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Santa Fe History, the Mystery Surrounding The Loretto Chapel in New Mexico
SANTA FE, NM -Ever since civilization first settled here, groups have gravitated toward Santa Fe for its inspirational geography and mystical energy. Perhaps it's that history that makes visiting the Inn and Spa at Loretto so special. The historical significance of both the site of the Inn and Spa at Loretto and the famed Loretto Chapel dates back to 1853. History proves a group of nuns journeyed from their Kentucky Motherhouse to Santa Fe, and opened the town’s first academy for girls, the Loretto Academy of our Lady of Light, under the direction of Jean Baptiste. In 1873, after 20 years of educating pupils, Lamy suggested that a chapel be built, which was to be a smaller replica of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. Thus, the now historic Loretto Chapel came to life after nearly five years of construction, headed by builder Projectus Mouly. The design is only 26 feet wide by 100 feet long, with a height of 69.8 feet, and a rear choir loft. The chapel was the first example of Gothic style architecture west of the Mississippi, featuring shallow stone and mortar buttresses, a rose window at the façade and an arched main door. The stained glass windows, altar, pews and stations of the cross were all brought from Europe. Today, the Loretto Chapel receives visitors from across the world. The Loretto Academy has been closed for over 20 years, and in its place is the Inn and Spa at Loretto, the most photographed building in New Mexico.
Our 134 room hotel features adobe-style architecture that is nestled perfectly into its historical surroundings on Old Santa Fe Trail in downtown Santa Fe. Reflecting the Art and Soul of Santa Fe, the Inn displays a southwestern motif with warm, vibrant colors, hand-carved furnishings, and Native American art adorning the walls. Also, the Inn houses three art galleries, a working artist studio and a magnificent Sculpture Garden with a variety of artwork created by local artisans. The Inn’s well known al fresco Patio offers a romantic setting, boasting a stunning earthen tile terrace decorated with lavender and sage. The Patio overlooks the Loretto Chapel and is bedecked with a profusion of colorful flowers, long with a beautiful fountain and kiva fireplace. After the construction was complete, Mother Superior noticed a design flaw – the rear choir loft remained detached with no way up or down. A regular staircase would take up too much room in the small chapel, and therefore, the sisters began a nine day novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of builders and carpenters, asking for his intervention. On the final day of the novena, a gray-haired man leading a donkey with a few basic tools, came to the school and offered to build the needed staircase. Nuns who watched his progress reported that he only used a saw, a T-square and a hammer. Tubs of hot water were used to soak the wood to make it curve perfectly.
The “Miraculous Staircase” was completed, and stands 22 feet high with 33 steps forming two complete 360-degree turns without a center support or any nails. The structure is held together entirely by wooden pegs. The banister was added at a later date. The unknown carpenter disappeared immediately after the completion, without accepting pay. The nuns, chapel architects, carpenters and even disbelievers, all wondered who this man was. They questioned every lumberyard in New Mexico, but to this day, no one has come up with an invoice for the wood that was used in the staircase, and the identity of the man has never been uncovered. Some say the man was St. Joseph himself, but disbelievers claim otherwise. Even more mysterious, the wood he used was foreign to the United States, and no one has been able to identify the source of the wood.
Another legend still alive today, involves a former nun from the order of the Sisters of Loretto, Sister George. It is said that she continues to make “visits” to the site of the old school where the Inn and Spa at Loretto now stands. It has been noted that unusual happenings occur, including lights blinking on and off, footsteps heard in empty rooms and office machines turning themselves on and off. People say it is Sister George’s spirit that wishes to make her presence known due to her 30 years of dedication to the school, and means no harm to those to whom she “appears.”