Santa Fe - A Favorite City

Spanish Design

An old world flavor and appeal, large with expansive rooms

and arches with lots of rounded corners on the exterior are

qualties that make up a Spanish style home.

Patterned tile floors and wall surfaces, carved doors, spiral

columns, and grand courtyards are some of the things you will find in a

typical Spanish design.

Rammed-Earth Design

The corners are sharp and defined and the walls are

thick providing good insulation from the heat of the desert southwest.

Rammed-earth is a combination of soil and concrete compacted

into forms. When the forms are removed solid earth walls remain giving a

layered effect much like a rock wall along a river.

Mediterranean Design

Territorial homes are similar to Santa Fe style, in that the flat roof

are often made of stucco or brick on the exterior. A true territorial home will not have viga beams. It wont have a wood lintels above the windows and doorways. The rectangular shape will be higher in the walls and corresponding ceilings. There will be porticos around the outside of the homewith a series of connecting arches.

Santa Fe, the oldest capital in the U.S, was called the

"City of the Holy Faith" by the Spanish in the 17th century.

At the time Spanish soldiers, officials, and Franciscan

missionaries struggled to conquer and convert the native Pueblo

Indians. In a massive revolt, the Indians attacked and nearly

burned all of Santa Fe to the ground. The Spaniards were able to

regain control and the celebration of that event is celebrated each

year in Santa Fe.

Native Americans offer a wide variety of jewelry and other

hand-made crafts during La Fiesta.

Flags of family crests lining one side of the Plaza feature names

of long-time New Mexico families.

Fiesta de Santa Fe is four days of celebration with an arts-and-crafts
market, food booths, & multi-cultural entertainment.

Zozobra, or fondly referred to as, "Old Man Gloom". awaits his last
howl of outrage before being consigned to a fiery flame with thousands
chanting, "Go away gloom."

According to Santa Fe's favorite legend, the Zozobra will not have his way.

Marcy Park around 6pm, the whole town of Santa Fe

gathers as the Zozobra is set ablaze, symbolizing the

burning of all your cares and worries. Fiesta de Santa Fe

a "Celebration of Life; dia de los Muertos!"