The oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States, built by the Spanish in 1610 as the seat of New Mexico's colonial government. It has served as the headquarters of the Spanish, Pueblo, Mexican, Confederate, and American governments of New Mexico in turn — a four-century parade of regime change condensed into one low adobe block.
The building now houses the New Mexico History Museum's flagship exhibits. The portal facing the Plaza is the daily marketplace where Native artisans from over twenty pueblos sell jewellery, pottery, and weavings directly — a slot system run by the museum, not a free-for-all. Closed Mondays in winter.