Zozobra.

Zozobra

Zozobra is a frightening 18-foot-tall statue of "Old Man Gloom," built out of painted metal by Don Kennell, and dedicated on August 14, 2024. An even bigger cloth version of Zozobra is set on fire every Labor Day in Santa Fe to chase away the troubles of the year.

"Zozobra" is Spanish for "anxiety" -- at least according to Will "Shus" Shuster, a Santa Fe artist who concocted, and burned, the first Zozobra in 1926. This permanent version, according to its bronze plaque, was created to honor Zozobra's 100th immolation, apparently two years ahead of schedule.

Zozobra

Address:: 119 S. Federal Place, Santa Fe, NM
Directions:: Downtown. From NM-475/Pasco De Peralta turn south at the stoplight onto Washington Ave., then immediately bear right onto S. Federal Place. Drive past the entrance to the parking garage on the left and you'll see Zozobra, also on the left.
Hours:: Lit at night.
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

Nearby Offbeat Places

Big Dog Swing, Santa Fe, NM - < 1 mi.

Burro Alley, Santa Fe, NM - < 1 mi.

Miraculous Gravity-Defying Staircase, Santa Fe, NM - < 1 mi.

In the region:

30-Foot-Tall Robot, Giant Spider, Santa Fe, NM - 4 mi.

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