Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe

Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe (must see)

Commonly referred to as Saint Francis Cathedral, this Roman Catholic cathedral is located downtown and is the home of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. The current building was erected between 1869 and 1886 on the site of an older adobe church. The church's design stands in stark contrast with its surroundings, as it was built in the Romanesque Revival style. It features round arches with Corinthian columns and square towers. The church is also made from quarried limestone bricks instead of the adobe wall construction of Pueblo-style buildings.

The church is full of and surrounded by beautiful artwork. You'll find statues of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the diocese, along with statues of Saint Kateri and Jean-Baptiste Lamy. The Stations of the Cross Prayer Garden features 14 sculptures that show the hours leading up to Jesus' crucifixion.

Inside the church, you'll see ornate details like the engraved keystone and bronze doors. The rose window and the nave stained glass windows were imported from Clermont-Ferrand in France.

Why You Should Visit:
The church will transport you from Santa Fe to Europe with its Romanesque architecture. Interior tours feature captivating stain glasswork, while the outside gardens are sure to bring a peaceful respite from the busy city. Docents are happy to give personal tours to bring this church's history to life.

Tips:
Be sure to check the Cathedral's website for their Mass and Sacraments schedules. Don't miss the Native American Madonna, the oldest in the US.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Santa Fe. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi on Map

Sight Name: Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Sight Location: Santa Fe, USA (See walking tours in Santa Fe)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

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