Taos is the cultural and artistic center of the American Southwest, and visitors to this historic community will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a unique blend of art, Native American and Hispanic culture, as well as exquisite natural beauty. Visit Taos Pueblo, an ancient living Indian village that has stood unchanged for centuries, or explore historic Taos Plaza with its maze of intriguing side streets. Whether you're a history buff or the consummate shopper, Taos will not disappoint you.Located in a valley on tributary of the Rio Grande, the Taos Pueblo (village) is the most northern of the New Mexico Pueblos. For nearly a millennium, the Taos Indians have lived at or near the present site. Constructed of adobe, the Pueblo is the largest multi-storied Pueblo structure in the United States--with a height up to five stories.
Today, the artists of Taos Pueblo create stunning handcrafted goods utilizing methods passed down through generations. Sculpture, painting and jewelry are modern expressions of traditional art forms, and one would be hard-pressed to find leatherwork of such simplicity and enduring quality. Best known for micaceous pottery (made from the mica-rich clay of northern New Mexico), the Pueblo of Taos remains the link from these early inhabitants to the present native culture.
In 1960, Taos Pueblo was designated a National Historic Landmark, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. In 1992, the United Nations admitted the Pueblo to the "World Heritage List," due to its uniqueness and universal value to the heritage of all mankind. |
