Famous tourist attraction in Taos Pueblo

Taos Pueblo 

Taos Pueblo: It is made of adobe The north side Pueblo is said to be one of the most photographed and painted buildings in North America. It is the largest multistoried Pueblo structure still existing. It is made of adobe walls that are often several feet thick. Its primary purpose was for defense Up to as late as 1900 access to the rooms on lower floors was by ladders on the outside to the roof and then down an inside ladder. In case of an attack outside ladders could easily be pulled up. omes in this structure usually consist of two rooms one of which is for general living and sleeping and the second of which is for cooking eating and storage. Each home is self contained there are no passageways between the houses. Taos Indians made little use of furniture in the past but they have tables chairs and beds. In the pueblo electricity running water and indoor plumbing are prohibited.


Blue Lake: Which the people of the Pueblo consider sacred was included in this return of Taos land. The Pueblo notably involved non native people in lobbying the federal government for the return of Blue Lake as they argued that their unrestricted access to the lake and the surrounding region was neccessary to ensure their religious freedom. The Pueblo's web site names the reacquisition of the sacred Blue Lake as the most important event in its history due to the spiritual belief that the Taos people originated from the lake. It is believed that their anscestors live there and the pueblos themselves only ascend the mountain twice a year.

Residential adobe complex and Taos Mountain: The Pueblo's 48,000 acres (19,000 ha) of mountain land was taken by President Theodore Roosevelt and designated as the Carson National Forest early in the 20th century. It was finally returned in 1970 by the United States when President Nixon signed Public Law 91-550. An additional 764 acres (309 ha) south of the ridge between Simpson Peak and Old Mike Peak and west of Blue Lake were transferred back to the Publo in 1996.