Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec, Quebec City, Canada

The Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec is the oldest church in the Americas north of the Spanish colonies in Florida and New Mexico. It is a National Historic Site of Canada, and located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Historic District of Old Québec.

Located on this site since 1647, the cathedral has twice been destroyed by fire throughout the centuries. A previous iteration of the church was destroyed during the Siege of Quebec in 1759. It was rebuilt from plans by Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry draughted in 1743. The interior was designed by Jean Baillairgé and his son François from 1786–1822. In 1843, François' son, Thomas, suggested a reconstruction of the façade to resemble the church of Sainte-Geneviève in Paris, resulting in the finest Neo-classic façade in Québec. The cathedral was richly decorated with impressive works of art: baldaquin, canopy, episcopal throne dais, stained glass windows, paintings, and chancel lamp (a gift of Louis XIV).

In 1922 the church was again gutted by fire, this time by the Canadian fraction of the Ku Klux Klan, and restored by architects Maxime Roisin and Raoul Chenevert.Raoul Chenevert added a presbytery beside the Cathedral in 1931-32.

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User Reviews

Tony Bernard (6 months ago)
Wow! Was able to visit while the Holy Door was there! This place is as wonderful as St Anne, but in a different way!

Jack P (7 months ago)
It's free to enter so no complaints there. We visited around 9am on a Friday morning. Enjoyed the 12 minute film about Francois de Laval. Smaller than the basilica in Montreal but just as ornate

M G (7 months ago)
Indeed a beautiful Holy place. It is a must visit. The only Catholic church in North America to have the Holy Door and it is open only this year 2024.

Niroshan Udith Bandara (7 months ago)
Wow... This is beautiful. This church was built in 1647 and its architecture and artwork are beautiful and mind blowing. The carvings, and stained windows are so detailed, and beautiful. Entrance is fee.

Dipanshu Garg (8 months ago)
Let me start by saying WOWWWW! Hands down the best church I have ever been to. Just gaze and ponder over the marvel, the beauty of this amazing ornate cathedral. Very peaceful and serene ambience both inside and out. This church built in 1660s is an epitome of the architecture and religious artwork. The carvings, paintings and stained windows are so picturesque and speak for themselves about the history of the church. No entry fee. If you get a chance then do sit for the prayer. It's very meditative. Amidst its grandeur, you can find a peaceful haven for introspection and connection by sitting through the prayer.

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The stone church of Gamla Uppsala, built over the pagan temple, dates from the early 12th century. Due to fire and renovations, the present church is only a remnant of the original cathedral.

Before the arrival of Christianity in Sweden, Gamla Uppsala was the seat of Swedish kings and a ceremonial site known all over northern Europe. The settlement was home to royal palaces, a royal burial ground, and a great pagan temple. The Uppsala temple, which was described in detail by Adam of Bremen in the 1070s, housed wooden statues of the Norse gods Odin, Thor and Freyr. A golden chain hung across its gables and the inside was richly decorated with gold. The temple had priests, who sacrificed to the gods according to the needs of the people.

The first Christian cathedral was probably built in the 11th century, but finished in the 12th century. The stone building may have been preceded by a wooden church and probably by the large pagan temple.

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