Welcome to Nambé Area
Part of Santa Fe County, Nambé, which means “people of the round earth,” is in a beautiful area known as the “high road to Taos.” In addition to Nambé, the “high road” area includes wonderful small villages like Truchas, Chimayo, Chamisal, Las Trampas, Picuris, Vadito, Peñasco, Talpa, Ranchos de Taos, and Sipapu. You pass these amazing villages via a scenic road that winds through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains between Santa Fe and Taos.
The landscape between Santa Fe and Taos is some of the most incredible landscape you will see in New Mexico. There’s a reason it is called, “The Land of Enchantment!” Some enchanting communities line the Taos Gorge and the Rio Grande. These communities, on what is called the “Low Road to Taos” include Espanola, Velarde, and Dixon.
San José de Gracia ChurchThere are several important churches (or Santuarios) in this area, including:
- El Santuario de Chimayó (in Chimayo)
- San José de Gracia Church, built in 1776 (in Las Trampas)
- San Francisco de Asis Mission Church (Rancho de Taos)
The San Francisco de Asis Mission Church is of particular significance as it has been revered in many Georgia O’Keeffe paintings. O’Keeffe was enamored with this building, stating it as being, “one of the most beautiful buildings left in the United States by the early Spaniards.” It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1970. Many famous photographers have captured the San Francisco de Asis Mission Church in beautiful photographs, including Paul Strand, Ned Scott, and Ansel Adams.
The San Jose de Gracia Church is also referred to as Church of Santo Tomas Del Rio de Las Trampas. it is one of the most authentic and original examples of a Spanish Colonial Pueblo mission church, including adobe walls which rise to 34 feet! Like the San Francisco de Asis Mission Church, it was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1970. Las Trampas, where the church resides, is part of the “high road,” found on New Mexico State Road 76.
The El Santuario de Chimayó is a Roman Catholic church located in Chimayo. It has been referred to as, “the most important Catholic pilgrimage center in the United States.” Nearly 300,000 people visit it this year. Holy Thursday and Good Friday are especially packed with thousands making the pilgrimage to The El Santuario de Chimayó.
The areas of the “high road” and “low road” are a very important part of the culture and history of New Mexico.
