San Gabriel de Yungue-Ouinge

San Gabriel de Yungue-Ouinge was the first Spanish settlement in New Mexico and sits where the Rio Chama meets the Rio Grande. The site contains the remains of buildings, religious structures, and military installations from that early colonial period.

Governor Juan de Oñate founded this settlement in 1598 as the first capital of Spanish New Mexico. The location served only briefly as the administrative center before the Spanish relocated southward to Santa Fe.

The site reveals how two worlds came together when Spanish settlers arrived with their religious practices and building styles alongside Pueblo communities who maintained their own traditions. Walking through the area, visitors can sense the layering of these different ways of living that happened here centuries ago.

A memorial cross marks the former settlement, reachable from New Mexico State Road 74. The site is an open outdoor area, so bring water and sun protection when visiting.

Excavations uncovered military barracks that reveal how Spanish colonizers secured control over the territory. These structures provide glimpses into the everyday realities of early colonial life beyond what official records tell us.

Location: New Mexico

GPS coordinates: 36.05722,-106.08361

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:51