Taos Pueblo is the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the USA. Home of the Red Willow community. Located at the base of the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountain range. Designated as a UNESCO World heritage site in 1992. The Taos Pueblo people do not detail their history because of religious purposes. They have lived here for over a thousand years. They were established here long before Columbus discovered America and hundreds of years before Europe emerged from the dark ages. Their native language is Tiwa. Some of the building were constructed between 1000-1450 A.D. Even though, only about 150 people actually live in the Taos Pueblo year round. In order to keep the place traditional, the few who do live here have no electricity, plumbing or running water.
Fun Fact
- The Pueblo is made entirely from adobe. Adobe is created by mixing earth, straw and water together. Originally, they made balls out of this mixture and stacked them together. When Coronado arrived, he showed them how to use the same mixture to make blocks which dry in the sun, they they are stacked together like bricks. Also the mixture is used to pour over these blocks to create a uniform surface. Since these surfaces wear away with the wind and rain, they must be constantly be re plastered.
- Taos Pueblo can only enter a cemetery on “All Souls day” or on the day of someones burial.
The Red Willow People revolt over and over
The first Spanish settlers arrived in 1540 but they did not start to impose their religion until 1620 when they built the first catholic church. Taos Pueblo resisted the new religion. As a result. by 1660 they had destroyed the church. Obviously the Spaniards were not going to give up that easy and they rebuilt the church. Once again Taos Pueblo revolted. A ten years after it was rebuilt, the Pueblo revolt of 1680 began and the church was destroyed again.
The final revolt
The resistance reduced dramatically in the 18th century when the pueblo people were at odds with the Ute and Comanche tribes. The Spaniards took advantage of this period by creating allies with the pueblo. Now that the Spaniards and Taos were cooperating, the Spaniards were able to rebuild the church and impose the catholic religion upon Taos. It was peaceful until 1847, during the Mexican-American war, when the people of Taos Pueblo revolted again. After killing governor Charles Bent, they took refuge in the church. American troops bombarded the church, killing the rebels and they destroyed the church. Which was rebuilt in a slightly different location on the property in 1850. This building is the church that still stands today.
Hours
Open daily during the summer months
| Monday – Saturday | 8:00 am – 4:30 pm |
| Sunday | 8:30 – 4:30 pm |
Closed for community events and ceremonies.
Admission
$16 adult
Tours begin at 9:00 am and run every 20-30 minutes. Since the people giving the tours do not receive a salary. Donations are welcome.
Rules
- This is a living community, please respect the Restricted area signs, do not enter homes that are not marked as businesses.
- Do not photograph the locals without asking permission first.
- No photography inside the chapel.
- Do not enter or litter the river, it is their only source of drinking water.
- Please do not enter the cemetery, they are sacred grounds.
Accommodations
The closest accommodations are in Taos, New Mexico. My link will search through all the online sites to find you the best price available. By purchasing your trip through my link, this site will earn a small commission on your purchase. Rest assured that it will not cost you anything extra! In Fact, the only difference is that this site will earn a commission instead of another booking site. Thank your sponsorship!
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