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Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe, NM

Photo: John Fowler from Placitas, NM, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingHistory BuffFree

Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

131 Cathedral Place · Santa Fe, NM

Why you should go…

Built between 1869 and 1887 from yellow limestone quarried near Lamy, this Romanesque Revival cathedral stands out in a city of adobe. Inside, the La Conquistadora Chapel holds a wooden Madonna brought from Spain in 1626 and is the oldest part of the building, kept from a 1717 church. Outside you will find a bronze statue of Archbishop Lamy, a statue of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, and a prayer garden with fourteen life-size Stations of the Cross.

  • #cathedral
  • #historic church
  • #architecture
  • #downtown santa fe

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Quirky Fun

    Loretto Chapel

    Under $25

    A tiny Gothic chapel famous for a spiral wooden staircase with no visible means of support.

    Right next doorMore like this

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    The Shed

    $25–$50

    A family-run Santa Fe institution serving red chile plates in a rambling 1692 adobe hacienda.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Eat & Drink

  • Stay
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    La Fonda on the Plaza

    $50+

    A Pueblo Revival landmark hotel that has anchored the corner of the Santa Fe Plaza since the 1920s.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Stay

  • Sightseeing
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    Santa Fe Plaza

    Free

    The historic heart of Santa Fe since 1610, ringed by adobe portals, galleries, and the old Palace of the Governors.

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  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Santa Fe

    Free

    New Mexico's capital city, known for adobe architecture, Native American and Spanish colonial history, art galleries and the historic Plaza.

    Steps awayMore like this

  • Shopping
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    Reflective Jewelry

    $50+

    A Santa Fe studio making handcrafted Fairtrade Gold engagement rings, wedding bands and custom designs.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Shopping