Montezuma Castle

Montezuma Castle is a well preserved cliff dwelling built by Pre Columbian Sinagua people.  Several Hopi clans trace their roots to immigrants from the Montezuma Castle/Beaver Creek area. Built in 1125 the Sinagua tribe lived in the dwellings for 300 years and then abandoned the dwellings around 1425.  It is not known why they left but speculation is they moved into the Hopi tribes.  The five story stone and mortor dwellings contain 20 rooms and once housed 50 people,  A natural overhang shades the rooms and shelters them from the rain.  In the 1860s American settlers found these dwellings and named them after the Aztec emperor because they mistakenly believed the Aztecs had constructed the cliff dwellings.  Both names are incorrect, the Sinagua dwelling were abandoned 100 years before Montezuma was born and it wasn't a castle but more of an apartment complex. Another part of the cliff bears the dwellings of a larger residence but did not preserve as well due to being built at the base of the cliff.  On December 8, 1906 the dwellings and surrounding area were declared a U.S. National Monument.  It was one of the four original sites designated as National Monuments by President Theodore Roosevelt.  Up until 1951 ladders were provided so you could climb up to the castle and look around.  That was stopped for preservation of the castle for all to enjoy.
When we visited the dwellings the sun was out and shined brightly on the castle.  As the morning passed clouds moved in and it started to rain.  It was an amazing sight to see and the pictures posted just does not do it justice.  As I stood standing and looking at the dwelling I was truely amazed of the construction of something done centuries ago that is still in existence.  If you are in this area of the country you really need to check it out.  It does not take long but it is well worth it!  It got cold here over the week end and as we started out on yesterday's journey the clouds cleared long enough to show the peaks of the mountains surrounding the area were snow capped.  It was a beautiful sight.