The Loretto Chapel staircase rising in two full turns to the choir loft

Loretto Chapel Staircase Pictures: 17 Free-to-Use Photos

ByLoretto Volunteers Editorial Team
  • Free-licence photos
  • Credited
  • Updated Nov 2026

Short answer: below are 17 photographs of the Loretto Chapel staircase and chapel in Santa Fe, each free to reuse under the licence shown. The best views of the structure are the ones looking up into the helix, where you can see there is no central pole, and the close-ups of the curved stringers.

The staircase

The Loretto Chapel staircase rising in two full turns to the choir loft
The full staircase from the chapel floor, rising in two turns to the choir loft. BRad06, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Loretto Chapel staircase in Santa Fe, a two-turn wooden spiral to the choir loft with no center pole
The helix and the loft railing, with stained glass behind. karol m, CC BY 2.0
The Loretto Chapel staircase in black and white, showing its two turns
Black and white view showing the two full 360° turns. Christopher Michel, CC BY 2.0

Structure and details

Underside of the Loretto Chapel staircase showing the tightly curved inner stringer of the helix
Looking up into the helix: there is no central pole. MARELBU, CC BY 3.0
The helix of the Loretto staircase seen from below, with no central pole
The underside of the curve, where the stringers carry the load. inkknife_2000, CC BY-SA 2.0
Close view of the spruce stringer and treads of the Loretto Chapel staircase
Close view of the spruce stringer and treads. inkknife_2000, CC BY-SA 2.0
The spruce helix of the Loretto Chapel staircase
The wooden helix and its later iron railing. Richard A. Weaver, CC BY-SA 4.0
Upper run of the Loretto staircase beside a choir-loft column in Loretto Chapel
The upper run beside a choir-loft column, where the 1887 iron bracket ties in. Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 3.0
Scale model of the Loretto Chapel spiral staircase showing its two-turn helix
A scale model of the staircase. Marshall Astor, CC BY-SA 2.0

The chapel

The Gothic Revival interior of the Loretto Chapel
The Gothic Revival interior of the chapel. Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 3.0
The altar of the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe
The altar of the Loretto Chapel. MARELBU, CC BY 3.0
The Gothic Revival facade of the Loretto Chapel on Old Santa Fe Trail
The chapel facade on Old Santa Fe Trail. MARELBU, CC BY 3.0
The Loretto Chapel exterior in Santa Fe
The chapel exterior. Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 3.0
The front of the Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe
The front of the chapel from the street. inkknife_2000, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Loretto Chapel seen from Old Santa Fe Trail
The chapel from Old Santa Fe Trail. MARELBU, CC BY 3.0
The Loretto Chapel sign on Old Santa Fe Trail with a carved wooden figure
The chapel sign beside a carved wooden figure. inkknife_2000, CC BY-SA 2.0

Historic image

Historic print of the Loretto Academy, chapel and convent at Santa Fe
The Loretto Academy, chapel and convent in a 1904 handbook of New Mexico. New Mexico Bureau of Immigration, 1904, public domain

What to look for in the photos

  • The missing centre: views looking up the helix show open space where a newel post would normally be.
  • The inner stringer: the tight inner curve, about a foot in radius, does much of a post’s work (how it works).
  • The railing: the iron railing was added in 1887, not built with the stair.
  • The bracket: near the top, an iron bracket ties the stair to a column (the bracket).

Taking your own photos

Check with chapel staff about current photography rules. The stair is roped off, so the best angles are from the base looking up, and from the side to show both turns. The chapel can close without notice for weddings; check hours and tickets before you go.

All photos are from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown; each credit links to the original file and its licence terms.

Quick answers

Where can I see pictures of the Loretto Chapel staircase?

This page collects 17 free-licence photos of the staircase and chapel, each credited and linked to its original on Wikimedia Commons.

Can I reuse these Loretto staircase photos?

Yes, under the Creative Commons licence shown for each, with credit to the photographer; the 1904 image is public domain.

Can you take photos inside the Loretto Chapel?

The staircase is seen from the chapel floor and is roped off; ask staff about current photography rules.

Why does the Loretto staircase look like it has no support?

Because there is no central pole. The two curved stringers and the tight inner curve carry the load to the floor and the loft.

Keep exploring

Researched & fact-checked by the Loretto Volunteers Editorial Team

Loretto Volunteers is an independent research project documenting the history, architecture, and enduring mystery of the Loretto Chapel staircase. We work from primary and archival sources and show our evidence. Last reviewed: June 2026.

→ How we research & fact-check · About us

Similar Posts