Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal

The majestic basilica, located almost in the center of Montréal, is a historical monument that tells how the city developed.

The basilica was built in 1672. At that time, the authorities of the developing Montréal almost did not allocate money for temples. All funds received by the city were used for other purposes. However, the church was necessary as the community grew and needed its premises. Therefore, a voluntary fund-raising for the construction of the church was announced. As a result, the community raised the necessary amount of money to build a small chapel. It was to become the religious and cultural center of the city.

The new church became the center of attraction for believers not only from Montréal but also from other neighboring cities just a few years later. Then a need to build a more spacious church appeared. It should have been more beautiful and monumental. Unfortunately, the community did not have funds for such an ambitious goal. So citizens came to the small chapel and quietly collected funds for a new church for more than a century.

In 1824-1872, the old church had almost completely collapsed. Then the architect from New York, James O'Donnell, built a new monumental structure on this site. This is what we can see today.

The interior decoration of the temple was designed by John Redpath. The main construction and finishing works were completed in 1879. They lasted so long for a reason: the interior of the temple admires. There are paintings and frescoes, wood and stone carvings, gilding, lighting. Also, there is an incredibly beautiful pulpit with a twisted staircase decorated with carved figures. And the large windows of the church were decorated with stained glass, ordered from the workshop of the French Limoges.

The basilica was open to parishioners only 9 years later, in 1888.

Today, the basilica is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Montréal. It is often chosen for celebrations by famous people. For example, the singer Celine Dion and her husband were married there.