The Loretto Chapel has been a landmark in Santa Fe New Mexico for more than one hundred years. The chapel is best known for the legend of the “Miraculous Staircase”. The Loretto Chapel built in the 1870’s, was designed after the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris and is believed to be the first Gothic structure west of the Mississippi. The chapel was built to serve the Loretto Academy operated by the sisters of Loretto, but it had a design flaw; there was no way to get to the choir loft from the chapel. Many carpenters were called in for their opinion but because of the height of the loft a conventional staircase would take up to much room. So they either had to rebuild the balcony or use a ladder. Seeking divine guidance, the Sisters made a Novena to their patron saint, Saint Joseph the Carpenter. As the legend goes, on the ninth and final day, a mysterious carpenter arrived at the chapel. He designed and constructed a circular staircase to the choir loft. The only tools he had on his donkey were a saw, carpenter’s square, a hammer and tubs to soak the wood. His “Miraculous Staircase” has 33 steps in two full 360-degree turns. The staircase has no center support, nor is it held from its sides. When the carpenter finished the staircase he disappeared without asking for payment. Today the Loretto Chapel is privately operated and is open to the public for hosting weddings, other special occasions and of course to view the “Miraculous Staircase”. |
