Occupied since the 14th century, San Ildefonso Pueblo is one of the best known of the New Mexico "living" pueblos. The pueblo contains adobe buildings, ceremonial kivas, a central plaza and a 1905 church built on the remains of a 17th-century mission church. San Ildefonso is famous for its matte and polished black-on-black pottery popularized in the early 20th century by Maria and Julian Martinez.

San Ildefonso Pueblo is south of Española, New Mexico, on NM 502. The pueblo can be visited daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Please call 505-455-3549 for further information.

Credits and Sources:

National Park Service. "Discover Our Shared Heritage American Southwest, A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary: List of Sites." http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/amsw/sitelist.htm.

Photos by and courtesy of Dwight Pitcaithley