Loretto Chapel Museum

Loretto Chapel Museum. The Miraculous Stairway Experience (Santa Fe, NM) During our visit to Santa Fe, we made sure to stop by the legendary Loretto Chapel Museum, famous for its Miraculous Stairway. 🌀 We arrived around 4:30 PM, about half an hour before closing, which was just enough time to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed. Street parking nearby was easy to find there are plenty of metered spots close to the chapel, the Basilica, and the nearby Santa Fe Plaza. Entry tickets are $5 per person, which felt absolutely worth it. Upon entering, we were greeted by a calm, sacred atmosphere, with gentle music and an audio narration explaining the remarkable story behind the spiral staircase how it was built in the 19th century by an unknown carpenter using only wooden pegs, no nails, and with engineering precision that continues to baffle experts today. The staircase itself is stunning a double spiral that appears to float without visible support. Visitors can’t climb it, but you can admire it up close from several angles and take photos (allowed for private use). The entire interior, from the Gothic altar to the stained glass and statues, is beautifully preserved and full of detail. Before leaving, we spent a few minutes in the gift shop, which is surprisingly large and filled with religious art, handcrafted crosses, rosaries, and spiritual keepsakes perfect for thoughtful souvenirs. ⛪️ Tip: Arrive before 4:30 PM to catch both the chapel and the shop, and listen to the full audio story it makes the visit much more meaningful. Truly one of Santa Fe’s most inspiring and photogenic landmarks! 🌟

There was something very special about this place. It felt Holy. A sense of calm and reverence was in the air. I was blown away by the story of the spiral staircase! Can you say Jesus? The colors and details, floor to ceiling and wall to wall were just absolutely brilliant. I'm grateful we scheduled time specifically to visit this place. BRW-The gift shop was great, a bit pricey but it's kind of what a person would expect in a souvenir/gift shop.

Although busy. This local landmark is filled with history and mystery from earth to the heavens. Lots to see. And be sure to bring some spending money as the gift shop has a lot to purchase. The cost for entry is affordable and to see the staircase in person is a gift. Be sure to leave a prayer and light a candle. This location is dog friendly as well.

A must see for your bucket list, the Miraculous Stairway is in the Chapel. Google the documentary, truly amazing. Nice gift shop on premises. $5 admission ( for upkeep & general maintenance of grounds- very old church building)

It was more interesting than I thought a stairway would be. Really thinking about what it took to build this cathedral back in the late 1800's is mind-boggling. French windows, Italian marble....in the middle of the desert where everything else is Adobe. Although there are bigger and more fantastic chapels in the world, it does give some very interesting insight into local history. There are more period photos in books in the gift shop worth a look. Easily experience in 40-60min

I did not know that I'd be able to see this Miraculous Stairway that baffled architects and engineers. The structure did not use any support, nails or even glue. The history of this chapel and it's stairway is something that makes it really amazing. A carpenter showed up after the nuns prayed a novena to St. Joseph. It is believed that St. Joseph the patron saint of carpenters constructed this stairway himself. After 6 months of its construction, the carpenter disappeared without collecting any fee. The nuns advertised if anyone knows this person and no one showed up to collect fees.

This is a small, intimate space. It has beautiful windows, wall art and, of course, the stairway is famous. I am a woodworker and looked at the staircase for 20 minutes. I just can't see how such a beautiful structure can stand - but it does and has and will. There were a lot of folks in the Chapel when we went but we had no problems getting around. I could see just sitting there for hours soaking the serenity and beauty of the place. I've never been in such a small church and found the experience captivating. A must do!!!

The Loretto Chapel Museum and Gift Shop is a peaceful and beautifully curated experience that goes beyond just viewing the famous staircase. The museum portion provides fascinating insight into the chapel’s history, the legend of the spiral staircase, and the Sisters of Loretto themselves. It adds depth and context to what might otherwise be just a quick visit. The gift shop is a pleasant surprise—well-stocked, spacious, and filled with tasteful, meaningful items ranging from religious keepsakes and local artisan goods to books and unique souvenirs. It’s not your typical touristy gift shop—it has charm and quality. Overall, this is a wonderful stop that blends history, faith, and thoughtful curation, making it a worthwhile visit even if you’ve already seen the chapel itself.

If you're a fan of architecture and/or unexplained phenomena, this is a must-stop in Santa Fe for you! This beautiful chapel, with its mysterious spiral staircase (supposedly built by an unknown carpenter who disappeared after finishing the job, and who appeared after the nuns had prayed for help in finishing this part of the structure) is definitely worth seeing. No one apparently knows who the carpenter was (the nuns thought it to be St. Joseph); it's curious that the wood used is supposedly not indigenous to the area and no nails were used to join the staircase, and there's no central pillar or support for the staircase. I wish the narration wasn't just piped in over a loudspeaker but rather was on playaways that could be checked out from the desk or gift shop, or on an app that you could temporarily download on your phone. It rather detracts from this beautiful space.

On June 26, 2024, I took my young daughters to Loretto Chapel. I paid $11 cash for the three of us to self-tour. Construction of the Chapel began in 1873. The gothic-style architecture should remind you a bit of France... namely, the Sainte Chapelle in Paris which I unfortunately have only seen in photographs. The Loretto architect died before completing this strange structure set in the usual adobe-style Southwest. So the Sisters of Loretto, who founded the all-girls school here, prayed long and hard (9 days which is referred to as a "novena") to St. Joseph (Patron Saint of Carpenters). You can guess - especially if you glanced at my photo first - a mysterious carpenter eventually arrived to build the staircase only to then leave without anyone knowing who he really was. (I find this to be the most miraculous aspect!) This story and other key details about the chapel are narrated through speakers near the left-side aisles. Certain areas, including the staircase, are blocked off. Have a seat on a wooden bench. Sit back. Listen to the narration available only in English & admire the beauty surrounding you. Before exiting through the gift shop, check out the miniature replica of the staircase--it's just as impressive! And what makes this staircase evermore "miraculous?" Just that it "has two complete 360 degree turns with no center pole for structural support. The entire weight of the staircase rests on the bottom stair." I concur with others' sentiments that I wish the banisters and the two small brackets had never been added. Recommended as a stop when in historic Downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, which is near the Plaza. Go there too!

$5 to view a roped-off staircase. Took 5 minutes. Was not worth it for us. Muffled repeating soundtrack playing constantly through loudspeakers.

The Loretto Chapel was an interesting stop, but nothing to write home about. Rather than having people pay admission, they should have a donation jar. Especially since they are more than likely already making money from the gift shop. The church is no doubt beautiful, and the staircase is wonderous, but I didn't like how they added railings to the stairs. It takes away from the actual mystery of them and what was originally there.

We had a little time to kill and heard about the "Miraculous Stairs" and figured we would check them out the first time we tried the line was super long the reason why there is a line is because they charge per person to see the Chappel. Its $5 per adult and a small discount for Seniors and Children. It really is just walking into the church and taking some pics of the stairs. For $1 you can light a candle at the altar. Then you exit through a gift store filled with all kinds of things. If you want to see the stairs and you have a religious connection, I would recommend this but before I would look up the story so you have something to relate it too. If this review helped you, please mark it as helpful and follow me for more around the world.

The Loretto chapel located in downtown Santa Fe is a beautiful building. Now privately owned as a historical landmark it houses a structural carpentry marvel, built on 1865, that is attributed to Saint Joseph. Publicized by Unsolved Mysteries the staircase was built by an unknown traveler after the nuns prayed for an answer to access the choir loft. A small admission price is utilized to continue preservation of this beautiful building. Highly recommend if you were in the Santa Fe area to see the chapel

Amazing and beautiful church. The architecture is amazing to see pictures don't justify the beauty. If you are in the area it's a must see

Beautiful Chapel. The inside is awesome. The story behind the construction and sourced wood for building the staircase will blow your mind. Must see.

Wasn't open to the public today. There's a restaurant on site, Illuminara. Would be interesting to see the inside of this small chapel. Wondering if it looks more outstanding than the exterior of it at all.

Love the story of the Miraculous Holy Staircase!! You can find this staircase inside Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It costs $5 per person to enter, but I feel that it is worth it. Many folks feel that this is a tourist trap, but I'm not one of them. The weekend we visited, the little Chapel was filled with people. Most folks were hanging out at the back of the church because that is where the staircase is located. While sitting at the pews, you can listen to the story of Loretto Chapel and how the Holy Staircase was built. I do not believe that any masses or services are done at Loretto Chapel anymore. Although, I think that you can book your wedding here. After taking photos and listening to the story of the Miraculous staircase, we sat down at the front of the chapel. We lit a candle, and we said our prayers thanking God for giving us the opportunity to visit the Loretto Chapel in person. Awesome experience!!

I think the $5 admission is a little steep for one room ($3 might hit better to me), but the place is in pristine condition. I know that doesn't happen for free. My husband & I had seen the staircase on some spooky mysteries show years ago but I was also familiar with it because my grandmother sang in the choir here as a child. Very cool to see the stairs in person but the entire chapel itself is a sight to behold. You can't stop in Santa Fe without a visit to Loretto.

Beautiful Gothic Revival chapel completed in 1878. The design is based on Sainte-Chapelle in Paris (one of my favorites). It composed of soaring spires, buttresses, and stained glass windows which were imported from France via the Santa Fe Trail. The Miraculous Spiral Staircase The Loretto Chapel is best known for its "miraculous" spiral staircase. The staircase rises 20 feet to the choir loft, making two full turns, seemingly unsupported. Built mainly from wood, it is held together by wooden pegs and glue instead of nails. Handrails were eventually added as well. According to legend, as the chapel was being completed, there still was no access to the choir loft. Unable to find a suitable carpenter to complete the stairs, the the nuns prayed for nine straight days to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the final day, their prayers were answered. A mysterious stranger appeared and offered to build the staircase for free. Using simple hand tools, he built the spiral staircase and and then disappeared afterwards without revealing his identity or collecting any payment. Today, the Loretto Chapel is a privately owned museum and wedding venue, yet the secret of the staircase still remains a mystery.

It's one of those historical places in Santa Fe that would make you go "Yea, I've been there!". It's only $5 to get in, and you can stay in the chapel as long as you want. Basically what it is is you go in the sanctuary where people have to be quiet but there's a loud narration recording on the history of the place. You can also get a selfie with the "Miracle Staircase" like I did. They have a huge gift shop as well, but mostly religious stuff.

One of the most awe inspiring places to visit. It's history added to the quiet and peaceful environment makes this a wonderful stopping point. Of course, the famous mystical staircase is amazing and interesting. It blows the mind to hear the story that is repeated on a loop. Pro tip: sit in one of the pews with a speaker as the acoustics aren't the best. Stop in, rest, think, be awed by its majesty.

The first time I saw this place was on TV from watching Unsolved Mystery. After a few years, I'm finally here, visiting the Loretto Chapel. Looking at the miraculous stairs in person up close and personal is a feeling I can't explain. If you are in Santa Fe, New Mexico, please have time to visit the chapel. It's located in the old town of Santa Fe. The parking is easy to find, and you can be in and out of the chapel for about 15-30 minutes.

This "miraculous" staircase is a sham. Full stop. "It's built with no nails!" Yes, they used wooden pegs. Not uncommon for a skilled carpenter. "It doesn't have visible support!" No, it doesn't have a pole in the center(newel). Without it the stairs can act like a spring, which they did. This is why that added support to the stringers originally used. "It can't be emulated by the greatest scientist of the world!" I don't know how many scientists it takes to built a staircase but luckily this one was built by a carpenter. You can see similar staircases across Europe so maybe their scientists were more skilled. "The guy showed up out of nowhere and disappeared without collecting the money. It's a miracle!" The guy was French and was paid to buy the wood which is in the log book. He was murdered shortly after finishing the staircase. François-Jean "Frank" or "Frenchy" Rochas was his name and even the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper states "He was a Frenchman, and was favorably known in Santa Fe as an expert worker in wood. He built the handsome stair-case in the Loretto chapel and at St. Vincent sanitarium." So, as you can see, it is pure BS created by those looking to convert people with invented miracles and peddled by those that continue to profit from it. Are there real miracles? Hard to say. I wouldn't trust a Yelp review for the definite answer. You can be sure from this Yelp review that that this isn't one.

When is a church not a church? When it's a chapel of love 'cause we're goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get ma-a-arried, goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get ma-a-arried. Gee, I really love you and we're gonna get ma-a-arried. Goin' to the chapel of love. Thank you. No, please sit down. This is indeed a church where people get betrothed but there are no services. It's really a tiny museum with one real attraction, the magical staircase. Cue for the angelic choir. Indeed it did look like it was built with no visible physical support (photo: http://bit.ly/2KCkleG). It turns out that's pretty much what your five bucks gets you because otherwise it's a cute chapel and not much more. The adjoining academy closed in 1968 and has since turned into a pricey hotel and spa. Jamie W. and I stumbled into the posh lobby through an exit door. When we were in need of the facilities, we were told in a snippy tone that the public-looking restrooms were for hotel guests only. So much for Starbucks civility. Guess the $5 doesn't take you too far here. RELATED - Do you know the way to Santa Fe? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: bit.ly/2I4mWdq

It was worth seeing the staircase but the Chapel was crowded with tourists taking selfies spilling into a big gift shop. The $5 admission fee really made it feel touristy too. Was expecting something a little more reverent and spiritual. If you want a more spiritual experience, the Cathedral was great. But seeing the staircase was nice.

This is a staple and must visit if you are in Santa fe. It is the First gothic structure west of the Mississippi. Built between1873-1878, patterned after St chapelle in Paris . Known for its Miraculous stairway, which has 360 degrees turns without any central support . It was originally with no rails and these were added later (1887?) . Windows are Handcrafted Stained glass in 1874 . Station of the cross and alter from Italy , made from marbled dust . This place is truly a 19th century treasures.

It's a $5 entry fee but definitely worth it. The history of this church is full of wonderment. The interior itself is glorious. It's small as far as Catholic churches go but you cant deny the faith you feel. This place is humbling.

It's not even a chapel anymore, it's on the grounds of a hotel and it's a big tourist trap. There's an entrance fee-which should have tipped me off that it wasn't a working church anymore and all so you can walk in and...that's it. The staircase is there and they sell you the story but once you get in that's really kind of it. Well, there's the gift shop, I basically paid 5 dollars to get the opportunity to spend more money. It is literally a glorified event space that charges admission.

As others have said, this is not a church, but a tourist trap. A church charging admissions? Yep. Admission to see the staircase is $5.00 a person... not much, but save the money and look at the pictures online. The gift shop attached is over-priced. Glad I passed on a silver cross because I was able to find a more beautiful silver and turquoise cross hand-made by one of the Indian tribes.

THE BIGGEST TOURIST TRAP EVER! If you want to see strange and miraculous things head to Meow Wolf instead. Or if you prefer viewing a similar chapel, I'd suggest the San Miguel Church a block away, which is the oldest church structure in the US, its free and far more amusing. The Loretto Chapel is simply a huge tourist trap that really isn't worth your 10 minutes inside or your $5. A friend of ours mentioned the miraculous staircase in the Loretto Chapel, so we added it to our itinerary for Santa Fe during our trip to New Mexico. Little did we know that they charge admission to enter the chapel just to view this staircase and the admission is now $5 per person. The shady part is that there are no signs for admission outside so once you start standing in line to enter the chapel, they immediately catch you off guard with the admission. The staircase itself looks like any spiral staircase, but made out of wood. It only reaches the second story and hardly "miraculous" in my eyes. 90% of the crowd inside the chapel are old retired folks who also probably fell for the trap and didn't know better. I really wish we did more research ourselves so we didn't have to waste the money. The lamest part of this is that they seem to monetize the chapel and staircase so much where they have a gift shop adjacent to the chapel that sell keychains and magnets of the staircase. This just seems completely unnecessary and ridiculous that they try so hard to monetize this religious place.

Small, quaint, sacred, beautiful, peaceful, nice service at the entrance, $5 so reasonable. The gift shop staff (a man who helped me find a Christmas ornament) was so kind and patient. In my opinion, an overall better experience than The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi because of the way we were able to sit down in the pews, close your eyes, rest and pray, but also because of the story of the staircase, AND the gift shops are so much better; they have more shops and they're more varied.

Our tour guide Victoria was awesome. She made our visit special through her obvious passion for what she does. She truly cares about sharing the story and space with visitors embodying an energy that is contagious. This place is sacred. The beauty and history of this enchanted chapel were luckily preserved (when the Catholic Church could no longer afford to keep it up,) due in large part to the miracle that still stands inside its doors. It is a must see on your visit to Santa Fe. See the staircase, still in the quiet for a few minutes to reflect, let the peaceful energy of this place renew you. You can afford $5 to see a miracle and to help preserve this precious treasure.

While in Rome... No! Wait! While in Santa Fe, apparently, you visit old churches. I'm not particularly a religious individual but religious institutions have the market cornered when it comes to beautiful buildings. We arrived in Santa Fe extra early and we had to do something to pass the time before the museums and food spots opened. That brings us to Loretto Chapel. I knew nothing about this chapel. My lovely was talking about how it was a place people would pilgrimage to. She also pointed out a sign on the way in on how the place was featured on Unsolved Mysteries. If I remember correctly, it's the first Gothic style church west of the Mississippi. It's beautiful on the inside and out. It's no longer a functioning church. It's now a museum that gets packed with tourists. On the day we were there, there were around two dozen people in the main hall. There isn't much to see in this church other than the church. The stairs exist. Oh, maybe I should clarify... these are miraculous stairs. The story goes that people prayed for days, a carpenter showed up, built the stairs, and bounced. Apparently, that's worthy of some type of divinity. As with most things, I'm skeptical of the story behind them. This place is filled with tourists and honestly, it's more spectacle than spiritual. It is only three dollars(As of April 2017) to get in. If it was a penny more, I'd tell you to enjoy it from the outside. Since it is only three dollars, it's worth it if you want to be lazy and not Google the story of this church. Paying three dollars to check out a church seems odd to me. Others have mentioned there being some type of energy here. I can see that. I'm not sure if it is the story about the stairs, people's excitement about the place, or the overwhelming beauty of the structure but there is something special about this place. I'm sure the diehard religious fans are blinded by this place. Manifestations à la biblical. In short, if you're in Santa Fe and have time to kill, check it out. Don't plan your Santa Fe trip around this chapel.

You MUST go here when in Santa Fe. The Loretto Chapel is home to the miraculous staircase that you may have seen on the tv show Unsolved Mysteries. You need to go witness the phenomenon for your self, and while there take a moment to reconnect spiritually. For more on what to do while in Santa Fe, check out our blog. https://kasventures.org/2019/09/16/one-day-in-santa-fe/

Checked out Loretto Chapel because of the mysterious spiral staircase. They charge an entrance fee $4pp, I think it's pretty high to see a church, but they use it for maintenance, etc. We spent about 10-15 minutes to look around and take some pics. There's a small gift shop too. Worth a visit to see the spiral staircase.

Loretto Chapel really is a must-see in Santa Fe. It is gorgeous with its 1870's workmanship. The spiral staircase is, of course, the star, and did not disappoint. The entire effect of the interior of the chapel is breathtaking. Visitors were very respectful of the space, keeping mostly silent and maintaining quiet as they observed, knelt, lit candles, etc. Unfortunately the gentleman manning the ticket desk spoiled the quiet of the experience. He was talking/laughing nonstop in a very loud voice just feet away from the chapel. It was even difficult to hear the informational audio due to his volume.

The staircase mystery.... They were made without the use of nails or apparent center support. Chapel is beautiful but I admired an impressive work of carpentry more. Handrails were added later, just imagine how scary could it be without them. It's museum and wedding chapel. I cannot remember how much they charged but I seemed to remember getting $5 bill, then don't remember what happened after as I didn't keep the receipt. They play history in the background, I sat there and listened to the history of this chapel while admiring the staircase. I saw several pictures of the wedding held here. All the brides looked so beautiful posed on the staircase. Staircase was closed to public, I guess they make it available only for photo shooting for wedding couple? The way the dress curved and staircase created very attractive image. Gift shop is attached to the museum/chapel, selling lots of angel stuff. Oh I wish I could climb this staircase.

We've visited the beautiful and historical Loretto Chapel many times over the years and we couldn't leave Santa Fe without a visit this time. The Chapel is just outside of The Inn and Spa at Loretto hotel. First, here's a little history regarding Loretto Chapel from their website.... "When the Loretto Chapel was completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft twenty-two feet above. Carpenters were called in to address the problem, but they all concluded access to the loft would have to be via ladder as a staircase would interfere with the interior space of the small Chapel. Legend says that to find a solution to the seating problem, the Sisters of the Chapel made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later, the elegant circular staircase was completed, and the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks. After searching for the man (an ad even ran in the local newspaper) and finding no trace of him, some concluded that he was St. Joseph himself, having come in answer to the sisters' prayers. The stairway's carpenter, whoever he was, built a magnificent structure. The design was innovative for the time and some of the design considerations still perplex experts today." https://www.lorettochapel.com/staircase.html This is why so many people travel far and wide to see the historic miraculous staircase. It's nice to sit in the pews of this lovely little chapel and say a prayer and take in all of it's beauty. Funny tidbit ...while we were there, several other people were reading about the staircase, praying and listening to a tape explaining about the Chapel and the Staircase...all of the sudden a woman bolts from the back of the Chapel and grabs a bag she left in one of the front pews....Whaaat??? The bag enclosed a little teacup Yorkie who had started barking and the woman had smuggled him in via a "vented purse like" bag. He was sick of it and was letting everyone know about it. LOL. I don't know where she scooted off to but, she / he was back a few minutes later...I guess he got a good talking to..."don't be barking in church!" =D

Beautiful venue for a wedding. Warm and cozy. Staircase is stunning. Architecture was unbelievable and I hope we can go.back.

This place is gorgeous! The wooden staircase needs to be studied with how immaculate it is! Was attending a wedding here, and the backdrop of the stained glass was to die for. Great historic site to visit, if you are in the Sante Fe area.

Former Roman Catholic church now museum. Built in 1878 & Gothic style by Antoine and Projectus Mouly from Paris. Stellar helix-shaped spiral staircase (the "Miraculous Stair"). The name and origin of the builder have still not been verified. THE CHAPEL, CHURCH & STAIRCASE ARE AMAZINGLY BUILT AND MIND BLOWING TO SEE UP CLOSE! Light a candle in this very spiritual place, it's a MUST visit in the City of Holy Faith!!

This is a cool historic site, with a staircase with a neat story about the answered nuns' prayer. They were in need of a staircase for the choir loft in a small space, and an anonymous carpenter appeared and built it. It has a unique with a unique design and no support. Unfortunately later the handrail was added, as was one support due to excessive traffic in the area. They have an audio story that plays every 10 minutes or so that lasts about 5 minutes (estimates). My only qualm is that it's $5 for an adult and $4 for kid/senior. I think the money goes to the nunnery. Personally I think a freewill donation makes more sense since it's a church, after all.

Stairway to Heaven! The Loretto Chapel is worth a quick visit. It's right off the Plaza of Santa Fe, and there's interesting shops all between the two. It's an old church that has a cool history behind the staircase inside. The previous staircase had rotted away with heavy use by nuns and priests going up to the choir loft. The church didn't have the money to repair it, and the dilapidated staircase was hindering their pious ways. So they prayed about it. One dark and stormy night, a man came by asking for a place to stay, and said that he'd build them a new staircase in exchange for a place to stay and some food. They took pity on the guy, and took him up on his offer, and let him get to work. He finished the staircase in no time, and didn't even use a single nail! It's an amazing staircase that defies gravity, with amazing workmanship. The church attempted to pay the mysterious carpenter, but he was gone before they could offer him any payment, leaving as mysteriously as he arrived. It was a miracle! It took a team of engineers to figure out how he put it together, and there isn't another staircase like it in the world. It's not exactly contemplative hanging out in here, since they have a repeated recorded history of the church and staircase instead of some church hymns or something. Be sure to check out the marble-looking altar and the Stations of the Cross along the wall. Those stations are from Italy. The pews are rarely full, and you can hang out in the indoors as long as you wanna. It's a nice chapel, where people get married and have events, but I don't think it's a true functioning church anymore. It doesn't seem that they have regular mass like a real church, and they charge admission. I've only been to one other church that has the gall to charge a fee to get enter a holy church and seek salvation. The cost isn't high. But the carpenter didn't accept payment, seems like they shouldn't either. But they take your cash. You gotta exit through the gift shop, where they sell New Mexican-esque religious items to commemorate your trip. They don't let you climb the stairs.

The most interesting thing about this chapel is the miraculous staircase. It was originally built with no railings, no nails and no power tools. I think it's a must see in Santa Fe with only a $5 entrance fee. A peaceful place to go and reflect on your thoughts. The visitor guides are knowledgeable and helpful.

The church was small and very beautiful. The selling point seems to be the Miraculous Staircase, which admittedly was pretty great, but the rest of the decor was more impressive to me. It's worth seeing if you get the chance. My problem is the marketing of this church. It cost $3 per person to get in, then you can pay an extra $1 to light a candle at the front, then there is an attached gift shop you have to exit through that sells a lot of overpriced religious items. For example, for a mere $3.50 you can buy an ounce of "holy water." The church was really nice, but I kept waiting for Jesus to storm in and turn over all the tables.

The formerly consecrated Loretto Chapel and it's famous stairs, are well worth the trip when you are in Santa Fe! The history of the stairs are incredible. Like me, if you have ever tried to build or fix something around the house, there comes a point where in spite (or is it despite?) our best laid plans... things go awry. Well, that same thing happened to the builders of this Chapel. As the built, they found there was no room left for the stairs leading up to the Choir area. Wow, I am so glad someone else did something like this. D'oh!!! According to the website: "The staircase has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support. Also, it is said that the staircase was built without nails--only wooden pegs. Questions also surround the number of stair risers relative to the height of the choir loft and about the types of wood and other materials used in the stairway's construction. "The Loretto Academy was closed in 1968, and the property was put up for sale. At the time of sale in 1971, Our Lady of Light Chapel was deconsecrated and is now a "private museum operated and maintained, in part, for the preservation of the staircase and the Chapel itself." It's worth the couple of bucks to visit someone else's mistake. Think about it. For more information: http://www.lorettochapel.com/staircase.html Enjoy!

I returned to the Loretto chapel in September and the wonder is still there. Plus I love the spiritual background story of the spiral staircase. It does cost a modest amount to enter, but it probably takes more than the gift shop to keep up the facility. Actually, another money maker seems to be weddings. You normally can't stand or walk on the staircase, but if special events such as Holy Matrimony allows a very nice opportunity with photos. Inquire within.

Just a fabulous place to take a break and take in the Chapel. There are 14 pictures of the Crucifixion. Spiritual. They have some old guy at the ticket counter who must have an inside person to give him a job. He tried to rip us off. Gave him $ 20 bill for one Senior and one Adult. He did not give any money back. When asked, he said "I will have to trust you". No telling if he pockets $ 20/day for himself. He returned $ 10 instead of $ 11. I guess it is hard to get young help now a days.

A must see stop in Santa Fe. Stop in to see the staircase, pay $3, stock up on your Winchester/Supernatural supplies (holy water, rosaries, what-have-you). It's a cute, quaint, tourist attraction.

Having been to the Loretto Chapel as a ten year old boy, when I had the opportunity to visit during an overnight stay in Santa Fe, I couldn't resist. The $5 admission fee is well worth it as along as you understand that this is more a museum than a chapel. The staircase is the most famous feature of the chapel. I learned that when originally built, there was no railing. Yikes. Its 22 feet from bottom to top, and apparently some acrophobic Sisters asked for the railing to be installed some time later. Most remarkable is that the staircase has no center support, and was built with no nails or power tools. Just hand tools and wooden legs. The altar area is beautiful. If you're expecting a sublime spiritual experience, you will likely be disappointed because of the touristy nature of the facility.

Loretto Chapel is one place you wouldn't want to miss when you are in Santa Fe, NM. The miraculous stairs are so beautiful. You would just sit and look at the craftsmanship and wonder how can anyone do this. The only downfall is that there is no parking that's why you have to look for any surrounding public parking structure, I am so blessed that I came here exactly on my birthday and witness this amazing structure. I would highly recommend for anyone to see this stairs,

I've heard about Loretto Chapel for years. Miracle or no miracle this is certainly an engineering marvel. I can imagine how the original stairwell looked like a path to heaven without the banisters. What a steep, narrow climb! But for the age of the stairs and the lore behind the their handiwork, this really is an amazing feat. The rest of the church is sunny and has a very happy setting. Despite it's gothic architecture, it shies away from dark and grey and actually brings in a lot of white, pastel, and light.

Change up your Art Tour of Santa Fee... Stop here, take a load off your feet and listen to a wonderful story! The story is filled with faith, intrigue, love and mystery. Wonderful! I think it's about 30 minutes. It's on a constant repeat so if you get there and it seems like you missed something... just hang around... it starts up again. The church is quaint, intimate, peaceful and beautiful inside. Like everyone else has said.. the main attraction - The Staircase - is amazing!

I heard about this church on the radio. I was very intrigued to see the staircase. I was not disappointed. The staircase is marvelous. My biggest disappointment came from the people charging $4 entrance per person. I mean, it's not a big amount of money. My question is why do they have to make a profit out of faith? Even to light up a candle you have to pay. If Jesus could see this he would feel so disappointed by these people's actions.

Does this amazing place need a review?? It's 100% worth visiting. $4 to get in, yes they take cards! Take some cash to light a candle ($1) Make sure to listen to or read the history! Grab some holy water on the way out.

Such a beautiful and spiritual place! A must do if you are in Santa Fe. I was moved by the chapel and the miraculous place to visit. Please look up the story before you visit! The staircase is an engineering wonder!