Did St. Joseph Build It? The Mystery of the Loretto Chapel Staircase The Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is famous for its 'Miraculous Staircase,' a 33-step spiral staircase with two complete turns and no visible support. According to legend, the Sisters of Loretto prayed to St. Joseph for a way to access the choir loft, and a mysterious carpenter arrived, built the staircase, and vanished without payment. The staircase is made entirely of wood without nails or fasteners, and the type of wood used does not match the rest of the chapel. Its construction continues to puzzle engineers and architects, as it appears to defy structural logic. Video: Kate Howard