Credit: Nuestro Stories
Located a half-mile Northwest of Bernalillo, off the banks of the Rio Grande River, lies the remains of the Kuaua Ruins, known as the Coronado Historic Site since 1940. A multi-levelled dwelling place of the Tiwa tribe of the Tanoan Pueblo.
Said to have settled in the region of what is now known as New Mexico in the 1300s, the Tiwa were a tribe known as prosperous farmers. In fact, Kuaua means evergreen in Tiwa, a gentle nod to the tribe’s ability to see plants flourish on the land. The Tiwa lived in Kuaua for upwards of 250 years before the first wave of Spanish colonizers arrived.
Francisco Vazquez de Coronado was the first to survey the area now known as El Camino Real de Tierra Dentro. It was August of 1540 when he first encountered the Kuaua Pueblo, which at the time was the largest Pueblo settlement in the region. By the time winter fell, Coronado and his team were ill-prepared for the harsh winters. Utilizing the threat of violence, Coronado and his army forced the tribe to supply them with what they needed to survive the terrain. Despite his attempts, however, Coronado was never able to gain full control of the pueblo, and he eventually abandoned efforts before moving on to what is now known as Texas.
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The structures left behind, nearly 800 years later, are almost preternaturally well preserved, a testament to the skill, intelligence, and prowess of those who built the Kuaua Pueblo. The ruins have withstood rain, sleet, fleet, and snow.
BEFORE YOU GO:
- The site, previously closed during COVID-19, is now completely open to the public, but visitors must still wear masks.
- Children under 16 are admitted free.
- The days are hot, and the nights are cold. Make sure to pack accordingly.
Location: Bernalillo, NM 87004
Address: 485 Kuaua Rd
Take a virtual tour here.
