Having seen pictures of impressive and unique murals found at Coronado State park at the Maxwell Musuem at the University of New Mexico, a visit to the park has been on my “to-do” list since arriving in Albuquerque.
The park is named after Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, who with 300+ soldiers and Native American slaves and allies camped in the ancient pueblo of Kuaua during his search for the Seven Cities of Gold.
Supposedly the pueblo was first settled and constructed around AD 1300 because of it’s fertile land and close proximity to the Rio Grande. Today a small visitor center, RV campground and interpretive trails lead visitors among the remains of the foundations of what were at one time three and four story adobe dwellings.
Arguably one of the most significant finds was the discovery of many layers of unique mural paintings in a square kiva in the 1930’s. The murals were painstakingly moved to the University of New Mexico but are now back in the museum at the state park. Unfortunately, photographing the murals is prohibited.
It took me about just under two-hours to feel like I had a good visit. I met a few nice folks including a little mouse in the video room who had to be hiding from the hawk that nested above the visitor center. For more information on Coronado State Park visit http://www.nmmonuments.org
