There’s No Chapel In The World Like This One Near Denver
Saint Catherine’s Chapel on the Rock in Colorado is a historic and resilient chapel known for its stunning stonework and dramatic setting near Rocky Mountain National Park.
For 80 years, the Chapel on the Rock in Colorado -- located at Camp St. Malo -- has endured against all odds, surviving both fire and flood to remain perched atop its sacred rock just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. With the majestic Mount Meeker as its backdrop, Saint Catherine's Chapel on the Rock in Colorado is renowned for its elaborate stonework and dramatic setting which makes it one of the most unique chapels both in the state and beyond.
In 1916, Monsignor Joseph Bosetti was on a quest to locate the impact site from a falling star, when he happened upon a large rock formation on the outskirts of the Rocky Mountains. Bosetti was immediately reminded of the scripture Matthew 16:18, which reads: "Upon this rock, I'll build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Bosetti was very moved and envisioned a church rising from this magnificent rock. In 1936, his dream became a reality upon the completion of the St. Catherine of Siena Chapel, affectionately known as the Chapel on the Rock, designed by Denver architect Jacques Benedict.
The land on which the chapel stands was generously donated by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Malo to the Archdiocese of Denver and served as a youth camp until the late 1980s. It evolved and expanded to become the St. Malo Religious Retreat and Conference Center in 1987.
Today visitors continue to flock to this spectacular historic chapel in Denver, which seems to grow effortlessly from the bedrock, reaching ever heavenward.
Although the view of the Denver Chapel on the Rock from a distance is remarkably stunning, a closer examination reveals intricate stonework that is awe-inspiring all on its own.
While the exterior is particularly striking, the interior is just as magnificent and contains impressive statues lovingly carved in Bolzano, Italy, at the Giacomo-Mussner studios.
In 1993, Pope St. John Paul II prayed and blessed the Chapel of the Rock on his visit to Colorado for World Youth Day. The Pope hiked along the trails at Camp St. Malo, which was later named the John Paul II Trail in his honor.
Sadly, in 2011 the 60,000-square-foot conference center behind the church was burned to the ground in a devastating fire; however, the Chapel of the Rock remained unscathed. Another disaster struck in 2013 when 100-year rains produced flooding and a five-mile-long landslide that began atop Mount Meeker and ended at the foot of the chapel.
The surrounding landscape including the historic Pope John Paul II Trail was destroyed, but the chapel was once again miraculously spared and continues to stand proud and tall as a beacon beckoning passersby.
The Archdiocese of Denver has plans to restore Camp St. Malo to its former glory, but they could use your help. Please donate to the cause if you feel inclined to help preserve the rich heritage and history of this sacred site.
Visit the fascinating Chapel on the Rock in Denver, Colorado in this video from Shiloh Documentary Films:
Have you ever visited this famous Denver landmark? If so, we'd love to hear all about your experiences in the comments section. For a fun weekend getaway in Allenspark, CO, stay at this cozy cabin on five acres of beautiful land near Mount Meeker.
Sometimes it seems like everywhere you turn here in the Mile High City, you have the opportunity to take in a spectacular view. Whether it's the beautiful Denver skyline or the majestic Rocky Mountains, the panoramas here in Denver do not disappoint. There are, however, a handful of specific spots where the views stand out above the rest. While you might have to take a little trek to get to these viewpoints, the sights you will take in will take your breath away in the best possible way. Read on to learn where you can experience the best views in Denver!
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1. Anschutz Family Sky Terrace at Denver Museum of Nature and Science (2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205)
Make your way up to the 4th floor of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to the 5,000-square-foot open-air terrace that overlooks the Denver skyline with the gorgeous backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.
2. Sloan's Lake (1700 N. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80219)
You can walk, jog, or bike around the approximately 2.5-mile loop around Sloan's Lake (which is also one of the best waterfront trails in the city). Here, you will be treated to not just one, but two outstanding Denver views. Looking east over the water, you can take in the city's skyline, and to the west, you get a spectacular look at the mountains. Another great option is to pack a picnic and find a spot to take it all in.
3. Red Rocks Amphitheatre (18300 W. Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465)
You just couldn’t talk about the best mountain views in Denver without mentioning the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. While this open-air amphitheater with perfect naturally-occurring acoustics is known for being an unbeatable music venue, you won't be disappointed in the panoramic view either. Sitting at over 6,000 feet in elevation, make your way up the approximately 380 steps for a truly remarkable experience.
There's nothing quite like watching a Rockies game while sitting at exactly a "mile high" in that row of purple seats at Coors Field. Taking in a spectacular sunset view is just the icing on the cake.
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5. Ruby Hill Park (1200 W. Florida Ave., Denver, CO 80223)
While Ruby Hill Park may be well-known for its wintertime perks (one of the top sledding hills in the city as well as the terrain park for skiers and snowboarders), it also offers a magnificent view to the northeast year-round. Located just five miles south of downtown Denver, this hill sits at 5,390 feet, but climbing to the top promises a rewarding view.
Make your way to the 27th floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel to Peaks Lounge for a cocktail, dessert, and one of the most well-known panoramic views of Downtown Denver and the surrounding Rocky Mountains (as a matter of fact, it is also one of the best places to get engaged!). Your senses will be on overload as you sit back and take it all in. A Denver city view doesn't get any better than this!
7. Cherry Creek Reservoir (4201 South Parker Rd., Aurora, CO, 80014)
The Cherry Creek Reservoir is a crystal clear 880-surface-acre reservoir situated within Cherry Creek State Park and popular with boaters and anglers, as well as for its beautiful white sand beach. And the views from here are nothing short of spectacular!
8. Inspiration Point Park (4901 Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80212)
It's not called Inspiration Point for nothing. A true urban gem, Inspiration Point Park, found 7 miles northwest of Downtown Denver, provides a stunning vista point for both the city and the front range.
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What are some of your favorite scenic spots around Denver where you like to take in the gorgeous views? Please share in the comments below.
Have you ever been to any of these amazing Denver overlooks? If so, which ones were your favorites? Would you agree that these are among the best views in Denver? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
If you're interested in spending a weekend or longer in Denver, you might consider a stay at the Element Denver Downtown East.
There are over 300 individually landmarked properties and 52 local historic districts in Denver, which have been designated as such in order to encourage the preservation of the buildings and respect for the history of the Mile High City. Thanks to the National Historic Preservation Act, the subsequent Denver Preservation Ordinance, and the work of organizations like the Denver City Council and the Landmark Preservation Committee, we are able to enjoy these amazing historical landmarks in Denver which have been maintained or restored to their former glory for all to see. Here are just a few Denver historical sites that you'll definitely want to see:
Confluence Park marks not only the junction of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek, but also the spot where the city of Denver began in 1858 when Green Russell and his prospectors began their search for gold.
Larimer Square is Denver's oldest and most historic block. In fact, it was the city's first officially-designated local historic district! Its namesake, General Larimer, founded Denver City on November 22, 1858, and Larimer Street became the city's main street in 1861.
Since its establishment in 1881, Union Station has been the central transportation hub and railway station for the Mile High City. It underwent a major renovation that was completed in 2014 and now houses fabulous shops, restaurants, and a luxury hotel.
Just a stone's throw from Union Station is the Oxford Hotel, the oldest and most historic hotel in Denver. It opened its doors in 1891 and has welcomed and wowed guests ever since.
The first official game at Coors Field was April 26, 1995, when the Rockies defeated the Mets 11-9. (Fun fact: Per the official Coors Field website, "In 1999, Coors Field firmly founded itself as the most prolific offensive ballpark ever created. The Rockies and their opponents combined for 303 home runs, the most ever in a season at one venue, with one or more tenants.")
DPAC sits on 12 acres, contains 10 performance spaces, and is the second largest performing arts center in the United States. Its sculpture park is home to Jonathan Borofsky's The Dancers, a head-turning piece of art that stands proud at 60 feet tall.
This mile-long pedestrian mall runs from LoDo's Union Station to the Civic Center Station Downtown and has remained a center for businesses and tourist attractions since its opening in 1982.
One of the most distinctive landmarks in Denver is the Daniel & Fischer Tower, which was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River when it was built in 1910. It stands at 325 feet, has a four-sided 20-floor clock tower, and has a 2.5-ton bell above its observation deck.
Established in 1892, the Brown Palace is the second-oldest operating hotel in Denver and has lodged many important guests, including Elvis who declared it to be, "The best hotel in the world!" Modern-day guests can enjoy the incredible architecture of this historic building and its soaring views, all while getting pampered at the spa.
The Colorado Convention Center opened its doors in 1990, with its first event being the NBA Draft for the Denver Nuggets. Today it hosts more than 250 events annually and is home to another of the Mile High's most notable landmarks, the 40-foot-tall big blue bear (a.k.a "I See What You Mean").
This picturesque urban park opened in 1919 and continues to serve as the nucleus for Denver's government, arts, and culture. Civic Center Park is surrounded by many of the city's most prominent institutions.
The Capitol is one of the most eye-catching features of the Civic Center and has been in operation since 1894. The infamous gold leaf was mined in Colorado and added to the dome in 1908 to honor the Colorado Gold Rush. The interior contains White Yule Marble from Colorado quarries and what is believed to be the entire supply of Colorado Rose Onyx. (Fun fact: The 13th step leading to the west entrance is exactly one mile high.)
The final cornerstone of Denver's City and County Building was laid in 1982 after eight years of construction and is seen as the culmination of "a 30-year process to define the
Civic Center as the heart of city government and its cultural center." You might also know it as the Denver City Council Building. Tours are offered to take in the stunning architecture.
Denver built its first Central Library in 1910, and due to the city's continual rapid expansion, it has outgrown many facilities since then. The current Central Library opened in 1995, was designed by famed architect Michael Graves, and is a massive 540,000 square feet.
Founded in 1893 as the Denver Artist's Club, DAM had many temporary homes before opening its own gallery in 1949 and has continued to expand to include three architecturally stunning buildings totaling over 350,000 square-feet. There are 10 permanent collections on display with over 70,000 works of art.
The United States government established a mint facility in Denver in 1863, which served as an assay office where miners could bring gold dust and nuggets to be melted and cast into bars. Business boomed and the grand new facility that is now the Denver Mint was built in 1906. In its first year of operation, the Mint produced 167,371,035 gold and silver coins (valued at $27 million), and the current output today can exceed 50 million coins daily.
This 11,000-square-foot museum dedicated to the history of firefighting in Denver opened in 1980 and is located in historic Station One, built in 1909 and home of Engine Co. No. 1. Today the museum is regarded as one of the top three fire house museums in the nation.
Designed by renowned Denver architect William Lang and built in the 1880s, this house was once home to Titanic survivor "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." Today the building serves as a museum commemorating her life, as well as architectural preservation and the Victorian era of Denver.
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science was essentially conceived in 1868 when naturalist Edwin Carter began accumulating specimens of Colorado fauna and putting them on display in his log cabin. Word of Carter's collection got out and in 1900 The Colorado Museum of Natural History (now Denver Museum of Nature & Science) was founded. It gained a permanent home in City Park in 1908 and has continued to expand over the years to what is now a 716,000-square-foot complex with over 1,000,000 objects and artifacts.
The Buckhorn Exchange is Denver's original steakhouse and oldest restaurant and has been serving Old West fare since 1893 (as well as a few... unique big game menu items, like ostrich and yak). The building is overflowing with historical artifacts, including a 125-piece gun collection and a 575-piece collection of taxidermy. (You've got to see it to believe it!)
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is "the only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheatre in the world." The first documented performance took place in 1906, and it's been rocking ever since.
Want to know more about the history of Denver and the state of Colorado? Visit the History Colorado Center which opened in the Golden Triangle in 2012 and has been described as "the first great history museum of the twenty-first century."
Did we leave out any of your favorite historical landmarks in Denver? We'd love to hear about them in the comments below!
