Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral - (Near Montréal, QC)

5 /5 Stephan Obarewicz: A tribute to Mary, the Queen of all queens. For the mother of a man that changed the course of history, and still is, nothing is ever too small. Even though the cathedral is a replica of the Vatican at a 50th of the size, it does not loose any prestige, and its grandeur is quite suited to celebrate the Saint Mother. Set in the busy downtown area of Montreal between the financial and fashion districts, the cathedral could serve as a reminder that not only the material is important in life. The “pièce de résistance” inside the cathedral is composed of the four pillars of Solomon’s temple (the baldaquin) under which the altar lays. The original version having been built above Saint Peter’s resting place in Rome, the replica here may serve as a symbol of unity between the founder of Christianity and the Mother of its first prophet. The interior of the cathedral is a haven of tranquility, in contrast to the buzzing area it settled at and the flocks of nervous tourists coming around for a stop on their agenda. Built under the guidance of Monseigneur Bourget, Bishop of Montreal in the late 1800’s, his fierce admiration for the Vatican and the then Pope Pius IX, won Bourget the praise of the Pope for a new cathedral to replace the one lost during a fire. Bourget sent secretly one of his followers to measure the Basilica of St-Peter’s of Rome, so to replicate and bring home the subject of his awe. The result is quite respectable, masses are frequent, supported by soloists, and relevant for nowadays believers, joining yesteryear’s philosophy with current challenges in society. – May peace be conferred upon you all.

4 /5 Celeste Ruppelt: Mary Queen of the World Cathedral Basilica is the cathedral of Montreal and the seat of its archdiocese. Designated a national historic site in 2000, it was built between 1870 and 1894 as a reduced-scale replica of St. Peters Basilica in Rome. It is the third largest church in Quebec. The building is 333 feet long, 150 feet wide, with a height of 252 feet, at the cupola. The cupola is 75 feet in diameter. On the top of the exterior are statues of the patron saints of 13 parishes of Montreal, which are imitations of the statues of the 12 apostles on the façade of St. Peters, in Rome. I first noticed these similarities while looking at the altar. The Altar is completely handmade with red copper and gold-leaf. It is in place under the dome and the ciborium, covering it and supported by twisted columns, was created in 1900 in Rome as a reproduction of the baldacchino in St. Peters Basilica. I enjoyed the elaborate architecture and construction of the cathedrals in Montreal. I also noted people at prayer inside. Quietness and respect for this place is a must.

4 /5 Yen Yen: This is the Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral (Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde), located in downtown Montreal, Canada. The cathedral is most famous for being a scaled-down replica of St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican. Baldacchino: The ornate golden column structure at the center of the image is a replica of the famous baldachin designed by Bernini in St. Peters Basilica in Rome. This Neo-Baroque replica was handcrafted in Rome in 1900, using copper and gold leaf. Domes and Vaults: The interior of the cathedral features a spectacular green copper dome (approximately 23 meters in diameter) and square fluted vaults adorned with gold decorations. Historical Background: The cathedral was built between 1870 and 1894, commissioned by Ignace Bourget, the second Bishop of Montreal.

5 /5 Rachel Grenier: This is one of the most unique basilicas Ive ever visited. The colour palette is unlike any Ive ever experienced. It is beautiful and ornately decorated.

5 /5 Glory Gautam: Absolutely stunning church with breathtaking architecture. The detailing, artwork, and overall grandeur are truly impressive. The peaceful atmosphere makes it a beautiful place to visit and reflect. I loved it so much—definitely one of the most beautiful architectural landmarks in Montreal. A must-visit. We went on a weekday and person at the entrance was really helpful and with full of positivity.