San Francisco de Asís is a National Historic Landmark, a beautiful adobe church that was completed in the early 1800s. The church is still active today and includes a few outlying chapels such as Nuestra Señora del Carmen in Llano Quemado, San Isidro in Los Cordovas, and Nuestra Señora de San Juan de Los Lagos in Talpa.
Built with mud, straw, and sun-dried adobe bricks, the San Francisco de Asís church stands as one of the few remaining original buildings in Taos. It serves as a testament to the enduring faith and devotion of the Hispanic Catholic community, who have worked tirelessly to preserve their religious traditions to this very day. This church is a fascinating blend of Spanish colonial architecture and the traditional building techniques of the Taos Pueblo people, making it a truly unique and remarkable piece of history.
This divine temple boasts twin bell towers, an arched portal entrance, hand-crafted ceiling beams, hand-carved corbels, and a choir loft. Moreover, the church shelters eight imported oil paintings encased within ornamental screens, known as reredos, which are both hand-carved and hand-painted.
Visitors are welcome to admire the intricate details of the artwork and appreciate the dedication and skill of the craftsmen who created it. We highly encourage all visitors to view the unique “Mystery Painting,” a rare and valuable piece of art that adds to the church’s cultural and historical significance. It’s definitely worth checking out!
If you’re planning a visit, head over to the Gift Shop for reservations and inquiries.
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