This adobe church is located in a 1,000-year-old pueblo. With white and brown rock that stands brilliant against the blue New Mexican sky, the San Geronimo Chapel is a must-see for all travelers, no matter your background or religion.
The main buildings in Taos Pueblo were constructed sometime between 1000 and 1450 AD, making them some of the oldest lived-in structures in the United States today.
S. Greg Panosian / E+ Collection via Getty Images Early Spanish explorers thought the pueblo was one of seven golden cities scattered throughout New Mexican land.
The San Geronimo Chapel that stands today is not the original church; it was constructed in 1850, making it significantly newer than the rest of the village.
Shanna Baker/robertharding via GettyImages
The original church was built in 1619, but was destroyed in 1680 during the Spanish Revolt.
Timothy K Hamilton / Flickr It was quickly rebuilt and lasted until 1847 when the US Army destroyed it again during the War with Mexico.
The ruins of the original church can still be seen on the pueblo’s lands.
ShaniMiller / iStock/Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images A lone bell tower stands amidst a graveyard of crosses, a reminder of the past and a warning for the future.
The church is Catholic, but the Taos people acknowledge and pay tribute to their Native American traditions.
Carodean Road Designs / Flickr They practice both Catholicism and ancient indigenous religious rites inside of the chapel.
The pueblo is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day, but special ceremonies done inside the church are exclusive to the Tiwa tribe.
Tashka via Getty Images
Taos Pueblo is located near Taos, New Mexico, off of 120 Veterans Highway. It is a must-see destination for any traveler interested in the history of the United States and places of worship. Not to mention, the views are spectacular!
S. Greg Panosian / E+ Collection via Getty Images
Early Spanish explorers thought the pueblo was one of seven golden cities scattered throughout New Mexican land.
Shanna Baker/robertharding via GettyImages
Timothy K Hamilton / Flickr
It was quickly rebuilt and lasted until 1847 when the US Army destroyed it again during the War with Mexico.
ShaniMiller / iStock/Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
A lone bell tower stands amidst a graveyard of crosses, a reminder of the past and a warning for the future.
Carodean Road Designs / Flickr
They practice both Catholicism and ancient indigenous religious rites inside of the chapel.
Tashka via Getty Images
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Address: Taos Pueblo, NM, USA
