San Geronimo de Taos is a formidable fortress that withstood raiding parties, cannon fire, and direct attack before its destruction. The church tower, which doubled as a guard tower, provided a clear view of the surrounding plains, and the heavily fortified village was described as resembling walled cities from the Bible. Bishop Tamarón visited Taos when the relationship between the pueblos, Spanish, Comanche, and Apache was volatile, and frequent raids had driven the Spanish settlers from their homesteads in the valley.