St. Francis Cathedral
Historic landmark
Back to St. Francis Cathedral
The Basilica of St. Francis is one of the gems of American Church Architecture. I have lived all over he U.S. and Europe and I suggest that this Cathedral compares favorably with the Basicilica of the Assumption in Baltimore and Holy Name of Jesus in New Orleans as well as St. Louis Cathedral in N.O.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Apr 01 2008
I loved the Cathedral. Just to know that we attended Mass in a church that is almost 400 yrs old--is really something. I would go back in a heart-beat. Santa Fe is a great city with alot of culture and art. The city is very inspiring.You actually feel like you've taken part in the history of this country when you visit.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Feb 25 2008
The sculptures outside of the cathedral are wonderful. If you get a chance walk around the cathedral to the side and visit the shrines. As for the inside, that was an odd experience for me. I even researched when I arrived home to see if I was the only person to have such a profound reaction. And, well, I am. The moment I stepped inside the cathedral, I felt an overwhelming sadness. In fact, it seemed that most people who made it past the fountain (in the center of the cathedral), stopped and had to rest. Very hard to explain, and I even went back a second time, during mass, and had to leave again. We also visited Loretto Chapel and San Miguel, neither of which gave off such an eerie vibe. Still a beautiful cathedral and I would visit again.
Reviewed by: Kerr Bear from on Sep 04 2007
Of all the 3 churches I visited during my trip, this church visit left the most negative experience. I was fortunate enough to come into the church by a side door before the greeter cut my photo taking short, " no flash". One cannot take photo pictures with your camera flash on. Then why in the world become a designated Basilica or tourist spot? Just close the place down and leave it open only for Mass. By the way, their gift shop was the skimmiest on regilious items. By the way I am Catholic.
Reviewed by: See it my way! from on Aug 28 2007
I loved the food! Oh man, I had heard about the southwest cooking but this was incredible. On the Plaza are more than 3 or 4 place that look like little dinners but the food served was far better than alot of linen napkin, crystal glass, overpriced places in NYC.
Reviewed by: larry from on May 25 2007
Lovely, recently renovated cathedral. It was a joy to see it and enjoy a service. The Sunday morning bells rang out throughout the city calling us to come and worship... so we did! Would do it again.
Reviewed by: Georgette from on May 23 2007
The Cathedral dominates the end of one street. We happened to be there on St. Francis Feast Day and they had a Mass at 5:00pm that was full of people and at least one priest in procession from each of the parishes in the Archdiocese..and Indian dancers...It was quite a spectacle
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 12 2006
A beautiful Catholic Basilica built to honor St. Francis, this church has some incredible art work in it.
Reviewed by: Sophia from on Aug 19 2006
I have been to cathedrals in Europe, and this reminded of them. The Madonna is awe inspiring - to think it goes back to the 1600's! The painting and architecture as well as the stained glass are beautifully done. Not to be missed.
Reviewed by: Mrs.B from on Jul 22 2006
A visit to St. Francis Cathedral is a must for visitors. It's built in the French Romanesque Style, I believe. The mass is celebrated on regular Sunday schedule and on weekdays. Best of all, is the Indian Mass celebrated around August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption and the Indian Market. The Lamy Garden is situated in back of the cathedral. It's a memorial to Archbishop Lamy who built the cathedral. Across the street from the entrance to the cathedral, is the Indian Arts Museum. In front of the cathedral is a beautiful colored statue of Blessed Kiri Tekawitha, a Mohawk Indian who assisted the French settlers and taught school in the colonies. Kiri Tekawitha was a convert to Catholicism. (It's taking the Catholic Church a heck of a long time to canonize Kiri Tekawitha to sainthood. She deserves it, because she did a lot for the French and the Jesuits in the New World helping to spread the Catholic faith.) Last but not least, a visit to the Church shop where you can purchase handcrafts of religious articles by the locals is recommended.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jul 12 2006
Historic landmark
Back to St. Francis Cathedral
The Basilica of St. Francis is one of the gems of American Church Architecture. I have lived all over he U.S. and Europe and I suggest that this Cathedral compares favorably with the Basicilica of the Assumption in Baltimore and Holy Name of Jesus in New Orleans as well as St. Louis Cathedral in N.O.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Apr 01 2008
I loved the Cathedral. Just to know that we attended Mass in a church that is almost 400 yrs old--is really something. I would go back in a heart-beat. Santa Fe is a great city with alot of culture and art. The city is very inspiring.You actually feel like you've taken part in the history of this country when you visit.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Feb 25 2008
The sculptures outside of the cathedral are wonderful. If you get a chance walk around the cathedral to the side and visit the shrines. As for the inside, that was an odd experience for me. I even researched when I arrived home to see if I was the only person to have such a profound reaction. And, well, I am. The moment I stepped inside the cathedral, I felt an overwhelming sadness. In fact, it seemed that most people who made it past the fountain (in the center of the cathedral), stopped and had to rest. Very hard to explain, and I even went back a second time, during mass, and had to leave again. We also visited Loretto Chapel and San Miguel, neither of which gave off such an eerie vibe. Still a beautiful cathedral and I would visit again.
Reviewed by: Kerr Bear from on Sep 04 2007
Of all the 3 churches I visited during my trip, this church visit left the most negative experience. I was fortunate enough to come into the church by a side door before the greeter cut my photo taking short, " no flash". One cannot take photo pictures with your camera flash on. Then why in the world become a designated Basilica or tourist spot? Just close the place down and leave it open only for Mass. By the way, their gift shop was the skimmiest on regilious items. By the way I am Catholic.
Reviewed by: See it my way! from on Aug 28 2007
I loved the food! Oh man, I had heard about the southwest cooking but this was incredible. On the Plaza are more than 3 or 4 place that look like little dinners but the food served was far better than alot of linen napkin, crystal glass, overpriced places in NYC.
Reviewed by: larry from on May 25 2007
Lovely, recently renovated cathedral. It was a joy to see it and enjoy a service. The Sunday morning bells rang out throughout the city calling us to come and worship... so we did! Would do it again.
Reviewed by: Georgette from on May 23 2007
The Cathedral dominates the end of one street. We happened to be there on St. Francis Feast Day and they had a Mass at 5:00pm that was full of people and at least one priest in procession from each of the parishes in the Archdiocese..and Indian dancers...It was quite a spectacle
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 12 2006
A beautiful Catholic Basilica built to honor St. Francis, this church has some incredible art work in it.
Reviewed by: Sophia from on Aug 19 2006
I have been to cathedrals in Europe, and this reminded of them. The Madonna is awe inspiring - to think it goes back to the 1600's! The painting and architecture as well as the stained glass are beautifully done. Not to be missed.
Reviewed by: Mrs.B from on Jul 22 2006
A visit to St. Francis Cathedral is a must for visitors. It's built in the French Romanesque Style, I believe. The mass is celebrated on regular Sunday schedule and on weekdays. Best of all, is the Indian Mass celebrated around August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption and the Indian Market. The Lamy Garden is situated in back of the cathedral. It's a memorial to Archbishop Lamy who built the cathedral. Across the street from the entrance to the cathedral, is the Indian Arts Museum. In front of the cathedral is a beautiful colored statue of Blessed Kiri Tekawitha, a Mohawk Indian who assisted the French settlers and taught school in the colonies. Kiri Tekawitha was a convert to Catholicism. (It's taking the Catholic Church a heck of a long time to canonize Kiri Tekawitha to sainthood. She deserves it, because she did a lot for the French and the Jesuits in the New World helping to spread the Catholic faith.) Last but not least, a visit to the Church shop where you can purchase handcrafts of religious articles by the locals is recommended.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jul 12 2006
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