No one who has seen both will confuse Montréal's "Mary Queen of the World" Cathedral with St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, but a scaled-down homage was the intention of Bishop Ignace Bourget, who oversaw its construction after the first Catholic cathedral burned to the ground in 1852.

Construction lasted from 1875 to 1894, its start delayed by the Bishop's desire to place it not in Francophone east Montréal but in the heart of the Protestant Anglophone west.

The resulting structure covers less than a quarter of the area of its Roman inspiration. Most impressive is the 76m (252-ft.) high dome, about a third of the size of the original. The statues standing on the roofline represent patron saints of the region, providing a local touch.

The interior is less rewarding visually than the exterior, but the high altar is worth the visit.

Quick Facts on Cathedral of the Queen of the World

Site Information
Names:	Cathedral of the Queen of the World · Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde
Country:	Canada
Categories:	cathedrals
Faiths:	Catholicism
Dedication:	Virgin Mary (Queen of the World)
Dates:	1875-94
Status:	active
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:	45.499256° N, 73.568208° W
Address:	Montreal, Canada
Lodging:	View hotels near Cathedral of the Queen of the World

Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

References

1. Herbert Bailey Livesey, Frommer's Montreal and Quebec City 2006

More Information

• Photos of Cathedral of the Queen of the World - here on Sacred Destinations