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Sacred Places...
Taos, New Mexico
By
Michelene K. Bell
When we think of sacred places, most of us relate to Stonehenge, The
Leaning Tower of Pisa, The Taj Mahal, The Golden Gate Bridge or The Great
Wall of China, just to name a few. However, Taos is overflowing with its
own sacred sites from the vast Rio Grande Gorge to the Taos Pueblo;
steeped in Indian, Spanish and Anglo heritage.
Taos, New Mexico is a Mecca of beauty, ancient traditions and history.
Multicultural in nature, it hosts many museums, art galleries, unique
architectural wonders, artists, festivals, a world renowned ski resort and
so much more.
Noted for its rejuvenation powers, Taos provides mystery and intrigue for
the mind, body and soul. Walk the labyrinths (there are five of them) to
calm the mind and heal the soul; go horseback riding, hiking, hot air
ballooning, fishing, biking or white water river rafting. Visit the Rio
Grande Gorge and take in the history and beauty of the surrounding
landscape. If skiing or snowboarding is your passion, it can’t get any
better than Taos Ski Valley in the winter.
If you love music or meeting traditional cultures…visit the Taos Pueblo.
This National Historic Landmark has multi-storied adobe buildings which
have been inhabited continuously for well over a 1,000 years. There is
much to see; here are a few gems to add to your adventures.
 The Taos Pueblo is a true and ancient tribal community
committed to maintaining the traditional values and detailed oral history
of the Tiwas’ existence back to the evolution of man. The tribe’s native
language, Tiwa, is unwritten, unrecorded, and will remain that way, as
details of the tribe’s traditional values are guarded as sacred. Visitors
to the pueblo will see exquisite examples of adobe architecture in the
outdoor ovens called hornos and the traditional multi-storied structures.
Although they are restricted to visitors, a number of sacred ceremonial
kivas can be observed.
The pueblo still maintains a restriction of no electricity and no running
water. At various times during the year, visitors can observe ceremonial
seasonal dances.
San Francisco de Asis Mission Church (built 1710-1801) is perhaps
one of the most photographed and painted churches in the southwest and
made famous by Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keeffe.
Kit Carson Museum is a treasure trove of the famous Kit Carson who
became a Taos resident after marrying a local Taos woman. This is a must
see museum…filled with the lore of Kit along with many artifacts and
memorabilia…and of course the stories of the West’s Kit Carson.
Rio Grange Gorge Bridge is the second highest bridge in the
country. With a breathtaking view, one can overlook the river…650 feet
below. A site worth visiting.
E.L. Blumenschein Home & Museum is the blend of fine European
furnishings, Spanish Colonial antiques, and works by early Taos artists
within the rustic home creates a unique Taos experience.
La Hacienda de los Martinez — Built in 1804, La Hacienda is
considered one of the “Great Houses” in the Southwest. This fortress style
structure was an important trade center for the Spanish Empire and also
was the headquarters for an extensive ranching and farming operation. Once
more, step back in time and visit the twenty-one rooms surrounding two
courtyards. Experience rare glimpses of the rugged frontier life and times
of the early 1800s.
 The Harwood Museum of Art (University of New Mexico) —
Step back in time and stroll through the seven galleries with display
works from the 19th century to the present.
Millicent Rogers Museum — Millicent Rogers was a Southampton beauty
and socialite who had an affair with Clark Gable. She arrived in Taos in
1947 and during her short three year stay, she devoted her time to
designing Native American-inspired jewelry, collecting Pueblo artifacts,
Southwest art, pottery, Kachinas, rugs and baskets. She died in 1950.
Visit her collection of came to Taos in 1947 and was a major collector of
Southwest art - pottery, jewelry, kachinas, rugs and baskets.
Taos Art Museum & Fechin House — The Taos Art Museum is housed in
the home of Russian born Nicholai Fechin. This hand-built structure took
six years to complete (1927-1933) and was created into a “fascinating,
harmonic marriage of Russian, Native American and Spanish symbolism.” It
houses drawings and paintings by the Taos Society of Artists, Taos
Moderns, and works by contemporary artists.
The Taos Hum — This mystery still remains today. The Taos Hum is a
low frequency sound that many describe as a diesel engine running in the
background. While not all can hear it, those who do say they lose sleep,
have headaches and find themselves irritable. (visit
www.qsl.net/w5www/taoshum.html for the whole story). This phenomena
starts abruptly and appears more during the night. Some speculate that it
is ‘Nature holding counsel’ with her own as she resets her patterns of
harmony and balance every night.
Enjoy Taos’ most remarkable sunsets and wondrous rainbows after a gentle
rainfall. See the 6,000 year old painted images on rocks; admire the
Petroglyphs along the Rio Grande.
 Festivals through the end of the year:
Music from Angel Fire
Taos Storyteller Festival
Taos Fall Arts Festival
Taos Mountain Balloon Rally
Taos Wool Festival
Taos Mountain Music Festival
Taos, New Mexico has everything for those looking for relaxation,
rejuvenation, healing, adventure, art, music…Taos has it for the
experiencing. The ancient cultures and traditional practices help us
understand the importance of community; the commitment to our heritage.
Drink in the beauty of the southwest landscape and feel your mind, body
and spirit soar with the ancestors of your past.
Resources
www.TaosSacredPlaces.com
Michelene K Bell is a freelance writer, editor and publisher of
In Light Times. She enjoys good conversations with friends, loves great
food, going to the movies, traveling, playing game and just having fun.
www.InLightimes.com. |
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