The Cabildo of Santa Fe was formally established on 1 February 1573. It served as the central governing institution for the early settlement. Local officials managed justice, trade, and defense from this building. The Cabildo helped shape municipal authority in the region as the city expanded. Its decisions affected Indigenous relations and colonial policies. Over time, the institution became an important symbol of civic administration. Its founding played a major role in the development of Santa Fe’s political identity.
