Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Ottawa

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Ottawa (must see)

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is a true Ottawa treasure 鈥� a stunning blend of history, art, and faith right in the city鈥檚 heart. This basilica stands where Ottawa鈥檚 first Catholic chapel once welcomed parishioners back in the early 19th century, making it the oldest surviving church in the capital. Construction began in 1841, but here鈥檚 a fun twist: the original plan was a Neo-classical design, which got a major makeover mid-way when Father Telmon stepped in and switched things up to the now-iconic Neo-Gothic style. So, when you look closely, you鈥檒l spot this unique architectural mashup 鈥� classical at the base and soaring Gothic elegance above.

Step inside, and you鈥檒l be greeted by a riot of color and detail that outshines the church鈥檚 more modest exterior. The stained glass windows flood the space with vibrant light, telling biblical stories in jewel-like hues. You鈥檒l also find countless statues scattered throughout, with the gold-plated Madonna statue flanked by twin spires standing out as a shining star 鈥� literally and figuratively.

Did you know? The basilica has hosted some of Canada鈥檚 most significant moments, including the funerals of Governor General Georges Vanier and Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier, making it a place of deep national importance beyond its spiritual role.

Visitors can explore the basilica freely, and guided tours in English and French are available at no cost, perfect if you want to dig into the stories behind the art and architecture. Don鈥檛 miss the marble pillars, though: they鈥檙e actually wood cleverly painted to look like marble, a neat detail that鈥檚 easy to overlook but adds to the basilica鈥檚 charm.

Tip: Check the tour schedule online before you go to catch a guided tour and learn all the hidden stories and secrets tucked inside this magnificent basilica.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Ottawa. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
Sight Location: Ottawa, Canada (See walking tours in Ottawa)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Ottawa, Canada

Create Your Own Walk in Ottawa

Creating your own self-guided walk in Ottawa is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

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The Maman Statue, a prominent sculpture located outside the National... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
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