Set on the plains behind the Manzano Mountains, the scenically decaying mud-brick buildings at Quarai [1], Gran Quivira [2], and Abó [3] represent one of the Franciscans’ bigger challenges during the early years of the conquest. The national monument designation actually applies to three separate sites. Visiting them all will take a full day, and the route (Highway 337, beginning in Tijeras [4], just east of the city) also passes by the little town of Mountainair [5], as well as one of the area’s most beautiful fall hiking spots.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/albuquerque/outside-albuquerque/salinas-pueblo-missions-nationa/quarai
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/albuquerque/outside-albuquerque/salinas-pueblo-missions-nationa/gran-quivira
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/albuquerque/outside-albuquerque/salinas-pueblo-missions-nationa/abo
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/albuquerque/outside-albuquerque/salinas-pueblo-missions-nationa/tijeras
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/albuquerque/outside-albuquerque/salinas-pueblo-missions-nationa/mountainair