Discovering Santa Fe, New Mexico on foot

Flapjack and I took many walks around Santa Fe stopping for a several photo ops. Flapjack has a unique ability to dress up any photo. Here Flapjack sits on a wall in the late afternoon light at the end of east San Francisco Street in front of the Saint Francis Cathedral.

Discovering Santa Fe, New Mexico on foot

One one of my walks I had a serendipitous experience as I walked along Canyon Road, I met Sagemaya Dandi an "old-timer" that moved to Santa Fe in the early 80's. He lives on slopes of a peak at the end of Canyon Road and collects his mail from a mailbox he petitioned the city to install along upper Canyon Road.

He gave me a guided tour of Canyon Road introducing me to several gallery owners and giving me a running history of the buildings along Canyon Road. 

Before Sagemaya (which means wise illusions) and his dog Butterball walked on down Canyon Road to their home, he told me I should head back into town along along Palace Road. One the way I'd find the walkway up to the top of the hill with a white cross on top. It was good advice.

The Cross of the Martyrs sits atop the hill overlooking Santa Fe, New Mexico. The cross together with the walkway, that includes several historic plaques, commemorates the 21 Franciscan monks that were slain during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. The site was a given to the city during the 350th anniversary of Santa Fe's inception.

Cross of the Martrys walking tour article.

Map of the area

Text and photo copyright Jerome Shaw 2010 / www.jeromeshaw.com

Jerome also writes for Confluence Denver, Travel Boldly, Johnny Jet, Recommend Magazine and Encompass

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Santa Fe, New Mexico: The Cross of the Martyrs

The Cross of the Martyrs

An often-overlooked feature of central Santa Fe is The Cross of the Martyrs. It is an easy destination for an evening walk from downtown Santa Fe. The vantage from the top offers dramatic views of The Plaza and entire valley but the peek into the history of the oldest capital city in the United States is the best reason to make this walk.

The walk is not an arduous climb but does take moderate fitness. The inclined brick walkway is a series of switchbacks interspersed with steps that climb to the ridge above Paeso de Peralta in Hillside Park. The project was a gift to visitors on the occasion of the 375th anniversary of Santa Fe. (In 2010 Santa Fe is celebrating its 400th anniversary) There are handrails and sure footing on the commemorative walkway built in 1986. The good news is that if you become oxygen challenged there are ample reasons to stop, read and catch your breath. A series of display plaques offer an interesting diversion and a chance to recover from Santa Fe's elevation of more than 7,000 feet above sea level.

The twenty plaques give walkers a glimpse of the events that helped shaped Santa Fe into a blend of three cultures. The walk will take you on a mental journey through history from 500 AD to the modern era. At the top of the walkway is the brick prick plaza and the steel cross that was erected to honor the 21 Franciscan Friars killed in the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.

The Pueblo revolt was a mass insurrection by natives of the area pueblos against the Spanish interests. This coordinated attack of all Spanish settlements of northern New Mexico was organized at the Taos Pueblo and led by Popé, a medicine man from the San Juan Pueblo south of Taos. Popé became the ruler of all the pueblos of New Mexico for a dozen years as result of the successful revolt that killed 400 Spaniards and caused the survivors to flee to El Paso del Norte (El Paso, TX.) While the revolt did not remove the Spanish from the area permanently, it did cause changes in the way the Spanish dealt with the Pueblo Indian after 1692.

The cobblestone platform that surrounds the cross is a wonderful place for reflection, or to take in the views of expansive homes along the ridges behind the cross or to make sunset photos of Santa Fe.

To reach The Cross of the Martyrs from the Plaza area take East Palace Avenue in a southeasterly direction to Otero Street. Go left on Otero (northeast) approximately ¼ of mile. You will cross East Marcy Avenue before reaching Paseo De Peralta. Turn right on Paseo De Peralta. The entrance to the walkway is on your left approximately 400 feet ahead. Legal parking places are at a premium.

On Fiesta weekend there is candlelit procession to The Cross of the Martyrs from Saint Francis Cathedral after a special Mass. Fiesta weekend is celebrated the weekend after Labor Day.

600 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM
Tel: (505) 984-6760

Map of the area

Side story how I found The Cross of the Martrys

Text and photo copyright Jerome Shaw 2010 / www.jeromeshaw.com

Jerome also writes for Confluence-Denver, Travel Boldly, Johnny Jet, Recommend Magazine and Encompass

Contact Jerome on Twitter at @JeromeShaw or find him on Facebook

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