San Miguel Mission, Spanish colonial mission church in Santa Fe, United States
Description
San Miguel Mission is a Spanish colonial mission station in Santa Fe, built from sun-dried adobe bricks with thick walls and a flat roof. The rectangular floor plan leads to an altar area, above which rises a three-tiered bell tower with wooden beams and bells.
History
Mexican settlers founded the chapel in the early 17th century as a place of worship for laborers and craftsmen in the colony. After destruction during the Pueblo uprising in the late 17th century, Spanish colonists rebuilt the structure in the early 18th century.
Culture
The name honors the archangel Michael, venerated in Roman Catholic tradition as a protector of the church. Wooden carvings near the altar display Latin inscriptions and religious scenes that artisans from Mexico created in the early 18th century.
Practical
The chapel sits on Old Santa Fe Trail south of the downtown plaza, accessible on foot from the city center. Visitors should note that the interior remains closed for touring on Sundays during Mass.
Did you know?
Beneath the altar foundation, archaeologists in the mid-20th century found pottery shards and jewelry that document burial practices from the early colonial period. These findings now rest in collections and offer insight into the ways of life among the first inhabitants.
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