If you haven’t visited the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, or any of the stunning and historic churches in New Mexico, this spring presents you the perfect opportunity. Spring is a wonderful time to visit Santa Fe. The weather is pretty mild here, and the busy crowds of summer have yet to arrive. It’ll seem like you have some of the top Santa Fe attractions, like the Loretto Chapel, entirely to yourself.
The city of Santa Fe is a wonderful place to vacation, but there’s so much more to see in northern New Mexico, including Taos. Why not spend your time situated between the two cities at our northern New Mexico Bed and Breakfast? We offer a convenient home base to explore the top attractions in both cities, not to mention the countless places in between.
More importantly, we offer exquisite hospitality and an authentic New Mexican experience at our beautiful Bed and Breakfast. Just a few minutes away also happens to be one of the most significant historic New Mexico Churches, the Santuario de Chimayó, too. What more could you ask for in your getaway? Book your room at our northern New Mexico Bed and Breakfast today!
Visit the Stunning Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe
The Loretto Chapel is located in the heart of historic Santa Fe, just thirty minutes from our Bed and Breakfast in northern New Mexico. It’s one of the most beautiful historic New Mexico churches and is perhaps most well known for its spiral – “miraculous” – Staircase.
The beautiful Loretto Chapel was built in 1878. The chapel of the church was initially meant to be fashioned after the gothic-style favorite Sainte Chapelle in Paris. However, the architect in charge of building this masterpiece died before completion. You can read more about the events leading up to this. Still, it’s believed that divine intervention ultimately guided the remaining construction, which included the construction of the Miraculous Staircase.
Little is known about who completed the Staircase, but it’s impressive and beautiful nonetheless. It’s miraculous for more reasons than just that, though. The Staircase features two complete 360 degree turns, but it has no center pole for structural support. That means that the entire weight of the Staircase rests on the bottom stair – though structural supports have been added over the years to protect this amazing structure.
The Loretto Chapel is open to the public every day but Christmas. However, the chapel is also a popular site for weddings and events, so it may close without notice.
7 More Historic New Mexico Churches to Visit
As magnificent as the Loretto Chapel is, there are more amazing New Mexico churches worth visiting. From old traditional cathedrals to environmentally conscious monasteries built to reflect the environment, there are stunning churches dotted all around Santa Fe. Here are a few of the best New Mexico Churches to visit after you’ve seen the Loretto Chapel.
- Old San Miguel Mission, which is the oldest church in the country.
- Parish of San Juan Batista & Tewa Missions
- San Geronimo de Taos at the Taos Pueblo
- The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
- The Monastery of Christ in the Desert
- San Jose de Gracia Catholic Church in Las Trampas
Of course, one of the most famous New Mexico churches is just down the street from our Bed and Breakfast. The famed Santuario de Chimayó is a charming Roman Catholic church and a National Historic Landmark, and it’s host to one of the most popular contemporary pilgrimages. On average, around 300,000 visitors come to the Santuario de Chimayó each year, making it one of the most visited tourist attractions in all of New Mexico. The church’s origins date back to 1810.
When you first arrive at the Casa Escondida Bed and Breakfast, you’ll see why we’re rated as one of the best places to stay in northern New Mexico. From the delicious breakfasts you’ll enjoy each morning of your stay and the comfortable guest rooms to the breathtaking views from our property and welcoming hospitality, there’s nothing else like it. Book your room at our New Mexico Bed and Breakfast today.
