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Free Traveling Guides » States » New Mexico » Santa Fe
Santa Fe
Santa Fe, the capital and the fourth-largest city of the state of New Mexico, is the seat of the Santa Fe County. With an elevation of over 7,000 ft (2133.6 m) above sea level, Santa Fe is the highest state capital in the United States. This settlement was first established by Juan Martinez de Montoya during 1607-1608. In fact, Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the state. It became the capital of New Mexico, the 47th state in the United States, in 1912. Santa Fe has a pleasant climate characterized by cool winters and warm summers. The entire town is laid around the central Santa Fe Plaza, with the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi to the east and the Palace of the Governors to the north. Santa Fe is also well known as the primary center for arts, which reflect the multi-cultural nature of the city. There is a high concentration of artists in and near the town. One of the most popular New Mexico-based artists was Georgia O’Keeffe. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in the city is dedicated to exhibitions of her work and associated themes and artists.
Another major tourist attraction in the town is the historic Canyon Road, situated to the east of the Plaza. It is home to the third largest and the most vibrant art market in the United States. Besides, it also has the highest concentration of art galleries that exhibit a wide range of contemporary Southwestern, experimental art, and indigenous American art. In addition, there are a number of outdoor sculptures in the town, including statues of Saint Francis and Kateri Tekakwitha. The town is also popular for music and opera. The annual Santa Fe Opera productions and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival attract thousands of visitors to the town every year. The latter is mostly organized in the popular Lensic Theater, a major performing arts venue.
Santa Fe is also home to a number of world-class museums. The ones situated around the historic downtown Plaza include the New Mexico Museum of Art, the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum, the History Museum, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and the Site Santa Fe. The Site Santa Fe is well-known as the forefront for modern art presentation in the Southwest. Other Museums situated in the “Museum Hill” District include the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of International Folk Art, and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture Laboratory of Anthropology.
Tourists are also attracted to the town by the related outdoor recreational activities, such as skiing and hiking. The popular cultural event in the town is the annual Fiestas de Santa Fe. The main highlight of this event is the burning Zozobra, a 50-foot (15-m) marionette known as the “Old Man Gloom”. The architectural attractions in Santa Fe include the New Mexico State Capitol, the Loretto Chapel, the San Miguel Mission, and the Santuario de Guadalupe. The major attractions nearby include the town of Taos, Ski Santa Fe, and the historic Bandelier National Monument. Santa Fe has a lot to offer to residents and visitors alike and it is place well worth visiting at least once.
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