Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Saint Louis (must see)

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is a remarkable landmark of Saint Louis. This impressive cathedral is located in the Central West End neighborhood and serves as the mother church of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. It is also the seat of its archbishop, currently Mitchell T. Rozanski. The cathedral was constructed in 1914 and was named after Saint Louis. In 1997, it was designated a basilica by Pope John Paul II.

The construction of the cathedral began on May 1, 1907, when workers started clearing the ground for the building. It replaced the previous Saint Louis Cathedral, which is now the Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, situated along the Mississippi River. Although the superstructure was complete by 1914, the dedication of the cathedral and its first Mass did not take place until October 18, 1914. The church was consecrated more than a decade later on June 29, 1926.

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is famous for its large mosaic installation, which is one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The installation is made up of over 41 million pieces of glass in more than 7,000 colors, depicting various religious themes and events. The work was completed by more than 20 different artists, who contributed to the design and execution of the mosaics.

Another notable feature of the cathedral is its burial crypts, which are located beneath the main altar. The crypts are the final resting place for several archbishops of Saint Louis, as well as other prominent members of the Catholic Church. Visitors to the cathedral can explore the crypts and pay their respects to those who are interred there.

Why You Should Visit:
One of the must-see Cathedrals in America, and definitely one of Saint Louis' highlights. The tile mosaic works on the ceilings and walls are amazing all by themselves. The acoustics are incredible, so if you're able to attend a concert or musical performance of some kind, you're in for a treat. Small but packed gift shop probably has a memento you'd like or a gift for someone you care about.

Tip:
Don't miss out on the lower-level museum which shows how the mosaics were made, from drawing to installation. Also enjoy the grounds and sculptures there.