Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral

If you need to find peace in Montreal, go to this place and just sit inside. this place is architectural Marvel. It’s very beautiful. There is no fee or ticket like notre dame cathedral, and yet same peace and grandiose. You can even walk to Dorchester Square from here or Saint Catherine Street overall this is a great area to hang out.

For a peaceful retreat in Montreal, this stunning architectural marvel is a must-visit. Its beauty is unmatched, and the best part? Admission is free! Unlike Notre Dame Cathedral, you can enjoy the same sense of serenity and grandeur without the cost. Plus, its convenient location allows for easy walks to Dorchester Square or Saint Catherine Street, making it an ideal spot to unwind and explore.

10/10 – Stunning and Peaceful A breathtaking cathedral in the heart of Montreal. The architecture is magnificent, inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, with beautiful artwork and a serene atmosphere. A must-visit for anyone interested in history, art, or quiet reflection.

This is my favourite church in Montreal. There is no entrance fee to visit and it feels very peaceful. The building is a replica of St. Peter's in Rome and is very beautiful.

Historical landmark in Montreal. Duplicate of renowned Saint Peter’s Church in Rome, actually 1/4 of the size. Great place to worship and find peace for sure. Definitely worth the visit!

Very beautiful architecture and quite grand. Way quieter than Notre Dame and it's free to enter. We got lucky and had a hotel room facing the back andT was neat seeing the dome from outside as well.

Definitely worth seeing if you are into old churches. Their website gives you a little history which i enjoyed reading. Ive been to Rome and this rivals a lot of the cathedrals there. Just remember to be super respectful as it is an active place of worship.

Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral (Basilique-Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde) stands as a monumental testament to Montreal's religious heritage and architectural ambition. 🏛️ Historical Significance Commissioned by Bishop Ignace Bourget in the aftermath of the 1852 fire that destroyed Saint-Jacques Cathedral, the new cathedral was envisioned as a symbol of Catholic resilience and influence. Bourget, a proponent of ultramontanism—a movement emphasizing papal authority—sought to assert the Church's presence in a predominantly Protestant area of the city. To achieve this, he commissioned a scaled-down replica of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, reflecting his deep commitment to the papacy . Construction began in 1875, and the cathedral was consecrated in 1894 as Saint James Cathedral. In 1919, Pope Benedict XV elevated it to the status of a minor basilica. Later, in 1955, Pope Pius XII rededicated it as Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, following his proclamation of this Marian title in the 1954 encyclical Ad caeli reginam . 🏗️ Architectural Highlights Design Inspiration: The cathedral is a quarter-scale replica of St. Peter's Basilica, showcasing Baroque Revival architecture. Its Latin cross layout spans approximately 4,700 square meters, crowned by a 77-meter-high dome . Interior Features: A notable feature is the neo-baroque baldachin over the main altar, modeled after Bernini's design in St. Peter's. Crafted in Rome in 1900 by Joseph-Arthur Vincent, it features red copper adorned with gold leaf, and was sculpted by Olindo Gratton between 1910 and 1911 . Statuary: Thirteen statues representing patron saints of Montreal parishes adorn the cathedral's façade, a nod to the twelve apostles statues at St. Peter's. These were sculpted by Olindo Gratton between 1892 and 1898 . Organ: The cathedral houses a grand organ built by Casavant Frères, originally inaugurated in 1893. It underwent significant enhancements in 1951 and a restoration in 1995–1996, now boasting 93 stops, four manuals, and a pedal board . 🕊️ Cultural and Religious Importance As the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal, the cathedral remains an active place of worship and a central figure in the city's religious life. Its construction during a period of religious tension underscores its role in asserting Catholic identity and influence in Montreal. The cathedral's designation as a National Historic Site of Canada in 2000 further cements its significance in the nation's cultural and historical landscape . 📍 Visiting Information Access: Easily reachable via Bonaventure Metro Station and Central Station. Surroundings: Adjacent to Place du Canada and Dorchester Square, and near landmarks like the Sun Life Building and the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. Located at 1085 Cathedral Street, at the intersection of René-Lévesque Boulevard and Metcalfe Street, this cathedral is a prominent feature of downtown Montreal's skyline.

This was another great architectural sight in Montreal, Canada. You might get a feeling of déjà vu upon seeing the Cathedral-Basilica of Mary, it's modeled after the Vatican in Rome The Catholic Mary Queen of the World Cathedral was built in 1894 as a smaller version of St. Peter's in Rome. The guide informed us that the 13 statues that line the façade's roofline represent the patron saints of parishes who were benefactors for Mary, Queen of the World. Each statue, carved of wood and clad with copper, is 9 feet tall and the work of Joseph Olindo-Gratton, a native of the Quebec province. You can barely see the copper dome and tower from street level. The dome was 252 feet tall and made in 1870-1894. The twelve full-sized copper statues on the roof are the apostles. just wow- it might not come when you research Montreal's top things to do - but make sure you visit it

What a sight to see!!! I've never been in a cathedral so big, so many artifacts, serene, peaceful, almost magical.

This 'minor basilica', a scale model of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal and a National Historic Site of Canada. The front entrance has both steps, and a drive to the huge entrance doors. Inside is a narthex running the full width of the building. Please remember, this is a place of worship. Be respectful of those in prayer throughout. Entering the cathedral through another set of enormous doors the cathedral makes a grand first impression. Along both the right and left sides are chapels dedicated to saints, a baptistry, paintings and statues. Most chapels have candles to light and spaces to sit and pray. A bishops burial chapel is also located within the cathedral. The Ciborium for me is the real show stopper. I was lucky enough to see the one in St. Peter's cathedral, Rome. This is impressive to see in person. Although we did not have an opportunity to hear the organ from 1893, from reading up on it, I'm sure it would have been a treat. You can walk behind the alter/ciborium where there are more areas of worship. If you enjoy the art and architecture of these beautiful Roman churches, you will certainly enjoy this one.

Visited this Roman catholic church during our visit to Montreal. It is a very beautiful church modeled after Saint Basilica of Rome located at the heart of down town. Very solemn church, great architecture & very well maintained. Enjoyed our visit. I Highly recommend.

This Cathedral is located across from Dorchester Square. I would say this is a popular spot for the wedding ceremony. Great place to have pictures taken here given the very big open space. The Cathedral is huge inside. The cathedral is very well kept given the fact that it was built in the late 1800s. There are super high ceilings here. The cathedral takes up the entire block. It is definitely worth visiting here and taking photos.

It's a must to visit when you are at Montreal downtown.Stunning and Instagramable. Been here few times and it always amazed me.

One of the must see attractions in town. I like the historic building and high ceilings. This is also a photogenic spot for Instagram lovers.

Sure, it looks nice from the front but it's inside where the Cathedrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde blows you away. "Marie, Queen of the World." The ceiling is incredible and it just goes on and on. Magnificent doesn't begin to describe it. Built between 1875 and 1894, it's over 100 meters long and the cupola is 76 meters high. It's really a scale model of the famous Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. I arrived in between services and while there were some folks sitting in the pews, it was still quite respectful. Please keep that in mind if you're visiting - this is a real live church. Be aware of that.

So peaceful inside. This was my second visit in the last five months. I prayed and lit a candle in front of the area designated for Mother Teresa who known as the "Saint Teresa of Calcutta" (India). There are many Saints to light a real wax candle in front of and pray which are scattered throughout this huge cathedral. Whether you are Catholic or not, you should visit this sacred space. There is a wall of historical paintings from the settlement of Montreal and interactions with The First People (Native Americans) as they are called in Canada.

"Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral" translated to English. This is the 3rd largest church in all of Quebec, built in 1894. Gorgeous turquoise-colored dome roof. Walk in through the heavy swinging doors, and your transported!!

I've never seen the inside of this church until my most recent trip to Montreal, having only passed by it on previous trips. but with the convenience of Sunday evening mass (a rarity here in the States!) that was in progress as I was walking back from eating a ridiculous amount of poutine, I could not help but heed the call. the inside is magnificent, quite sizable yet not to the point of making you feel insignificant. the whole place is based on a scale model of Saint Peter's in Rome, and there's a neat spy story involved in how that model was made. great artwork, not just the usual saints and icons, but also of French Catholic history in Canada.

Beautiful church, no entrance fee but if you want to light a candle you have to pay $5. There was a lot of huge artwork that was beautiful and the ceilings were gorgeous.

What a beautiful statement of history! I have never been to a cathedral before and my breath was absolutely taken away. This is such a magnificent structure. We had the opportunity to speak with someone inside the crypt of all the archbishops and he gave us a little history of the place. All the marble in this cathedral was imported straight from Italy, and the 2nd archbishop who built this cathedral was able to predict it's opportune location by placing it near the metro station. There was also some sort of service going on in one of the side rooms when we visited and people were singing hymns that added an ethereal feeling to the atmosphere. Definitely a place worth checking out and spending some time in while you're in the area.

An absolutely stunning Church, that is as beautiful as it is large. Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral is right up there with the St. Peter's and St. Patrick's of the world. I had the privilege of attending Mass at this gorgeous Cathedral, and the grandeur of it all really makes you feel small, in a good way. It entices you to look up, to feel humbled, and to recognize that you are part of something greater. The interior of the dome is wonderful and awe-inspiring. The Church itself is is a great respite from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area it sits in. Whether you're a believer or just a lover of history, this is one destination you simply should not miss.

Beautiful, peaceful, very big, unique ceiling, open to the public, no entrance fee like the big Basilica Notre Dame near by.

This is, hands down, one of the most amazing churches that I've ever been to in my life. It's just so impressive in every way! Seriously, just take five minutes to go walk inside and look around... it won't cost you a dime! What's there to lose? You can't help but be amazed by the architecture, the attention to detail, the grandeur of it all! My poor journalistic skills cannot put into words how amazing this church is... so that's why I took some photos! ^__^;; On the more logistical side of things, there's metered street parking nearby, a gift shop off to the side of the foyer, and homeless people will hold the door open for you, hoping for some spare change. It's supposedly a 1/3 scale of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

The beauty of this Church is breathtaking and will leave one speechless. Honestly, some of the most beautiful places in Montreal are away from the insane crowds. Notre Dame is famous, but this is just as gorgeous. Words. There are no words to truly describe the beauty of this place. Just visit, even if you are not Roman Catholic. It's worth it. Montreal is mostly about food, sure, but this is "wow."

Not as ornate as Notre Dame Basilica but definitely worth a visit. No payment upon entering as Notre Dame. We went to mass here and a cardinal was saying mass at the time we went. I found out this cathedral is the seat of the Montreal diocese. The altar is beautiful and reminds me of the one Bernini crafted in St Peter's Basilica in Rome. I guess this cathedral was modeled after St Peter's...so that explains the similarity. There is a section with cardinals and bishops tombs with one very old bronze tomb centered in the alcove of a cardinal (1799-1885). Beautiful carvings depict the stations of the cross. On the outside, there are statues which line the edge of the top of the building and a large sculpture outside. It was worth the walk from Old Montreal to this cathedral.

Located across the street from the Place du Canada park. It is by the Bell center and near the city center.

From the outside it looks like a government building, 13 statues standing atop the roof. It fits its name, this church is feminine. Pistachio green ,white, sandy brown interior with gold trimmings. It was delicate, serene, regal, well kept with beautiful lightning. It even smells sweet! Free, open until 18.15.

I will never forget this church as for me it represented a ray of light and new hope during a very difficult and emotional time in my life. I was in Montréal on a business trip and decided to extend my stay a few more days to take advantage of the Labor Day weekend. My husband joined me and we visited this church, which is truly unique and has a beautiful altar. As soon as I entered the church I saw a young priest, whom I later discovered as being Father Aleksander Dudik, and decided to take the sacrament of confession after several years. Father Dudik listened to the outpouring of my heart and gave me very compassionate spiritual advice, after the confession I felt anew and also took the sacrament of Eucharist. It was a very emotional experience and I still remember to day his words: "La main de dieu arrive plus loin que celle de l'homme".

Cha Cha's got it right. Why go all the way to Vatican City to see St Peter's when there's a replica right here? I've been to St Peter's and let me tell you - if you squint your eyes and lean your head to the left a bit, you'll swear you're right there...or not. But still, its a pretty darn good try at making St Peter's in a smaller form and is a lovely addition to Montreal. Love the green roof and the nice little square it sits in which is lovely for sitting, sipping a coffee, and taking in the surroundings!

while cite seeing Montreal my wife and I needed something to pass the time and this was it, we spent about 45 minutes just taking in this churches glory, it's pretty breath taking if I'm being honest I highly recommend checking it out, it's even ranked in Montreal's top 15 things to do.

A breathtaking church Free to enter and explore Majestic and calm

Built as a vanity project of a Roman Catholic Monseigneur in the late 1890s, it is a replica of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome (both inside and out). If you've never seen St. Peter's, then it's really impressive to see, but you won't be awed if you've seen the real thing in Rome. This cathedral has been restored in the past and has ongoing restorations, so some of it may be off limits when you go. It's got some grade A religious art and sculpture, so if you are an art lover, this is great place to see some up close. Be sure to pick up a guide/brochure detailing the history, art and architecture on the columns near the back of the nave. (You might have to look for it.) The tour of the church is better with it. It's located in downtown Montreal and is within walking distance of the Bonaventure Metro stop. You can access the metro through the basement of the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth next door. Like all churches, it's wheelchair accessible. The cathedral is open throughout the day and there is no admission fee, but it's recommended that you give a donation for the general upkeep. It's worth a visit if you are an art or architecture fan, but you aren't going to regret missing it if you have limited time in Montreal or have already seen St. Peter's in Rome.

You know how some people go to Vegas because they don't have the time/money to go to Europe to see the real thing? Well, for those who can't make it to the Vatican, you can experience St. Peter's Basilica in this cathedral. I know it's not the same thing but it's a pretty darn good replica at just 1/4 the size.

Beautiful cathedral in Downtown Montreal is quite deceiving outside. Located amongst the city's tall buildings, even the front of it doesn't really resemble a cathedral. However, on the inside it's grand and beautifully done. Another great place to visit, take some pictures and appreciate the awesome architecture.

Such an amazingly beautiful place. A definite must see! Open to the public. A peaceful place to reflect.

A very nice Cathedral that has a very similar feel to St Peter's in Vatican City. Quiet and elegant, this church is very well built and friendly but still remains humbling.

All I can really say is that this historical building is gorgeous. Enjoy the architectural beauty in silence and embrace it!

Yes, this is a replica of St Peter's but it is beautiful and fascinating in it's own right. When we entered we were offered a free guided tour by Michael, a local college student studying history. I am thrilled that we took him up on his offer! He had keys to several of the chapels and areas of the church that visitors can not access on their own and he was a wealth of knowledge!!! He was able to provide us with lots of information about the church as well as Montreal's rich religious history. This really enhanced our visit!!

Saw an infomercial that showed this place so we made a point of checking it out. One advantage over the Norte Dame Basilica was the free admission, and it had some very nice features including the amazing alter, but all in all wasn't as nice overall. Was a cool site to see, glad we were able to take it in.

I would rather go to Rome and see the real thing, just a copy of Saint Peters Basilica...

I walked around from old town to downtown and I was hoping to find this place. It's beautiful. There was mass going on and I did not go all the way in the front but was a great experience and nice to visit.

As stated by others, it's a replica of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. It's right downtown and very convenient to the Metro. Lovely both inside and out.