A rare specimen of Northern Mexico style 'Great Houses' the La Hacienda de Los Martinez is one of the most prominent landmarks of the Spanish Colonial Period.
Encompassing 21 rooms and 2 courtyards, the building, whose architecture is distinctly reminiscent of a fortress with its thick walls and sparse windows, was one of the most important trade centers of the Spanish Empire. The edifice was built by Severino Martin, who was later called Martinez, in 1804 and was also used as a ranch and for farming activities. Today, visitors to this spectacular building can venture through its vast interiors for a matchless glimpse of the rugged frontier life, as it was lived in the early 1800s. The building also serves as a venue for various traditional arts and crafts demonstrations. The rooms have been restored to their period glory and depict the textiles, foods and crafts of the early 19th century era. You will also find a blacksmith's shop which is open to visitors on Sundays and displays the early forms of this occupation. The museum also houses reconstructed looms where weavers bestow traditional patterns onto fine pieces of textile. You can even stay back for an interactive sessions with the artists and learn more about the finer nuances of their trade.
The La Hacienda de Los Martinez Gift Shop sells bultos, retablos, quilts, and hand-woven textiles in vibrant hues. You can also purchase literature at the shop to learn more about the legendary history of the building and its contribution to the development of the Spanish Colonization at the beginning of the 19th Century. The museum also hosts the annual Old Taos Trade Fair every year, during fall. You can also host your private events and celebrations against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the La Hacienda de Los Martinez. The museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm all through the week.
For further information, refer to the website http://www.taosmuseums.org/hac_martinez.php or call the museum at 505-758-0505.
La Hacienda de Los Martinez
Lower Ranchitos Road,
Taos, NM 87571
