I've wanted to visit the "Sky City" ever since I first heard about the pueblo on the mesa top. Located about an hour away from Albuquerque, an ancient pueblo village sits atop a 367-foot sandstone bluff as a sentry to past.
Originally protected by the shear remoteness of place Acoma tradition recounts that the ancients came to the sacred mesa after young scouts heard the promised echos as they called to the cliffs.
This was to be their place in the shadow of
Mt. Taylor and under the expanse of the stars.
Those who found a home on the mesa top found natural cisterns to store water,
and a defense with ascent only through secret steps.
History would introduce the Spanish, soon the solitude of the Acoma people would be invaded with the persistent influence of the Conquistadors and Catholic missionaries. It was only through the building of a Mission Cathedral atop the mesa did the Acoma appease their new cultural threat.
Today the proud Acoma pueblo are the most gracious of hosts as they let the curious visitors like me explore and experience their traditions and culture. Certainly, "Sky City" is a wonderful place to visit.
