Welcome to the Loretto Chapel in downtown Santa Fe, a quick and easy yet interesting stop on any walking tour.
It seems that when the church was built in 1878, someone realized there was no good way to get up to the second floor. After praying to the patron saint of carpenters for several days, someone showed up on the front door and said he'd be willing to do it.
During the next several months, our mystery workers put together the staircase. There's no supporting structure; it's not even nailed together. The pieces were carved out in order to fit precisely together. To add to the story, the wood is of a type that is not normally found anywhere near New Mexico.
When it was finished, the carpenter left without asking for money. He didn't even leave his name. But the sign outside calls it "Miraculous Stairway." They may have a point. The railings were added a few years after construction to make it safer for people who use it.
The Chapel is a museum now, so the stairs are the main attraction. Very nice.
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