Unique New Mexico: Scottish Rite Masonic Temple

The Scottish Rite Masonic Temple may be home to a private fraternity, but its ornate theater welcomes all.

An elaborate forest scene on a theater stage. Scottish Rite Masonic Temple in Santa Fe, NM, is a remarkable locale to visit in the American Southwest. — The forest scene at the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple playhouse comprises multiple scrims that descend from the stage’s ceiling. Courtesy Scottish Rite Masonic Center.

Scottish Rite Masonic Temple
Santa Fe

It is hard to miss the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple when driving through downtown Santa Fe. The building stands out among a sea of earth-toned, single-floor adobes for its unusually tall central structure, steep archways, and strikingly rosy hue. The temple is the Santa Fe outpost for the Scottish Rite, a fraternity that began in 18th-century Scotland. To be eligible to join, one must be “male, have no criminal record, and believe in a higher power” (no women or atheists allowed).

Constructed in 1910, the temple architecture is inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, nodding to cross-cultural histories and centuries of Spanish colonial rule in New Mexico. Its color was chosen to mimic the Alhambra’s terracotta glow at sunset, although the hue is bolder and brighter than intended. There are peculiar accents throughout the building, such as rare Black Baccara roses in the courtyard and nine different Moorish-style arches—each with its own mathematical symbolism.

Entering the temple’s theater feels like stepping into a living portrait of an 18th-century playhouse. The vaulted ceiling—made of plaster and horsehair to perfect its shape—depicts the sky, with lights scattered throughout like stars. Above the stage is a mural depicting Queen Isabella in Santa Fe, Spain, awaiting her keys to the Alhambra after Spain overcame Islamic rule. The stage itself boasts sixty-nine hand-painted backdrops, all remarkably preserved since their creation in 1911. The theater still holds performances, from private programs for club members to shows by the Santa Fe Playhouse and other local organizations.

Tours are free and offered daily, but must be booked in advance. The temple is a short walking distance from Cross of the Martyrs, a hilltop memorial to the colonists and friars who were killed in the 1680 Pueblo Revolt that offers spectacular views of downtown Santa Fe.