Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe

Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe (must see)

Located on the north side of the Santa Fe Plaza, the Palace of the Governors is the oldest continuously occupied building in the United States made by European settlers. It was erected by order of the Spanish Crown in 1610. It was the administrative center of the colony.

The building itself has changed dramatically over the years. As you see it today, it was designated as the home of the Museum of New Mexico in 1909. At that time, the Palace was renovated using Spanish-Pueblo Revival styles so prevalent in the state. Through Spanish colonial life, the Pueblo Revolt, Mexican rule in the 1800s, years as an American territory, and finally as an American state, the Palace has remained the center of Sante Fean life.

The Palace is part of the New Mexico History Museum complex, which includes the building behind the Palace as well. Inside you will find history exhibits and displays about the Palace and the stories of the people who settled the area.

Why You Should Visit:
Along the block-long portal that faces the Plaza, you'll often find many Native American artists selling handmade traditional jewelry and crafts.

As the primary state history museum, the site holds the most extensive collection of objects and photographs documenting the region's history. For example, the Segesser Hide Paintings are rare hide paintings of Spanish colonial battles, circa the 1700s. The Ben Wittisk Collection features glass plate negatives and photographic prints from the late nineteenth century.

Tips:
Check into the downtown walking tours offered by the museum docents. There are also tours available of the museum and the Palace of the Governors.

With the tours and exhibits, give yourself several hours to soak in the entire experience at the Palace. And don't forget to check out the rest of the museum in the newer building.

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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Palace of the Governors on Map

Sight Name: Palace of the Governors
Sight Location: Santa Fe, USA (See walking tours in Santa Fe)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Santa Fe, New Mexico

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