Showing 1-2 of 2 results
-
Loretto Chapel
The small Gothic Loretto Chapel , modeled after Sainte Chapelle in Paris, was also commissioned by Archbishop Lamy. But when architect Projectus Mouly (hired after his father, the original architect, went blind) began 'courting' the archbishop's niece-in-law, well, the chapel was left without an architect. And a staircase. And so the Sisters of Loretto prayed to St Joseph, patron of carpenters, for divine intercession, or at least something to replace the darned ladder. Sure enough, a mysterious man with a burro, T-square and hammer appeared, asking for two tubs of water and perfect solitude. The sisters complied, and using neither nails nor any obvious support structure, the white-haired stranger completed the famously graceful spiral staircase. Then he disappeared. Of course. Today St Joseph's Miraculous Staircase is popular among tourists and wedding photographers, but regular services are no longer held here. The adjacent gift shop is packed with Catholic kitsch.
-
Rancho de las Golondrinas
About 15 miles south of downtown Santa Fe, in the town of La Cienega, Rancho de las Golondrinas is a grassy oasis that has been a popular overnight for weary travelers for at least 10,000 years, and many of the historic structures housing this living-history museum were built by Spanish explorers who fortified the area in 1625. The 200-acre preserve has rescued dozens more original Spanish buildings from the bulldozers of progress and brought them from all over the Southwest for respectful renovation. Volunteers use centuries-old equipment to re-create colonial life, and blacksmiths, weavers and lots of cuddly livestock - including rare Churro sheep sheared annually at the Spring Festival, in early June - keep the kids entertained. Special events include Civil War reenactments in May, a popular Wine Festival in July and a Harvest Festival in October with dancing, grape crushing, an arts market and more.
Showing 1-2 of 2 results
