The theme for this week's photohunt is spiral. I kind of had a "ha" moment when I checked the themes last night, since I just posted a spiral staircase photo for my "Guess Where" post from yesterday. But when I voiced my "problem" of needing a different spiral photo to post toady out loud, my husband Bill, brilliantly, suggested the Santa Fe's Mysterious Staircase. So to New Mexico we go today, and even though my photos aren't that great, the story is nothing short of amazing.
Completed in 1878, Santa Fe's beautiful Loretto Chapel had a serious architectural defect in that a staircase to the choir loft--22-feet above the church floor--could not possibly be completed because of the small interior of the church. Carpenters concluded that the only way to get to the loft was to use a ladder. Faced with desperation, the sisters of the chapel prayed for Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters, to enlighten the carpenters to see a solution to the chapel's problem. On the ninth and final day of the sisters' novena to St. Joseph, a man with toolbox appeared on a donkey asking for work. The sisters hired him to build a staircase for the loft. The legend goes that months later, a spiral staircase was erected and the man was no where to be found. He left without even collecting his wages or getting his thanks. The sisters believed that it was St. Joseph himself who came answering their prayers.
The spiral staircase is mysterious not just because of the lack of identity of the man who built it, but because the spiral staircase with two 360-degree turns has no nails or visible means of support. Only wooden pegs hold this spiral staircase in place.
Happy Weekend All!
Comments (22)
Wow, what a great story! I love mystery/miracles like that.
Have a great weekend!
Posted by Annie | March 12, 2010 12:09 PM
Posted on March 12, 2010 12:09
That IS mysterious -- how do you build a staircase without any nails or support?
And it's also beautiful!
Posted by sandrac | March 12, 2010 3:56 PM
Posted on March 12, 2010 15:56
WOw that is a beautiful piece of construction. Great take on the theme!
Posted by jams O'Donnell | March 12, 2010 5:11 PM
Posted on March 12, 2010 17:11
It is a beautiful and fine staircase! Loved reading about the story on how it got built.
Enjoy the weekend!
Posted by Maria I. | March 12, 2010 8:18 PM
Posted on March 12, 2010 20:18
lovely stairs. i did the same subject but i took the shot from up...lol. must be from this vantage because the spiral is more pronounced this angle.
happy weekend! :)
Posted by ipanema | March 12, 2010 8:47 PM
Posted on March 12, 2010 20:47
When I first saw your picture on yesterday's post I thought you were early for photohunt! Your choice of the Loretto Chapel made me a bit homesick, but huevos rancheros for breakfast took care of that.
Posted by maya | March 12, 2010 9:32 PM
Posted on March 12, 2010 21:32
Great story! Thanks for sharing it -- and the photos too. :)
Posted by YTSL | March 12, 2010 9:50 PM
Posted on March 12, 2010 21:50
Absolutely beautiful Candi and an interesting story as well.
Happy weekend to you.
Posted by jmb | March 12, 2010 11:03 PM
Posted on March 12, 2010 23:03
That's a beautiful spiral staircase and interesting post. Happy weekend.
Posted by Carver | March 12, 2010 11:21 PM
Posted on March 12, 2010 23:21
That is one of my favorite legends/stories, Candi. Thanks for reminding me of it.
Posted by Deborah | March 13, 2010 12:05 AM
Posted on March 13, 2010 00:05
I always like this church... unique structures indeed. :)
Posted by Criz Lai | March 13, 2010 12:39 AM
Posted on March 13, 2010 00:39
That is one grand spiral staircase! And a good story to complement.
Posted by eastcoastlife | March 13, 2010 12:51 AM
Posted on March 13, 2010 00:51
Wow, that is a unique spiral staircase :)
Posted by julie | March 13, 2010 3:32 AM
Posted on March 13, 2010 03:32
What an amazing story! And the staircase is lovely!
My Spiral post is here. I hope you can visit. :)
Posted by Mrs. Mecomber | March 13, 2010 9:45 AM
Posted on March 13, 2010 09:45
That is so amazing! Beautiful pics.
Posted by Susanne | March 13, 2010 10:05 AM
Posted on March 13, 2010 10:05
I want to see that staircase up close someday. All kinds of people tell me about it. Probably because I like spiral staircases.
Posted by Alice Audrey | March 13, 2010 12:24 PM
Posted on March 13, 2010 12:24
The story adds another level of richness to the pictures. I am so glad you shared it with us.
I played, too.
Posted by Lisa | March 13, 2010 2:20 PM
Posted on March 13, 2010 14:20
They just don't make workmen like this any more. What a beautiful story, beautiful staircase. So smooth and elegant.
I have a few spirals up too. http://healingmagichands.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/photohunt-spirals/
Posted by healingmagichands | March 13, 2010 2:31 PM
Posted on March 13, 2010 14:31
Beautiful staircase. Thanks for a great piece of storytelling! I love mysteries...
Posted by Anne | March 13, 2010 6:53 PM
Posted on March 13, 2010 18:53
A great piece of construction with the mystery to go with it. Super post - very education. Santa Fe, a very nice place!
Posted by menehune | March 14, 2010 1:32 PM
Posted on March 14, 2010 13:32
That is an amazing story! Great take on the theme. Very cool spiral staircase.
Posted by girasoli | March 17, 2010 5:57 AM
Posted on March 17, 2010 05:57
This is very cool and in the US no less.
Posted by Marta | March 19, 2010 1:55 PM
Posted on March 19, 2010 13:55