Santa Fe Jewish Roots Walking Tour: Hidden History Revealed

A Hebrew inscription sits above the Cathedral Basilica's entry, and nobody agrees what it means.

This two-hour walking tour explores Santa Fe's Jewish heritage through significant sites and buildings, led by a trained docent from the New Mexico History Museum. The tour visits the Palace of the Governors (site of 17th-century Inquisition arrests), the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Cathedral Park, and Burro Alley, uncovering the stories of early traders and influential families who shaped the city. Tours run on the first of each month. Children from age 3 are welcome, and a personal audio receiver ensures you hear the guide clearly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Santa Fe Jewish heritage sites

• Visit Palace of the Governors
• View Cathedral Basilica exterior
• Stroll through Cathedral Park
• Walk historic Burro Alley
• See Abraham Staab family home
• Note authentic Santa Fe relic

The experience

Two hours covers four centuries of Santa Fe's Jewish history, starting at the Palace of the Governors on the Plaza: the oldest continuously used government building in the United States, built in 1610. This adobe landmark witnessed Spanish, Mexican, and American rule, and it was here that 17th-century Inquisition arrests of accused crypto-Jews took place. The docent walks you through how this single building holds the threads of Native American, Spanish, and Jewish influence woven into New Mexico's past.

The route moves through Cathedral Park and past the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, constructed between 1869 and 1888 under Bishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy's direction. The tour views the cathedral from outside and explores the Hebrew inscription above its entry. A detail that has sparked different explanations over the years. You'll also walk through Burro Alley, a narrow passageway that opens onto everyday life in early Santa Fe, and see the Staab family home, a French Empire-style house built in Germany and reproduced here in 1882. The guide connects these physical places to the people and events that shaped the city's cultural identity.

The tour begins outside the front doors of the New Mexico History Museum and involves walking over uneven surfaces typical of Santa Fe's historic streets. You'll receive a personal audio receiver and headset so the docent's commentary comes through clearly as the group moves between sites. Santa Fe sits at 7,000 feet elevation, so bring water and a hat. The pace suits all fitness levels, though the altitude and walking distance matter if you're managing cardiovascular concerns. Tours run on the first of each month, with departures in September, October, November, and December.

What’s included

• A trained docent from the New Mexico History Museum.
• a personal audio receiver and headset so you hear the guide clearly throughout the walk.

Options for this experience

4 options

Sept 1 Santa Fe's Jewish RootsGuide in English · Only on 1 Nov · 10:45Lasts 2 hours

Oct 1 Santa Fe's Jewish RootsGuide in English · Only on 1 Nov · 10:45Lasts 2 hours

Dec 1 Santa Fe's Jewish RootsGuide in English · Available from 1 Dec · 13:45Lasts 2 hours

Nov 1 Santa Fe's Jewish RootsGuide in English · Only on 1 Nov · 10:45Lasts 2 hours

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday and SundayDepartures at 10:45 and 13:45Last departure this season: 15 Dec

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 95 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years): free · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Friends of History New Mexico

Is this one for you?The fixed monthly schedule on the first of each month means you'll need to plan around those specific dates, but it keeps the group small and intimate for a deeper conversation about Santa Fe's Jewish heritage.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years): free. Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What was the Palace of the Governors used for during the Spanish Inquisition?

The Palace of the Governors, built in 1610 on Santa Fe Plaza, was the site of 17th-century Inquisition arrests of accused crypto-Jews. The tour explores how this adobe building, the oldest continuously used government building in the United States, witnessed the religious and political upheaval of that era.

Does the tour go inside the Cathedral Basilica?

No, the tour views the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi from the outside. You'll see the Hebrew inscription above the entry and learn about the different explanations offered for it, as well as the history of Bishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy and the cathedral's construction between 1869 and 1888.

What should I know about walking the route in Santa Fe?

The tour involves walking over uneven surfaces on Santa Fe's historic streets. Santa Fe sits at 7,000 feet elevation, so bring water and a hat to stay comfortable. The pace suits all fitness levels, though the altitude and distance matter if you have cardiovascular concerns.