Our visit to the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington, D.C. was totally unplanned and unexpected. We were on our way to New York City but missed our connecting flight. As the next connection wasn’t until next morning, we decided to spend the night with friends in D.C. and continue on our way the next day.
What to Expect at the Basilica of the National Shrine
Magnificent, grandiose and overwhelmingly beautiful! These were my first thoughts as I entered the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Indeed, the elegance of this church that transcends the realm of religion left me completely mesmerized. I am not a fan of contemporary church architecture, but this is the most astonishing modern church I have ever visited.
Construction of the shrine began in 1920 under Philadelphia contractor John McShain. The church opened unfinished in 1959 and the ornamentation of the interior has continued since. The Basilica of the National Shrine is a great example of Neo-Byzantine architecture, most frequently seen in religious buildings and characterized by the use of brick and plaster, with mosaics replacing the carved ornaments. Over 1 million pilgrims visit the Basilica of the National Shrine each year.
This is a truly a unique structure. At 237 ft. tall, it is the largest Catholic basilica in the United States. It’s adjacent bell tower reaches 329 ft. into the sky. To give you an idea about the hight of this church: the Tower of Pisa could fit inside the main dome (even if it wasn’t leaning). Also, two Statues of Liberty, one atop the other, could fit into the Basilica’s bell tower. Quite impressive, don’t you think?
Inside the Basilica of the National Shrine
The first thing that attracted me to the National Shrine was the towering interior space of the nave. It is massive. So massive, that it can’t be captured in a landscape photo, even with a wide angle.
The main church is surrounded by 70 small chapels honoring the Virgin Mary. Each chapel has a different color palette and a different character representing many countries’ vision of Mary – from China, to Mexico, to European countries, etc. Below the main church is the Crypt Church, a much smaller and dimly lit sanctuary, almost dark, with rows of pews.
The Basilica of the National Shrine is located just a short distance from The Capitol Building. It is easily accessible by Metro’s Red Line, getting off at the Brookland-CUA station, then walking about 10 minutes towards the Catholic University. The Basilica is open every day and should be one of the highlights of any trip to Washington D.C. It looks gorgeous at any time, whether the skies are clear and blue, or gray and overcast.
Both photography and video-recording are permitted for private, non-commercial use, but you need to be respectful and reduce the noise to the minimum. Tripods and free-standing lights are not allowed.
We did a self guided tour of the shrine, but getting a guided one is most likely better.
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Isabella
I really love old churches, but some of the “new ones” are also very nice. What I don’t like, especially when I’m visiting western European countries, is that many churches were recently turned into museums, with tickets being sold at the entrance. I want to say that hey, something went really wrong! People built these places hundred years ago, put incredible effort to erect these beautiful buildings with the technology available at their times; they did it all to enable them and their children to pray, meditate, listen, sing, stay in silence, cry, talk with God in this sacred place, not for someone to make a museum there and sell tickets. Even in Italy there are now places where you cannot enter to pray without buying a ticket (there is for example only one mass on Sunday and that’s all).
I feel it’s just… not as it should be at all.
BTW you inspired me to write my new post 🙂
Anda Galffy
I so agree with you, Isabella! I wonder what the locals who come to pray do. Do they pay too?
Isabella
Hmm, that’s interesting. But on the other hand if there would have been a strong parish, they wouldn’t let anyone to turn it into a museum, so probably they are using some other, smaller, provincial churches. And that’s sad.
Anda Galffy
The National Shrine is actually a functioning church, Isabella, but it attracts a lot of visitors as well.
Sarah Ebner
What a fantastic building – quite magnificent. We are going to DC later this year, so will add this to our list.
Marisol@TravelingSolemates
Hi Anda, I passed by this basilica many years ago, too swift to appreciate its grandeur. I didn’t realized it’s the largest Catholic basilica in the US and that interior is that massive. I like the comparables you mentioned to give us an idea of its enormity. Wow, 70 chapels for the Virgin Mary? No wonder someone I know who’s a VM devotee makes a regular pilgrimage here. Lovely shots as usual, Anda.
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Marisol. I hope you will get to visit the Basilica someday. It’s magnificent
Mary {The World Is A Book}
I was just in DC last weekend but didn’t make it here. We went to the National Cathedral instead. This looks absolutely stunning! We’ll have to visit next time.
Anda Galffy
I hope you will get to see the National Shrine, Mary. It’s very beautiful.
RamblinLove
We just recently went to DC and didn’t visit the Basilica but I remember going as a kid and it was beautiful!
Suze the Luxury Columnist
It’s very impressive for a modern church, the nave is beautiful
Lyn@thetravellinglindfields
Hi Anda, One day you will write about somewhere I haven’t been – but not today. The Basilica is magnificent. We were there with our boys quite a few years ago and were overwhelmed by its beauty.