Plaza Blanca and Dar al-Islam Mosque
An Islamic mosque might seem an unlikely place of worship in a region known for its devotion to the faith of the Spanish throne. But if you visit the Dar al Islam mosque, hidden away in the hills of the Rio Chama valley, you’ll find a stunning structure of adobe topped by a softly sculpted dome that seems very much at home in its high-desert environment.
Built in 1981 by renowned Egyptian architect Hassan Fathi to resemble the mosques of north and West Africa, Dar al Islam was originally intended to serve as the centerpiece of a community of schools and living quarters for North American Muslims. The planned village doesn’t exist, but the mosque has developed programs in connection with educational institutions to promote a better understanding of Islam. Retreats, study groups, and workshops there allow participants—Moslems and non-Moslems alike— to study with visiting scholars. Even if you’re not joining one of these programs, the building is worth a look because of its architectural detail and majestic setting.
In the valley below sits the natural wonder known as Plaza Blanca, also immortalized as “The White Place” in a 1940 painting by O’Keeffe. The sandstone cliffs, spires, and oddly shaped rocks create an otherworldly, contemplative retreat that glows golden in the late-afternoon light. Allow yourself some time to linger as the spot gently embraces you with its ineffable sense of peace and timelessness.
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