On your right, the Chapel of San Miguel por Barrio de Analco.  The chapel was constructed in 1626-28 by Fr. Alonso de Benavides. Called the "Oldest Church" in the United States (continuously occupied).

At the Oldest Church, check out De Vargas Street.  Barrio de Analco. Barrio meaning district (neighborhood); analco a Nahuatl Indian word meaning "the other side of the water." Oldest neighborhood in Santa Fe and the nation's "Oldest House" is here. The Barrio contains: Gregorio Crespin house 132 East De Vargas Street. Owned by Crespin in 1747 who sold it to Bartolome Marques for 50 pesos (tree-ring dates beams in house 1720-50). Land originally part of tract granted by General Don Diego de Vargas to Juan de Leon Brito, Tlaxcalan Indian who took part in reconquest of 1693; and the Roque Tudesqui house (Tudesqui-Ital.) 129-135 East De Vargas (the actual building date is unknown) in existence 1841.

Our Lady of Light Chapel, known as the Loretto Chapel, was founded by the Sisters of Loretto (first American order of nuns dedicated to teaching).   

Now privately owned, you may take a tour here and visit the Miraculous Staircase.

Cross the Santa Fe River, continuing north.  La Fonda is a famous, historical hotel.

At light turn right onto San Francisco Street. Look down San Francisco Street towards Saint Francis Cathedral.  You may recognize this view, which has been used in many movies.

Parroquia - the St Francis Cathedral 1860's - Conquistadora Chapel (north exterior). Point out the doors and details.

Plaza buildings - South side is La Castrene (Cah-strehn-say) meaning a military chapel, named Our Lady of Light). Catron Building on east side built in the 1890's. West side First National bank in 1880's.

Across from the plaza, walk under Place of the Governors' portal circa 1610 (oldest continuously used public building in the United States).   You can buy beautiful turquoise and silver jewelry handcrafted by Native American artisans.  (No picture.)

This "End of the Santa Fe Trail Marker" (placed by Daughters of American Revolution) on the southeast corner corner of the Plaza was dedicated in 1911. 

A reminder of Santa Fe Trail merchants, the historical Spitz Clock sits on the northwest corner of the plaza, close to the Fine Arts Museum.

Spiegelberg I (now Simply Santa Fe Store) was built in 1881.  The Spiegelbergs were early merchants, and put up a second building in 1882 (Now housing the Ray Dewey store and Salamander store, built at an original cost of $75,000).

Sena Plaza, located across from Cathedral Park.  Originally built by Señor Sena to house his large family, this treasured historical building now houses fabulous shops and restaurants, including The Shed (the webmaster's favorite restaurant) and Casa Sena (visit their cantina, where the wait staff sings show tunes).

Backtrack a little bit, and walk southeast up Old Santa Fe Trail to the stoplight at Alameda. Turn left onto Alameda and past a street named Cathedral Place. (The Archdiocese of Santa Fe has a small but interesting museum there.) Continue up Alameda to St. Francis School.