Cathédrale-Basilique Marie-Reine-du-Monde, Montreal
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
Hours Mon-Fri 7am-7:30pm; Sat 7:30am-8:30pm; Sun 8:30am-7:30pm Address Bd. René-Lévesque Location At rue Mansfield Transportation Métro: Bonaventure Phone 514/866-1661 Prices Free admission; donations accepted.
Sources
- Herbert Bailey Livesey, Frommer's Montreal and Quebec City 2006
