Notre-Dame Basilica Montreal — Part 1

Notre-Dame Basilica Montreal

As impressive as the exterior is, this twin-towered façade dating back to 1829 does nothing to prepare you for the sights awaiting inside the Notre-Dame Basilica in Old Montreal.  Once you step inside you are greeted by a stunning yet calming sea of blue that stretches from floor to wondrous vaulted ceiling.

Facing the altar and ambulatory

As magnificent as are the great churches of Europe, Montreal’s Notre-Dame rates right along with them.  Over the course of this week we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the beauty of this incredible structure, culminating in some of my favorite shots of it during this week’s Fun Photo Friday.

View of the pulpit

Not only will we look at the whole, we’ll also concentrate on the subtle details that make Notre-Dame Basilica one of the world’s truly outstanding examples of church architecture, such as this statuary of Saint Mark, Saint John, and Saint Peter:

Saint Mark, Saint John, and Saint Peter

As well as the stunning stained glass commissioned in 1929, designed by Quebec’s own Jean-Baptiste Lagacé, and assembled in Limoges, France, by Francis Chigot:

Stained glass designed by Quebec artist Jean-Baptiste Lagacé

The Great Casavant Organ boasts 7,000 pipes ranging in length from ¼-inch to almost 33 feet (six millimeters to ten meters).

Organ pipes nearly 33 feet long

We’ll continue our tour on Wednesday.  Until this, click on any of the images below to bring up today’s slide show:

Pews beneath vaulted blue

Another view of Saints Mark, John, and Peter

Magnificently decorated ambulatory

Notre-Dame Basilica Montreal

Looking back toward the organ

Above the pulpit

Notre-Dame Basilica Montreal

Side aisle