Santa Fe - Old Santa Fe Trail

Immediately beyond the La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe is Loretto Chapel, built in the 1870s. This Neo-Gothic structure, with its straight lines and ornate details, stands in contrast to the numerous adobe churches in Santa Fe.

High above the entrance is a lovely rose window. The churches stained glass was brought in from Paris, making the long journey by ship to New Orleans and then by wagon to Santa Fe. The Miraculous Staircase, one of the main highlights of the chapel, is a spiral staircase leading to the gallery. It is said by legend to have been possibly made by St Joseph the Carpenter himself, sometime around the construction of chapel. Its design is also very unique and would have been ahead of its time when it was built.

The Loretto Chapel no longer functions as a religious center. It was deconsecrated in the early 1970s and is now a museum.

The Santa Fe Women's Ensemble has been performing at the Loretto Chapel for almost two decades. Performances also take place at Rosario Chapel.