The Cathedral of the Monastery of Our Lady of Montreal - a city pearl, known throughout the world

The oldest city of Montreal (Canada), recognized by UNESCO as the capital of culture and design, is of particular interest to tourists. Here come for bright, unforgettable impressions from viewing modern architectural monuments and carefully guarded by the authorities of cultural and historical objects.

History of the majestic cathedral

One of the most beautiful sights of North America is the Cathedral of the Monastery of Our Lady of Montreal, located in the center of the historic part of the city. A grandiose structure in the neo-Gothic architectural style strikes everyone with its grandeur.

At the end of the XVII century, the city Catholic community raised funds for the construction of a small consecrated church, named after the Mother of God. For many years she accepted all believers, because at that time she was the only one in the city.

Gradually Montreal (Canada) grew, and the parishioners with great difficulty fit in a small building. In 1824, the city authorities decided to build a new spacious building in the place of a close old one, so that everyone could fit and listen to the daily mass.

50 years for construction and finishing

Surprisingly, the cathedral of the Cathedral of the Notre-Dame de Montréal was built by an Irish Protestant. He fell so deeply in love with his own creation that at the end of his life he changed his faith so that he could be buried in a crypt inside the majestic cathedral.

Not a single decade passed, until in 1872 the world-famous church appeared on the site of a small and inconspicuous temple. However, for another 16 years local craftsmen worked on interior and exterior decoration. And finally the basilica was opened for believers in 1888.

City Pearl

Many consider it a kind of copy of the Notre Dame Cathedral, but the church is much inferior to the original in size. Despite this, the temple can accommodate up to nine thousand people.

Listed on the list of national treasures of Canada, the local people regard the basilica as a real pearl, glorifying your beloved city far beyond its borders.

Original ideas

There is not a single person who does not admire the 70-meter belfries and the striking beauty of the temple. The original architectural solutions of the cathedral surprise even a lot of tourists who have seen it.

The most unusual is that the building of the temple is decorated with three sculptures, each of which symbolizes itself Montreal, the province of Quebec and the country of Canada. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to talk about an absolutely exact copy of the same-named French cathedral. Architects consider the unusual ideas of the Canadian religious monument as an addition to the image of the Paris masterpiece, which is world famous for Hugo's novel.

The Cathedral of the Monastery of Our Lady of Montreal is famous throughout the world for two identical turrets, emphasizing the neo-Gothic style. Bearing the names "Perseverance" and "Restraint", they are elements of medieval architecture.

Luxury furniture

And if outside the cathedral looks rather gloomy, then inside it just amazes with luxury and makes everyone think about the eternal.

If we talk about the sights of the temple itself, it is impossible not to mention the giant bell brought from Britain, called "Saint Jean Baptiste" and located in one of the towers. Every Sunday he gathers for the mass of the parishioners a ringing, audible at a distance of 25 kilometers.

The cathedral of the Montreal Notre-Dame (Canada) surprises and unusually blue color of its arches with sparkling golden stars on it.

The altar is carved from expensive wood sculptures, depicting prophets. During prayers, parishioners light thousands of candles creating a unique atmosphere of appeasement and special grace.

In 1992, the fire that raged in the cathedral destroyed a small chapel and part of the main wooden altar, which, after the restoration, was cast in bronze.

Original stained glass windows

And all the tourists admire the windows that decorate the windows with unique stained glass windows, specially ordered for the cathedral in Limoges. French craftsmen created an original mosaic, depicting individual episodes of urban life in Montreal.

And these pictures are cardinally different from the traditional biblical scenes of Holy Scripture. The entire interior of the basilica is well lit so that no detail escapes the view of the parishioners.

Presentations and ceremonies in the temple

And the glory of the cathedral organ, made by a famous Canadian firm, sounds outside the city. In the walls of the temple, known for good acoustics, concerts take place, where a symphony orchestra plays and the church choir sings. And for the holidays, unusual musical and light performances are arranged, for the sake of which people from other cities of Canada come here.

Constantly open cathedral of the Montreal Mother of God during the services and various ceremonies of visitors does not accept.

In the national monument of the city are the rituals of weddings, and many years ago it was here that the most popular Canadian singer Celine Dion legalized her marriage union before the god . Here, too, funerals of famous figures of the country are held.

Heart of Quebec

The oldest city of Montreal, whose attractions are known all over the world, annually hosts thousands of tourists. The heart of the province of Quebec, combining modern skyscrapers and buildings with centuries of history, compare with Paris and St. Petersburg.

A fascinating trip to Montreal will be a memorable event for all lovers in history.