Santa Fe is the second oldest city and the oldest capital in the United States. It was founded in 1610 as the government seat of Nuevo México in what was then called New Spain, established during the Spanish conquest of the Americas. Santa Fe is of particular interest because of its unique mixture of cultures. New Mexico is one of only six states with a non-Hispanic white population of under 50% and a high percentage of its population is of Hispanic, Latino, or Native American origin. The result is a culturally rich area with unique architecture, art, cuisine, music, and geography unlike anywhere else. In addition to its distinctive mixture of cultures, its climate typically offers over 300 days a year of sunshine. More distinctly, Santa Fe has long been a mecca for artists and photographers because of the deep blue skies and the contrasting shades of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The clear, pure, and colder dry air allows for the richness of the colors and the typically beautiful landscapes, sunsets, and sunrises.
Santa Fe has distinctive architecture like no other city. Since 1957, its building codes allow only two historic architectural styles – Spanish-Pueblo Revival and Territorial in its historic districts. Earlier historic buildings such as Craftsman or Mission are grandfathered in.
The city’s setting in the foothills, its adobe buildings and unique city center plaza create a backdrop that is conducive to both romance and intrigue. With over 250 art galleries, Santa Fe has more galleries per capita than anywhere in the USA. There are also an abundance of amazing boutique shops and award-winning restaurants. Santa Fe citizens and tourists alike love the many hand-made items available, such as the beautiful ceramics and hand-woven shawls and stoles in a wide array of colors.
This confluence of three cultures – Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo, also encourages the blending, and experimenting, of both traditional New Mexico dishes and innovative Southwestern cuisine. The meeting of these cultures also creates opportunities for unusual relationships and events, intrigue, and sometimes tension. With cobblestone streets, dark alleys, unusual and unique people and establishments, the opportunities for great story telling abound!