Santa Fe Revisited Historical Tour: Loretto Chapel, 109 Palace & More
by Ana Pacheco
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$160Overview
This walking tour covers key historical sites in Santa Fe over about two hours and 15 minutes. The guide is a local historian whose family has lived in Santa Fe since 1692 and who served as the city historian from 2015 to 2017. The tour begins at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, where visitors learn about La Conquistadora, the oldest Madonna in the U.S., and the history of Santa Fe Plaza, Loretto Chapel, and San Miguel Mission, the oldest church in the country. It also includes an overview of 400 years of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and American history in Santa Fe, the oldest U.S. capital city. The group then visits 109 East Palace, which served as a military checkpoint for the Manhattan Project during World War II. Afterward, the tour stops at the Palace of the Governors, the oldest government building in the United States, where the history of New Mexico’s 19 Indian Pueblos is discussed. The New Mexico State Capitol, known as the Roundhouse, is shown next, focusing on its unique architecture inspired by Native American symbols. The tour continues to Loretto Chapel, built in 1878 with Gothic-Revival design inspired by Saint Chapelle in Paris. The chapel is famous for its spiral staircase constructed between 1877 and 1881, which appears to have no visible support and is called the Miraculous Staircase. Although closed as a church in 1968, it now functions as a museum. The final stop is Burro Alley, a small street once used by vendors who tied up their burros while selling salt and firewood in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The alley also had saloons, brothels, and a gambling hall run by María Gertrudis Barceló, known as Doña Tules. The tour guide provides detailed historical information about all these sites. A professional tour guide is included in the price.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
This stop covers La Conquistadora, the oldest Madonna in the United States, located at the Cathedral Basilica. Visitors learn about the Santa Fe Plaza, Loretto Chapel, and the San Miguel Mission church, the oldest church in the country. The guide explains the art and architectural history of Santa Fe, including four centuries of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and American influences in the city, which is the oldest capital city in the U.S.
10 min
109 East Palace
109 East Palace was the military checkpoint used during World War II for the Manhattan Project. The guide provides historical context about its role in that period.
5 min
Palace of the Governors
This stop focuses on the Palace of the Governors, the oldest government building in the U.S., and includes information about the history of New Mexico's 19 Indian Pueblos.
10 min
New Mexico State Capitol (Roundhouse)
Visitors learn about the New Mexico State Capitol, known as the Roundhouse, which is the only U.S. government building designed to resemble a Native American symbol.
Loretto Chapel
Loretto Chapel was built in 1878 by Archbishop Lamy for the Sisters of Light Loretto Academy. The chapel’s Gothic-Revival design was inspired by Saint Chapelle in Paris, restored by architect Antoine Mouly. It features the Miraculous Staircase, built between 1877 and 1881 with no visible support, attributed to St. Joseph the Carpenter. The chapel was deconsecrated in 1968 and now operates as a private museum.
10 min
Burro Alley
Burro Alley is a small street connecting Palace Avenue and San Francisco Street. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, vendors tied their burros there while selling salt and firewood. Nearby saloons, brothels, and a gambling hall run by María Gertrudis Barceló, called Doña Tules, were frequented by these vendors.
5 min
Meeting point
In front of the Basilica Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Santa Fe Revisited Historical Tour: Loretto Chapel, 109 Palace & More
by Ana Pacheco
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$160Overview
This walking tour covers key historical sites in Santa Fe over about two hours and 15 minutes. The guide is a local historian whose family has lived in Santa Fe since 1692 and who served as the city historian from 2015 to 2017. The tour begins at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, where visitors learn about La Conquistadora, the oldest Madonna in the U.S., and the history of Santa Fe Plaza, Loretto Chapel, and San Miguel Mission, the oldest church in the country. It also includes an overview of 400 years of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and American history in Santa Fe, the oldest U.S. capital city. The group then visits 109 East Palace, which served as a military checkpoint for the Manhattan Project during World War II. Afterward, the tour stops at the Palace of the Governors, the oldest government building in the United States, where the history of New Mexico’s 19 Indian Pueblos is discussed. The New Mexico State Capitol, known as the Roundhouse, is shown next, focusing on its unique architecture inspired by Native American symbols. The tour continues to Loretto Chapel, built in 1878 with Gothic-Revival design inspired by Saint Chapelle in Paris. The chapel is famous for its spiral staircase constructed between 1877 and 1881, which appears to have no visible support and is called the Miraculous Staircase. Although closed as a church in 1968, it now functions as a museum. The final stop is Burro Alley, a small street once used by vendors who tied up their burros while selling salt and firewood in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The alley also had saloons, brothels, and a gambling hall run by María Gertrudis Barceló, known as Doña Tules. The tour guide provides detailed historical information about all these sites. A professional tour guide is included in the price.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
This stop covers La Conquistadora, the oldest Madonna in the United States, located at the Cathedral Basilica. Visitors learn about the Santa Fe Plaza, Loretto Chapel, and the San Miguel Mission church, the oldest church in the country. The guide explains the art and architectural history of Santa Fe, including four centuries of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and American influences in the city, which is the oldest capital city in the U.S.
10 min
109 East Palace
109 East Palace was the military checkpoint used during World War II for the Manhattan Project. The guide provides historical context about its role in that period.
5 min
Palace of the Governors
This stop focuses on the Palace of the Governors, the oldest government building in the U.S., and includes information about the history of New Mexico's 19 Indian Pueblos.
10 min
New Mexico State Capitol (Roundhouse)
Visitors learn about the New Mexico State Capitol, known as the Roundhouse, which is the only U.S. government building designed to resemble a Native American symbol.
Loretto Chapel
Loretto Chapel was built in 1878 by Archbishop Lamy for the Sisters of Light Loretto Academy. The chapel’s Gothic-Revival design was inspired by Saint Chapelle in Paris, restored by architect Antoine Mouly. It features the Miraculous Staircase, built between 1877 and 1881 with no visible support, attributed to St. Joseph the Carpenter. The chapel was deconsecrated in 1968 and now operates as a private museum.
10 min
Burro Alley
Burro Alley is a small street connecting Palace Avenue and San Francisco Street. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, vendors tied their burros there while selling salt and firewood. Nearby saloons, brothels, and a gambling hall run by María Gertrudis Barceló, called Doña Tules, were frequented by these vendors.
5 min
Meeting point
In front of the Basilica Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.