Montezuma Castle National Monument
| Montezuma Castle National Monument | |||
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| Location: | Arizona , United States | ||
| Next city: | Flagstaff | ||
| Surface: | 3.4 km² | ||
| Founding: | December 8, 1906 | ||
| Visitors: | 622,320 (2005) | ||
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Montezuma Castle is one of the best preserved historical buildings in North America . It is a rock shelter ( Cliff Dwelling ), by the Sinagua - Indians dating from the 12th century. It is located in the US state of Arizona between Phoenix and Flagstaff , just off Interstate 17 north of Cordes Junction .
The building complex consists of 20 rooms that fit into a rock niche over five floors. The ruins are on the slopes of Beaver Creek and can only be reached by ladders. The Spaniards were the first Europeans to notice the dwellings. They mistook it for an Aztec castle .
The Sinagua Indians ("Sinagua" means "without water" in Spanish) lived from agriculture. To protect them from hostile Indian tribes, they built their homes in the rock walls. It is not yet known why the Indians left the dwellings. Scientists have different theories about what causes people to leave their homes. In addition to the Sinagua Indians, the Mogollon , Anasazi and Hohokam peoples lived in this region . It is possible that the Sinagua were ousted from the region by these tribes. Another theory relates to a prolonged period of drought that occurs regularly in this desert region and left the farming Sinagua with no other option than to leave their homes and settle elsewhere.
National monument
On December 8, 1906 , Montezumas Castle was declared a National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt , at the same time as the Inscription Rock in New Mexico . Montezuma Castle is open to visitors all year round. The ruin itself can only be viewed from the outside.
Web links
- National Park Service: Montezuma Castle National Monument (official site; English)