Spanish missions in New Mexico
The Spanish Missions in New Mexico were a series of religious outposts in the Province of Santa Fe de Nuevo México — present day New Mexico. They were established by Franciscan friars under charter from the monarchs of the Spanish Empire and the government of the Viceroyalty of New Spain in a policy called Reductions to facilitate the conversion of Native Americans into Christianity.
Image: San Juan Bautista Church at Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo
Image: Jemez Historic Site 07
Image: Pueblo of Santo Domingo Mission Church
Image: San Miguel Chapel
Santa Fe de Nuevo México was a province of the Spanish Empire and New Spain, and later a territory of independent Mexico. The first capital was San Juan de los Caballeros from 1598 until 1610, and from 1610 onward the capital was La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asís.
Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east of Santa Fe: a winter sunset after a snowfall