Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The character of San Luis - today and throughout history - is largely the result of its
isolation. For Spain, the upper Rio Grande was a lost province best left to the nomadic
Native American tribes that Spain was unable to dominate. Mexico encouraged civilian
settlement and agriculture with the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant in 1843, yet did not es-
tablish a plaza at San Luis until 1851. Under the threat of Ute raids, and far from the mer-
cantile and spiritual centers at Taos and Santa Fe, San Luis developed as a self-sufficient
outpost.
Sights
Stations of the Cross
(cnr Hwys 142 & 159)
Following a path up a small hill, local sculptor Huberto Maestas' 15 dra-
matic life-sized statues of Christ's crucifixion are a powerful testament to the Catholic
heritage of communities near the 'Blood of Christ' Mountains. They are stationed along a
1-mile pathway, an excellent chance to stretch the legs.
Beginning with Jesus being condemned to death, the bronze statues continue through
the Resurrection. From the crucifixion on the mesa summit during late afternoon sunsets
you can observe the reddish light cast on the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, including
Culebra Peak (14,069ft), giving the mountains their 'Blood of Christ' name. You can also
look out over San Luis and its surrounding fields and pasture. For many years, San Luis
residents re-enacted the capture, trial and crucifixion of Christ during Holy Week (Easter)
and also made pilgrimages to the Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent. During
the Centennial Jubilee of the Sangre de Cristo Parish in 1986, parish members conceived
the Stations of the Cross Shrine to formalize this re-enactment.
RELIGIOUS
San Luis Museum & Cultural Center
( 719-672-3611; 401 Church Pl; adult $2; 10am-4pm summer, 9am-4pm Mon-Fri winter; )
This hand-
some museum and gallery chronicles Hispanic culture in southern Colorado, in a modern
building that blends sustainable concepts with traditional regional architecture. Exhibits
on the Penitente Brotherhood are especially intriguing for their insight into this formerly
secretive local sect of Catholicism . It was undergoing renovations at the time of writing,
but should be open in 2014.
MUSEUM
Viejo San Acacio
CHURCH
