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Loretto ChapelvsSan Miguel Chapel
Both Loretto Chapel and San Miguel Chapel are endorsed by professional reviewers writing for major publications. Overall, San Miguel Chapel is preferred by most reviewers compared to Loretto Chapel. San Miguel Chapel comes in at 90 with approval from 6 sources like Frommer's, Michelin Guide and Lonely Planet.
Loretto Chapel
Fodor's
Lonely Planet
Afar Magazine
Travel + Leisure
Atlas Obscura
Michelin Guide Travel + Leisure
Independent
Frommer's
207 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501
From $0/night
Fodor's "A delicate Gothic church modeled after Sainte-Chapelle in Paris... the chapel is known for the "Miraculous Staircase"." Full review
Lonely Planet "Famous as the site of St Joseph's Miraculous Staircase, a spiraling and apparently unsupported wooden staircase." Full review
Afar Magazine "The physics of the structure can be explained by architects today, but that doesn't stop about a quarter-million visitors every year from marveling at the elegant spruce spiral." Full review
Travel + Leisure "A popular wedding site, diminutive Loretto Chapel in downtown Santa Fe is world-famous for its circular wooden staircase." Full review
Atlas Obscura "Wedding chapel's mysterious spiral staircase said to be miraculously constructed. " Full review
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"Leading to the choir loft, this staircase makes two complete 360-degree turns with no nails or other visible support." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Loretto Chapel is a beautiful old church, but most people visit to see the "miraculous" staircase"
Independent "Visit the Gothic-style Loretto Chapel to see the “Miraculous Staircase”, a tightly spun spiral staircase with a mythical origin story"
Frommer's "Today the deconsecrated chapel is run as a private museum with a small gift shop." Full review
San Miguel Chapel Frommer's Fodor's Lonely Planet Travel + Leisure Michelin Guide Michelin Guide Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
401 Old Santa Fe Trail, Lower Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM
From $0/night
Frommer's "If you really want to get the feel of colonial Catholicism, visit this church. Better yet, attend Mass here. You won't be disappointed." Full review
Fodor's "This simple earth-hue adobe structure was built in the 1610s by the Tlaxcalan Indians of Mexico, who came to New Mexico as servants of the Spanish." Full review
Lonely Planet "Holes in the floor reveal the foundations of an ancient pueblo beneath, while the high viga beams and devotional artwork inside are well worth a peek." Full review
Travel + Leisure "This, the nation's oldest church, has been in use since the early 17th century." Full review
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"Established in 1610, this old church was rebuilt a century later and has since been oft-remodeled." Full review
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"The mission was founded at the same time as the town in 1610, but partly destroyed during the Pueblo Revolt." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Although very little of the original structure is still present, the San Miguel Chapel just south of downtown Santa Fe is thought to be the oldest church in the U"
Travel + Leisure "Located along the Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe’s Barrio de Analco Historic District, this Spanish colonial mission church is considered the oldest in the United States"
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