Between faith, art and mystery in Santa Fe

In the heart of Santa Fe, where adobe and art merge with history, stands a chapel that is much more than a spiritual refuge: the Loretto Chapel. At first glance, its neo-Gothic facade looks like a European jewel nestled in the American Southwest. But what has really made this place a must-see stop is a staircase that defies logic, engineering... and perhaps even physics.

Built in 1878 by the Sisters of Loretto, the chapel had a problem: the architect died before designing a staircase to the choir. And no solution seemed to work, as space was at a premium. That's when, legend has it, a mysterious carpenter appeared in answer to the nuns' prayers. In complete silence, and with basic tools, he built a work that to this day leaves visitors dumbfounded: a spiral staircase, with no nails or central support, that makes two complete turns on itself.

The man disappeared without a trace. And with him, the plans, the payment and any explanation.

For more than a century, this fact was considered a true miracle. Hence its name: "The Miraculous Staircase". It was even said that the stranger could have been St. Joseph himself, patron saint of carpenters.

However, more recent research suggests a less divine but equally fascinating theory: François-Jean Rochas, a French craftsman who lived nearby, may have been the builder. His style and techniques match, and he is known to have worked on similar structures in the region. He died in unclear circumstances, however, and never left a written record of having worked on the chapel, which only adds to the legend.

The truth is that, beyond faith or technique, what amazes is the beauty of the work. It is made of a non-native wood, assembled with incredible precision, and its perfect curvature seems to float in the air. It is, at the same time, an artistic feat, a piece of advanced engineering... and a symbol of the mystery that surrounds the history of Santa Fe.

Today, the Loretto Chapel is a place of contemplation, beauty and reflection. Sitting on its benches, looking up and looking up that impossible staircase is to open oneself to astonishment, devotion and unanswered questions. A moment of silence in the midst of art and history that leaves a mark difficult to erase.