. It is located just one mile (1.6 km) south of Espanola on N. M. 30. It was constructed around 1550 when the ancestors of the Santa Clarans, who initially lived in the nearby Puye Cliff Dwellings, were forced to move into the fertile Rio Grande Valley after a drought. At present, as many as 10,658 people are living in the Pueblo. The major attraction at the Pueblo is the Santa Clara Canyon. This spectacular canyon is a deep, tree-lined retreat known for its mountain-ringed fishing lakes, picnicking, and developed campsites. However, the Canyon and the Puye Dwellings are open to public only seasonally. Besides, guided as well as self-guided tours are made available throughout the Pueblo. A trip through the pueblo is a great experience and gives a feel of the contemporary lifestyle of the Santa Clarans.
Santa Clara Pueblo is also well-known for artistic items, especially pottery, such as carved black ware, red ware with deep gravings, melon bowls, and polychrome mediums. In fact, the Pueblo is the home of Nancy Youngblood, a noted potter known for her alluring contemporary work. Also, there are several shops nearby that sell baskets and other stunning crafts. This pueblo is one of the largest pueblos and comprises of several rows of tract homes surrounding an adobe central area. Its setting across the river basin, near the magnificent black Mesa, is an incredible one. Another impressive feature of the Santa Clara Pueblo is its language program. The children are taught the native Tewa language by the artisan elders in order to preserve the identity of this ancient language.
Santa Clara Pueblo has also been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Visitor Center, popularly known as the ‘neighborhood center’, can be reached by following the main route to the old village. The famous cemetery located in this area is a primitive site, with graves adorned with plastic flowers and plain wooden crosses. The main cultural events include the corn and the harvest dances performed on the Santa Clara Feast Day observed on August 12 every year.
- Mailing Address: Santa Clara Pueblo,
PO Box 580,
Espanola, NM 87532
- Telephone: (505) 753-7326
- Hours: 9 AM - 4 PM daily (visitor center is open Monday to Friday 8 AM - 4:30 PM)
- Website: www.indianpueblo.org
|
Top 5 National Parks
- Great Smoky Mountains
- Grand Canyon
- Yosemite
- Olympic
- Yellowstone
All 58 national parks. |
