The Only US Capitol Building Made of Adobe Bricks Has Governed Four Different Nations Since 1610

Palace of the Governors

In 1610, Pedro de Peralta had one job: build a royal palace for the King of Spain’s newest colony.

What he created became America’s oldest public building still in use today. This simple adobe structure would house 400 years of governors, rebels, and conquerors.

Here’s how it all began, now preserved for you to explore.

Pedro de Peralta Receives Orders to Move the Capital

In March 1609, the Spanish Crown ordered Pedro de Peralta to move the capital from San Gabriel to a new location. Officials decided San Gabriel illegally took Pueblo lands and needed to be relocated.

Peralta, the second governor of New Mexico, traveled north with twelve soldiers and eight priests to carry out these orders. His job was to build a new town that followed Spanish rules for colonial settlements.

The Spanish Laws of the Indies Guide Construction

Builders followed rules from the Laws of the Indies when making the Palace. These 148 Spanish regulations told exactly how colonial towns should be built. The laws required government buildings to surround a central square called the plaza mayor.

This design came from ancient Roman cities but was adapted for Spanish colonies. These strict building patterns helped Spain control its distant territories more effectively.

Selecting the Santa Fe Site

A small Spanish farming community already existed at Santa Fe as early as 1605 before it became the capital. Peralta chose this spot because it met all Spanish requirements for a good settlement.

The site sat on high ground with fertile soil, good water access, and natural protection from attacks. Peralta mapped out districts, house plots, garden areas, and the central plaza where government buildings would stand.

The Casas Reales Complex Takes Shape

The Casas Reales complex included many important spaces: the governor’s home, government offices, a jail, weapon storage, and a chapel. All these buildings stood around the central plaza.

Workers built watchtowers at each corner of the plaza for defense. Some buildings rose two stories high, showing Spanish power through their size. A main street cut through the complex, connecting the plaza to the outside world.

Building the Adobe Palace

The Palace walls were made of adobe (mud bricks) with wooden beams called vigas and a thatch roof. These building methods worked well in the desert and came from Pueblo knowledge.

The walls stood three feet thick to protect Spanish officials from attacks. The central plaza was built large enough to hold 1,000 people, 5,000 sheep, 400 horses, and 300 cattle during emergencies or special events.

The Fortress Design

The north wall had parapets where guards could stand watch. A strong tower called a torreón stood at the west corner for better defense and lookout. Another torreón with a chapel stood at the east section.

The Palace was designed as both a government center and a fortress. Its thick walls kept out enemies and the harsh winter cold of the high desert.

The Interior Arrangement

Inside the Palace, spaces served many purposes. The governor and his family lived in private rooms. Officials met visitors in formal reception rooms while soldiers stayed in barracks within the same building.

The Palace also housed servants’ quarters and stables. A chapel hosted prayers and religious services. The western section contained prison cells and a secure room for storing gunpowder.

The Palace Gardens

Behind the Palace stretched ten acres of vegetable gardens that fed the Spanish settlers. These gardens were crucial since Santa Fe sat far from other Spanish colonies.

A covered walkway called the “corridor grande de patio” ran along the Palace’s south side, connecting different parts of the complex.

Walls surrounded these gardens, protecting them from animals and potential attacks.

The Master Mason’s Role

Juan Chamizo, a master mason from Mexico, supervised the Palace construction. Spanish officials valued his skills in adapting European designs to New World conditions.

Chamizo built a shaded arcade around the inner courtyard and fixed a fallen tower in 1661. His work shows in construction records from Inquisition hearings where he testified about building projects.

The harsh climate meant buildings needed constant repair and skilled workers to maintain them.

Controversy Over Construction Dates

History books don’t agree on when the Palace was actually built. While most say 1610, some evidence points to 1618, during the middle of Peralta’s time as governor.

Governor Juan de Eulate, who arrived in 1618, claimed he found no headquarters and had to build it himself.

Making all the adobe bricks and cutting timber would have taken years of work, adding to the timeline confusion.

Visiting Palace of the Governors

You’ll find the Palace of the Governors at 113 Lincoln Avenue on the north side of Santa Fe Plaza.

The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May through October, and Tuesday through Sunday during winter months (November-April). Your ticket includes access to both the Palace and the adjoining New Mexico History Museum.

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