San Ildefonso Pueblo is located about twenty miles northwest of Santa Fe and is situated on the eastern bank of the Rio Grande river. Bandelier National Monument is the ancestral home of the people of San Ildefonso. The name San Ildefonso was given to the village in 1617 when a mission church was established there. Before that time it was called Powhoge, which in the Tewa language means, "where the water cuts through".

This pueblo has produced fine ceramic art early pre-Columbian times. It is best known for being the home of the most famous Pueblo Indian potter, Maria Martinez.

San Ildefonso' s population is small compared to neighboring Santa Clara Pueblo, but maintains its religious traditions and ceremonial feast days. It is also one of the pueblos that is very accessible to tourists. Many excellent potters have produced quality pottery from this pueblo: Blue Corn, Tonita and Juan Roybal, Dora Tse Pe, Rose Gonzales, to name a few. Of course the descendants of Maria Martinez are important pillars of San Ildefonso's pottery tradition.