The Wardrobe of La Conquistadora.

The most respected persona in Santa Fe and a subject of devotion is a small wooden statue (30") of the Virgin, brought to the royal city in 1625 by oxcart from Mexico.
She made the jornada twice, the second during the Indian rebellion, when the colonists were forced to leave. The Santa Fe Fiesta commemorates the re-conquest.
La Conquistadora has her own chapel, in bright colonial style, contrasting with the rest of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Through the years she has acquired a large wardrobe, now over 200 costumes. She is dressed in a new one once a month and daily during the novena in June. She wears her finest in procession through town.
Many are embroidered and jeweled, made by the devoted.

Some of her costumes and jewelry are on display at the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art in Santa Fe. The sacristan of the cofradia who care for her made the selection from their place in the cathedral.
Included are some of her crowns, including the Corona Grande, a golden papal crown bestowed in ceremony by the pope's representative, valued at $65,000.
Her cross, encrusted with emeralds, sapphires and diamonds, is valued at $100,000.
The cofradia entrusted with her care dates to 1685 and the Re-conquest.
Her "autobiography" was written by Fra Angelico Chavez in 1975.

"Museum Exhibit provides closer look at La Conquistadora's collection of costumes," Anne Constable, The New Mexican, Sept. 10, 2010..