The Oldest Church in the US & Santa Fe

It’s widely said that the United States—especially the American West, developed only in the past two centuries—lacks deep history. But there’s one exception: Santa Fe, New Mexico. If we exclude Puerto Rico, Santa Fe is the oldest state capital in the U.S., dating all the way back to 1610. 😮 So much for a “history-less” country! Here’s the backstory: After conquering the Aztec Empire and solidifying power in Mexico, the Spanish heard local tales of the “Seven Cities of Cibola” 🏙️✨—legendary lands filled with gold lying to the north. Driven by greed, they sent expeditions north into what is now New Mexico. What they found were clusters of adobe villages. The Spanish called the farming communities “Puebloans” (meaning “villagers”) and demanded to know where the gold was. The Puebloans, cleverly, pointed them toward the Great Plains of eastern Colorado. While Colorado did have gold—hidden deep in the Rocky Mountains—the Spanish never found it. Typical of their colonial approach, they established a settlement in the regional trade center: Santa Fe. Here they built the oldest standing church in the U.S.: San Miguel Chapel. ⛪🕰️ Over time, the Spanish adopted local Indigenous adobe building methods. This style evolved into today’s “Pueblo Revival architecture”—the iconic look of Santa Fe and much of New Mexico. Honestly, it kinda resembles Kashgar, Xinjiang… but a less refined, more rustic version. 🧱 Santa Fe itself feels like a mini Cusco… but with fewer things to do. Beyond a handful of museums, souvenir shops, and picturesque resort façades, there isn’t a ton to explore. The main plaza? In my opinion, it’s not as charming as Old Town Albuquerque. The must-sees are the oldest church and the oldest house nearby—though you can cover both in under 30 minutes. ⏳ Where Santa Fe truly shines is its surroundings: national monuments and hiking trails 🥾🌄. That’s why I’d recommend it less for sightseeing and more as a relaxing getaway. Book a nice hotel, eat well, and take day trips now and then. Think of it as a mini-Cusco vibe… with better margaritas. 😉 #Travele #Santa Fe #NewMexico #AmericanWest #OldestChurch