The Mysterious Staircase

The Mysterious Staircase is a short presentation about the Loretto staircase within the Loretto Chapel in the heart of Sante Fe, New Mexico.

The Loretto Chapel was built in the late 19th century to serve the Sisters of Loretto. When the chapel was near completion in 1878, they realized there was no staircase leading to the choir loft.

According to legend, the Sisters prayed for help to construct a staircase.

A carpenter arrived after on a donkey claiming he could construct a staircase. The carpenter however asked that he be alone during the work which took a number of months.

The Mysterious Staircase that was constructed has two 360-degree turns with no visible means of support. Further, the mysterious staircase does not have glue or nails. It is exactly thirty-three (33) steps.

Additionally, under testing, the wood used does not match any known wood species.

Trey Smith