Loretto Chapel has remained one of the most interesting travel experiences I have ever had. I was only about 10 or 11 when I went to Santa Fe with my family and we stopped in to see this church everyone kept telling us to visit. I have always been a spiritually sceptical but impressionable person, so I was really blown away by the story of the spiral stairs in the church. (click the link for a short history) Whether it was divine intervention or an act of supreme kindness, the stairs of Loretto Chapel are breathtaking and awe-inspiring. When I next find myself in the southwest, I will most surely be going back to Santa Fe for one more look.

The stairs would be a lot more impressive if they could be used. I understand that they are old, but it's terrible to go and just look, especially since the chapel itself is very small and can really only be looked at for so long. The gift shop is practically bigger than the chapel.

Negatives aside, it really is a fascinating Gothic building in the midst of so much adobe. The homeless man outside was very considerate, and warned me (after I told him I had no cash) that it wasn't free to look at the stairs.

The Miraculous Staircase, which legend says was constructed or inspired by St. Joseph the Carpenter, was built sometime between 1877 and 1881. It took at least six months to build, and has two 360 degree turns with no visible means of support.

Toute la ville construite en adobe dans le style de l'architecture amérindienne des pueblos. La place de l'ancien palais du gouverneur et ses artisans amérindiens.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm