Colorado’s Mesa Verde Cliff Palace Is a Historic Wonder

Colorado’s Mesa Verde Cliff Palace Offers a Look Back in Time

From the original Indigenous tribeswho dwelled here to the origin of its name, Colorado has a rich history. One of the most ancient pieces of that history lies in Mesa Verde. As it turns out, the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde are some of the most revered and best-preserved in the world.

Mesa Verde History

In the late 1190s, groups of Ancestral Pueblo people indigenous to the Four Corners region built homes in one of the most unlikely places. These people, also known as the Anasazi, made the move from the mesa top to the cliffside where they remained for nearly a century. They crafted stunning cliff dwellings, ranging in size from one-room alcoves to massive compounds. The Anasazi people began migrating south in the 1270s, but the structures they left behind, one massive cliff palace in particular, continue to take our breath away to this day. In fact, Mesa Verde National Park was the first archaeological site to be protected by law in 1906, a full decade before the establishment of the National Parks system.

Mesa Verde Cliff Palace

Perhaps the most notable Mesa Verde cliff dwelling, Cliff Palace is the largest of its kind in North America. The structure consists of sandstone and wooden beams held together by a homemade mortar consisting of soil, water, and ash. Small bits of stone were mixed into the mortar, reinforcing its strength.

Cliff Palace is entirely unique in its size and is actually considered a village in and of itself. The palace boasts 150 rooms, and it’s thought to have housed more than 100 residents in its 13th-century glory days. Rooms are roughly 6 by 8 feet, and it’s believed that larger groups of people as well as families would share the space. Some of the rooms were even originally adorned in bright, cheery colors, including pinks, reds, and yellows. The Anasazi people utilized smaller rooms to store crops, and the large, circular rooms, called kivas, hosted rituals and ceremonies.

With such a stunning space to call home, you may be curious as to why the Anasazi would ever leave Mesa Verde. Anthropologists and archeologists are still wondering, too. What is apparent is that the exit was abrupt and, by the 1280s, the community had been entirely abandoned. Upon excavation, it seemed almost like the Anasazi had simply walked out one day. In fact, some families even left intricate mugs hanging on the wall, ready for another cup of cocoa. The migration from Mesa Verde remains one of the most curious cases in American archeology, partly due to the splendor of Cliff Palace and the area’s similar incredible abodes.

Today, if you’re interested in a Cliff Palace adventure, you or a client can embark on the one-hour, ranger-guided tour. Just be prepared for 120 uneven stone steps, five 10-foot ladders, and a 100-foot total vertical climb. You can purchase tickets for as little as $8 per person.

Historical Architecture and Real Estate

So, how exactly does this historic site apply to your real estate practice? We promise we’re building up to something! Understanding and appreciating local history and architecture can help you become a more informed and helpful agent, even if your client isn’t shopping around for a cliff dwelling. Taking some time to learn about and reflect on different architectural styles can help you steer clients to the right home, whether they’re seeking a Craftsman or a Colonial.

Plus, in-depth knowledge of your market is critical as an agent. Colorado’s real estate market is red hot, so there’s no better time to grow your knowledge, build on your career, and differentiate yourself from the competition.