PECOS NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK

This site is set on the ruins of a very ancient pueblo (Amerindian village), which was succeeded by a Spanish mission in the ^16th century. We explore the time from the first human occupation of the site to the American Civil War and the Battle of Glorieta Pass, which took place in the vicinity from March 26 to 28, 1862. The park provides an opportunity to discover the village through written explanations (available in French). You can also enter some of the kivas, underground spaces used for social and ceremonial purposes. It's a pleasant two-mile walk, starting from the Visitor Center. A film in English is also shown in the Visitor Center to help you find out more.

The park also preserves the memory and a portion of the Old Santa Fe Trail which, in the ^19th century, was the main crossing point between the Great Plains and the Southwest, linking Independence (Missouri) to Santa Fe before continuing south to Mexico.

Although not the nerve center, this pueblo, like many others in New Mexico, is part of the history of the Pueblo Revolt. In 1680, the Pueblo Indians revolted against Spanish colonization, and for a dozen years succeeded in driving the Spaniards out of the region. Nevertheless, the Spanish regained possession of most of their colonies between 1692 and 1696, after taking advantage of internal divisions among the Pueblos.