1. Loretto Chapel

    1. Loretto Chapel

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    Santa Fe, NM

    Loretto Chapel

    4.0 (169 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Loretto Chapel Photos

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    Michelle R.

    Such a beautiful place to visit. Such history and it is preserved so well. It was nice to sit in the chapel, light candles and see the beauty in there. They have a gift shop with reasonably priced, beautiful things to buy. My daughter and I will never forget this experience.

    Spiral staircase without center support
    Victor M.

    Wow this is an easy 5 star, I could spend a whole morning here Will comeback next year!

    Doreen T.

    One of our sightseeing stops in downtown Santa Fe was this charming chapel, where the $5 admission helps support its upkeep. We originally ducked in to wait out the rain but ended up enjoying the visit. The beautiful stained glass and the famous "miraculous" spiral staircase were fascinating to see in person. There's also a continuous audio recording that tells the story behind the chapel and how the staircase was built. A short but memorable stop.

    Irene E.

    A catholic chapel built in the late 1873, commissioned by the Sisters of Loretto as a private school for the girls. It mirrored Paris' the Sainte-Chappelle. The 33 steps "Miraculous Stairway" is most famous. Made carpenter's wood, without center support, resting entirely on its final tread. Legend had it, nearing completion, they realized that they had no access to the upper floor. So the sisters prayed a nine day novena to their patron Saint Joseph. A carpenter came, with a carpenters square, a saw and a hammer. The chapel is small but the gift shop is of equal size.

    Eileen B.

    This is beautiful and for 5 dollar you can go inside and see the twisted stairs There is a gift shop with so many cute and spiritual gifts

    Ericka S.

    Beautiful! We were taking part in an audio walking tour and this was one of the stops. It was of course also recommended by friends and other travelers for the staircase. There's a $5 fee to enter which goes to upkeep of the chapel. Once we entered, I was blown away. The altar and everything around it were gorgeous! The staircase is also really neat. They have a recording playing on a loop that gives the history of the chapel and the stairs, and it was nice to sit in the pews and listen to it for a bit. While we didn't spend a bunch of time here, it was a stop we are glad that we made!

    Entrance
    Natasha A.

    This historic chapel is now a museum, the admission was $10. Small but beautiful and mighty chapel, known for its uniquely built spiral staircase design. Info is shared on a PA speaker.

    Van D.

    If you're hitting the historic plaza in Santa Fe, make time to visit the Loretto Chapel to see the "miraculous staircase" for yourself. The craftsmanship and construction details are phenomenal -- no matter how long you stare at it, it's hard to fathom how it was built.

    Beautiful handcrafted staircase
    Israel G.

    The chapel is now known more as a tourist attraction because of what many consider a kind of miracle: a staircase that humbles master craftsmen today because it was made without power or fancy tools. The staircase was made for people to sing praises to God. This was its purpose and I find this to be a greater miracle: not that we have a made a staircase to a loft but more so that we sing because God became flesh and came down to us to show us that worship is based on His love.

    Adele L.

    Very small and just the staircase. Nothing else to see. If you see my photos, you've seen everything of it. $5 for 5 mins tour.

    Jim N.

    For those who follow me here, I have a passion for churches... the Loretta Chapel in Santa Fe is small, but breathtaking. The centerpiece is the 2 story staircase that was built (by us of the faith) by St. Joseph in response to the prayers of the nuns in residence at the chapel in the 1870s. The builder of the chapel died before the stairs to the choir loft were built. Without funds, the nuns prayed a novena to St. Joseph. On the 9th day of the prayer, a stranger showed up with minimal tools, built the staircase, and disappeared. Modern engineers cannot explain how the spiral staircase exists without any visible means of support. Many to this day believe this was a miracle! The staircase is amazing, and all who see it feel there is something special about it! It's primarily a special event venue now. It costs a few bucks to get in, and the exit takes you through the gift shop! LOL It's well worth the 30 minutes it takes to tour the chapel. Highly recommend the Loretta Chapel!

    Entrance
    Jamie S.

    This is a must-see in Santa Fe. Not only is it beautiful, but the spiral staircase is such a cool story. It's super neat to look at. And it's only $5 to get in. I'd definitely check it out for an up close look at the unsolved mystery of the staircase.

    6/26/2024
    Jenni M.

    On June 26, 2024, I took my young daughters to Loretto Chapel. I paid $11 cash for the three of us to self-tour. Construction of the Chapel began in 1873. The gothic-style architecture should remind you a bit of France... namely, the Sainte Chapelle in Paris which I unfortunately have only seen in photographs. The Loretto architect died before completing this strange structure set in the usual adobe-style Southwest. So the Sisters of Loretto, who founded the all-girls school here, prayed long and hard (9 days which is referred to as a "novena") to St. Joseph (Patron Saint of Carpenters). You can guess - especially if you glanced at my photo first - a mysterious carpenter eventually arrived to build the staircase only to then leave without anyone knowing who he really was. (I find this to be the most miraculous aspect!) This story and other key details about the chapel are narrated through speakers near the left-side aisles. Certain areas, including the staircase, are blocked off. Have a seat on a wooden bench. Sit back. Listen to the narration available only in English & admire the beauty surrounding you. Before exiting through the gift shop, check out the miniature replica of the staircase--it's just as impressive! And what makes this staircase evermore "miraculous?" Just that it "has two complete 360 degree turns with no center pole for structural support. The entire weight of the staircase rests on the bottom stair." I concur with others' sentiments that I wish the banisters and the two small brackets had never been added. Recommended as a stop when in historic Downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, which is near the Plaza. Go there too!

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    9 years ago

    What a beautiful chapel and intriguing mystery. The staircase is a work of art and the stained glass is amazing!

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    14 years ago

    must go to see the staircase I love old churches and this one doesn't disappoint.

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    Page 5 of 5

    Ask the Community - Loretto Chapel

    Is the Loretto Chapel still open for visitors despite the ongoing COVID-19 situation affecting the whole country ? We are in Albuquerque for a stopover and would really like to visit. Please advise.

    YES! It's open and wonderful. You get a great feeling of inner peace when you visit this miraculous Holy Chapel. We just returned yesterday (8/21/2023) after spending 2 days there and the city of Santa Fe is lovely this time of year. there's so… Read more

    Are visitors allowed to ascend the spiral staircase?

    No they won't allow you to do so.

    There is a staircase above the choir loft (not the spiral staircase). What is at the top of that set of stairs?

    The Choir Loft

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Loretto Chapel

    On the 9th day of the prayer, a stranger showed up with minimal tools, built the staircase, and disappeared.

    Mentioned in 88 reviews

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    El Santuario De Chimayo

    El Santuario De Chimayo

    4.9(74 reviews)
    21.0 mi

    Ten years later, I brought Bob, Laurie, and Gayle back to El Santuario De Chimayo and on a Sunday…read moremorning before area services. They sell small empty containers to fill with the Holy Dirt, but we left it at a dab or 2 on Bob's knee and Gayle's neck. So far, the hoped for miracle has not yet occurred. This time around there's a Visitor's Center that I don't remember from before. I stopped in and was greeted by a very friendly volunteer. They also had a bunch of religious art on sale by local folks, which were well done, but not really my style. The Main Sanctuary and the Side room (with the Holy Dirt) in back were what I remembered. The "dirt" found at the well (pocito) in the room is considered holy because in this spot, the crucifix of "Our Lord of Esquipulas" was found in 1810. All that being said, Laurie and Gayle remarked that the Spanish depiction of their Catholicism here was behaps too dark, somber, and bloody. I guess the portrayal of negative consequences does resonate with some folks.

    Visiting the Santuario de Chimayo was a beautiful spiritual experience. You could see the beauty in…read morethis place where we were able to participate in daily mass outside and got a wedding anniversary blessing from Father there. There's a lot to see from the chapels, dirt room, museum, and gift shop. We came early so parking was ok but I can see this place get crowded easily. I will say there were places that asked us not to take photos so please be remember it is a place of prayer.

    Photos
    El Santuario De Chimayo
    El Santuario De Chimayo
    El Santuario De Chimayo

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    Blaze Christian Fellowship - Sunday services 8:30 and 10 am

    Blaze Christian Fellowship

    5.0(1 review)
    8.4 mi

    Let me start by saying I am a member of Blaze Christian Fellowship, and have been attending this…read morechurch for quite some time (over 5 years). I love this church! The pastors are awesome, and are without a doubt fully committed to preaching the Gospel in it's entirety. Their focus on theology is refreshing, to say the least. If you have kiddos, they have an awesome children's ministry with a staff that have a real heart for children! They break down the Gospel, and teach it to the kids at their level (I'm always blown away with how much Gospel application is taught! The understanding my 6 year old gets during Sunday school is incredible! He actually gets mad at us when we miss church. LOL!). There is a true sense of community at Blaze that extends far beyond the walls of the church building, a real sense that you are surrounded by people who actually care, and are willing to walk alongside you through your ups and downs, which brings me to my next point: Community Groups. Community groups are awesome! I can't understate how vital community groups have been to me, personally, in my walk with Jesus! However, this is a huge part of the church that is not experienced by attending a Sunday service. Unfortunately, many people will never understand how important community groups are. There is something special about getting together, sharing a meal, and discussing the sermon that was preached. It's encouraging and challenging. In closing, as a resident of Santa Fe, NM, I have witnessed and participated first hand in meeting needs in our community alongside the members and staff of Blaze. It's a great place to attend if you're looking for a Bible believing, Gospel-centered church that doesn't compromise the message to fit into any mold. PS - If you'd like to listen to a sermon or two before you actually attend, check out the website: www.blazeonline.org

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    Blaze Christian Fellowship

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    Loretto Chapel - churches - Updated July 2026

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