Construction of the Loretto Chapel began in 1873. The Gothic Revival architecture of the Chapel of Loretto is considered as a result of the influence exercised by the then-ruling French clergy in the city and inspired by the similar archicture of Sainte-Chapelle of King Louis IX in Paris. Although the chapel was officially completed in 1878, it had undergone various renovations and additions such as the Gothic Altar and Stations of the Cross.
Nowadays, however, the chapel is best known for its ?miraculous? staircase. Known by various names such as the Santa Fe Staircase or Miraculous Staircase Santa Fe, the Loretto Chapel staircase was, according to legends, built or inspired by none other than St. Joseph the Carpenter himself. Construction of the Loretto Staircase had taken at least six months and able to complete 2 360-degree turns without any visible support.
In 1971, the Loretto Chapel had been unofficially deconsecrated and had since then been maintained as a private museum.
| |