El Rancho de las Golondrinas

Spanish Colonial history is a big part of the area's heritage. El Rancho de las Golondrinas, a living history village southwest of Santa Fe, recreates life in Spanish Colonial New Mexico. The property was originally a parejo (camping stop) on the historic El Camino Real, between Mexico City and Santa Fe. The original hacienda has been rebuilt and buildings were brought here from other New Mexico locations including a schoolhouse, mills, a blacksmith's, and a recreated Morada (a Penitente meeting house). On summer weekends Golondrinas comes alive with fairs and festivals. Docents wearing period attire demonstrate long-gone life skills including spinning, weaving, bread baking in ornos (outdoor clay and mud ovens), tin- and black-smithing, grain milling and other period activities. They raise heirloom crops and heritage livestock breeds. They're open Wednesday through Sunday from May through September. Hours are 10a.m. to 4p.m.