The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

I was absolutely moved. I was not expecting such a magnificent Basilica to be here in the States. Every turn and every corner was filled with beauty and art and Faith. It was a quick initial visit but I will absolutely go back and spend more time. This is a must-see!

Our day started at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, which is Gothic on the outside and Byzantine on the inside, and the largest display of mosaics in the world. Even walking through the very small garden outside was tranquil. This place was stunning, and we spent over an hour here. There are chapels and artwork on the good deeds done by past parishioners, and a helpful gentleman that may walk over to you and provide details and context if you sit in the pew long enough. It was a great experience.

It is breathtaking, beautiful inside and out. Love the intricate detail of the bizentine frescos, the height of the ceilings, and the marble detail throughout! It is a beautiful Cathedral one of the most beautiful I have seen in America. One of the most striking images of the Sacred heart of Jesus. I truly love it! They also house a museum, though closed on the day I visited, I can imagine the collection, a definite reason to return. The gardens outside are also spectacular and peaceful. It is more than a place to worship it is a place to meditate to be nurtured spiritually, to connect with yourself and God. I recommend a visit. It is a definite must-see! We'll going to church is always highly recommended. It is the time that God uses to nurture your mind, your heart, and spirit. The time he uses to transform your life to bless it ever so abundantly!

I went here for a combined. Confirmation ceremony for several local schools. It was a beautiful ceremony. I arrived early to get a parking spot in the parking lot and was able to do so. You have to know where to set so that the acoustics don't interfere with the sound system. We sat on the Mary side of the church and had a great view of the altar.

Absolutely stunning Cathedral!! The craftsmanship and artistry are out of this world beautiful!!! The story of the mosaics is almost unbelievable, the patience and precision is just exquisite!! The Bible and life, death, and resurrection of our Risen Jesus Christ Lord and Saviour is captured so beautifully!! My wife and I spent a good hour walking around the church and taking in the museum, which tells the story of the construction of the church so well. It really was a religious experence!! I highly recommend taking the time to visit!! Such a blessing!!

Definitely the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to. I have the privilege of taking my mother here and she was so overwhelmed with the beauty, and God‘s grace that she cried several times throughout our tour inside these walls. It’s an absolute worldly experience if you have a chance to visit, don’t pass it up you’ll never see anything like this.

A distinguished and unique cathedral in the middle of the Midwest! The essence gave Italian architecture. As vast as the corridors are, there is definitely a humbling presence of intimacy for fostering religious traditions.

We went to mass here, and I have to give it its credit. Truly one of the most impressive churches in America. Even if you are not religious it’s worth seeing this building!

So how do you rate a basilica that is beautiful and dates to over 100 years ago? As the seat of this diocese, the Cathedral-Basilica was a stunning building. We were not there during a service, and so cannot comment on the liturgies, but as a monument to Catholic devotion, this place knocked it out of the park. With a floorplan designed around the shape of a cross, the main altar was a sight. Besides the altars on each arm of the cross shape, the main altar included a pair of flanking side altars/chapels, the one on the right devoted to the Blessed Sacrament. And if the layout of altars wasn't enough, the ceiling and domes were majestic ... and mostly done in mosaics. Beautiful cathedral, wonderful place to practice your faith and take a moment to appreciate all in your life. Do visit ...

A breathtaking view when you enter the Church. This is my go-to place when it comes to worship. I could tell people who never been here are at awe when they look above and around. I felt the same way every time I walk in here. Definitely a good place to visit if you're here in STL, MO.

It's a beautiful place to visit and worship. Every angle of the building is stunning and the richness of the holy scriptures and its history. Best place to visit when you're in St. Louis

I was in the Old Cathedral the other day and thought that was beautiful, and walk inside and am in awe of the beauty! Absolutely stunning! The architecture from the outside to the inside. Paying attention to the artwork- it really is a story of God's family and plan of salvation! Sooo ornate. So peaceful. Even if you are not Catholic come inside, they have tours if Mass is not happening.

This is an absolutely beautiful church. I've visited before and I wanted to come here for Sunday Mass on my last visit to STL. The mosaics and the overall architecture are what drew me in. I especially like the mosaics of the 4 massive angels. And I like the different chapels along the sides. And it makes it extra special that JPII visited.

This was such a beautiful experience. There are guides that you may ask questions, or you can wander in silence. This basilica is as beautiful as any in Europe. The ceilings, the chapel, alters and stain glass are beautiful works of art to marvel. Photography is welcome everywhere except the chapel. We spent a half hour wandering and enjoying the silent beauty. The church had such an atmosphere of peace. It is the largest basilica west of the Mississippi. Confessionals were open if you so desired. There was ample parking.

I visit every chance we get. Such a beautiful Cathedral Basilica and I always enjoy the peace and praying here. One day I plan to do a tour!

This is by far the most beautiful building I've ever been in. If you are anywhere near St Louis and looking for something to see, look no further! This is an absolutely incredible work of art! You've gotta stop by and see this place for yourself if you're ever in the area!

Just beautiful! Was told we needed to go see it and so we did. We accidentally interrupted mass but other then that it was beautiful. It's hard for me to see this kind of opulence and know people are suffering I'm this world in the name of religion but it was very peaceful in there and well taken care of. Also it's free to visit. Bonus.

Free to visit- just be mindful of the when mass is if you are not participating in that. There is also a small museum in the basement that is free. Beautiful space for a quick visit and to enjoy the peace and quiet while looking up at the mosaics.

I am absolutely not a Roman Catholic but I can still appreciate a fantastic church, right? This building was completed in 1914 and is the seat of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. It was designated a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1997. The church is known for having one of the largest mosaic installations in the Western Hemisphere. I've been to a number of cathedrals around the world including Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde in Montreal, https://www.yelp.com/biz/cath%C3%A9drale-marie-reine-du-monde-montr%C3%A9al-4?hrid=blpqF2k8GmXGkkVLmf19qA, Westminster Cathedral in London https://www.yelp.com/biz/westminster-cathedral-london-3?hrid=TMDayKseNYi13LbthlTBEg, Sé do Porto in Portugal https://www.yelp.com/biz/s%C3%A9-do-porto-porto?hrid=ir0VMY5wJMz3a6a0V7knhw and the Duomo di Milano https://www.yelp.com/biz/duomo-di-milano-milano-3?hrid=Qg9uTmi5Dk17aRDlCjoVQQ. This one is just as magnificent. [Review 17228 overall - 136 in Missouri - 745 of 2022.]

This is a great place to check out for visitors or locals. It will take less than an hour to see and is a nice break from the heat outside. The inside of the basilica is an ENOURMOUS collection of mosaics. It's beautiful and intriguing to look at even if you aren't religious at all. You are left alone to explore and view the mosaics throughout the cathedral. You can go into the basement and pay a small admission fee for the "museum" part where you can learn more about the history. Just make sure you go outside of service hours so you don't accidentally interrupt!

This cathedral has one of the largest mosaics in the Western Hemisphere, and is open to the public, free of charge. Just make sure to check the website for mass times and check to see if there are special events (there was a confirmation the day I went, but I was able to come back later). The mosaics are sparkling, beautiful, expansive. They look different from each angle and with each shade & tone of light. About 3 to 3.5 miles out of downtown. And don't confuse it with another basilica with a similar name, which has King of France in the title. I'm not religious, and could still appreciate it.

If you have been to Europe and seen the cathedrals and churches, will the St. Louis Basilica shock you? The answer is yes! The US has very few cathedrals to compare to some of the colossal overseas, but the St. Louis easily passes the mustard in terms of the competition! Now I am not hyping it up against the greats (Papal Basilica, St. Basils, Cordoba, Sagrada Familia, etc.), but it is well worth it to see it and be proud of what this city constructed! There was no cost when I visited, they also allow photos with no flash, which is great. As always, respect the rules, be quiet, hats off, do not disturb any gatherings. Take your time thought to walk around and be in awe at the detail of the dome and it's intricate designs. Since it was a hot day, sitting down taking in the wonders in a relatively cool building was a no brainer for me! If you dig churches, basilica's, or cathedrals, this is one to not miss if you are in town, whether short on time or not.

While visiting St Louis a few years ago, I decided to visit some historical sites as well. Having grown up Catholic, and then touring places with my family as a child, I grew to appreciate such places. So I made a special trip to see the Cathedral Basilica of St Louis. I walked there through the gardens/park after visiting the Art Museum. There was a bit of a wait since there was a wedding in progress when I arrived. This really is a spectacular sight! I love seeing the architecture and all the details that went into this cathedral. There's also gardens you can roam with sculptures depicting the faith. With the visit!

Even my hardcore atheist partner appreciated and enjoyed this beautiful cathedral. Believe it or not he didn't get struck by lightning! This place is stunning and a must see when in the St Louis Area. So even if you aren't Catholic or religious consider stopping by. Unless you're completely dead inside you will appreciate the beauty of this place.

I've been fortunate enough to visit some of Europe's most spectacular cathedrals, so I will admit that when I saw the Cathedral Basilica recommended as a must while in St. Louis, I thought, "How impressive can it really be?" Then I saw pictures and immediately added it to my itinerary. The cathedral contains one of the largest mosaic installations in the Western Hemispheres, which intrigued me because I love mosaics, especially Byzantine-style mosaics. While visiting, I found it interesting and touching to see depictions of distinctly modern American images, such as a 1947 decree from the archbishop ending segregation in St. Louis parochial schools. I would highly recommend a free visit to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, perhaps the most striking cathedral I've seen in the United States. There is street parking available nearby, and restrooms can be found in the building.

Hi, the names Ica. Basil Ica, at your service. This is my girlfriend, Ms Edral. Cath Edral. I like that the girls in Saint Loose like to get it on at the drop of the hat, but what I really like are these gorgeous towering religious structures that give a high-crime and troubled city some real character and astonishingly beautiful landmarks, no more so than this Basilica. One of the amazing and gorgeous and oh-so-haunting buildings in St Louis that towers over the neighbourhood. It's definitely one of the prettiest cathedrals in Missouri and actually one of my favourites in the whole country. There's no way that a spectacular building like this (inside and out) could get anything less than five stars. If you didn't think that there were things like this in Missouri, then you haven't been to Missouri enough have you! Could be in NYC, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and would be right at home. Stunning.

This is an absolutely stunning basilica with over 41 million mosaic tiles! The installation of all those tiny tiles took about 75 years to complete. Many of the pieces are gold, applied unevenly to create a shifting reflection of light, bringing the mosaics to life. When you visit, do not skip the mosaic museum in the basement where you'll learn all about the process of applying the tiles. It's very interesting! You will see many other artifacts, but I won't spoil it for you. It was a very spiritually moving experience, and I'm so glad I took the time to check it out.

This was an amazing stop that I glad we made in our tour of sightseeing through St. Louis. I'm not religious at all but the beauty of this Cathedral is stunning regardless of your beliefs. The art and architecture inside and out is staggering. Truly an ethereal experience---every turn you make within the Cathedral yields another beautiful view. Possibly the highlight our our St. Louis sightseeing.

Only one word to say: GO!!! The cathedral is just so beautiful. Many wonderful, colorful mosaic installations with a lot of history as well. They also have an informative museum on the bottom floor. A true St Louis gem!

Outside of the Vatican, this new world cathedral is a must visit. The largest mosaics in the world spans over 83k sq feet. Museum is located front door turn right go downstairs. Mass is @12pm

I have started going to Holy Mass at the Basilica on Sunday mornings. While I don't live close by, it's worth it for me to travel a bit. There's no more magnificent church in the Midwest - I'd venture to say in America! I've seen a lot of old cathedrals in Europe, and this beats even them - even Notre Dame in Paris. The mosaic art and architecture is incredible. It's a credit to St. Louis, and when I have visitors, this is one of the first places I take them, whether they are religious or not - they can appreciate the beauty and sacred space. Does my soul some good anyway!

My friends and I were in St Louis last month, and the top item on our list was the Cathedral Basilica. NOTE: This is NOT the old Cathedral at the downtown Gateway Arch. The Cathedral Basilica was constructed later and is located on Lindell Blvd in the Central West End. From the moment we walked in, we were entranced by the awe-inspiring mosaics, lovely statuary, and incredible artwork. The mosaic museum in the basement is well worth walking through, especially the exhibit comparing Byzantine and Italianate mosaics. It's best to start one's visit at the front of the Cathedral, in the narthex, to pick up brochures and other materials that describe the artwork, mosaics and statuary. The Cathedral Basilica has its own parking lot, which is a real benefit in a city with limited street parking. Please know that you cannot visit when Mass is being celebrated, so it is beneficial to research the schedule of services. It is a working cathedral, with services held daily and often multiple times a day. We encountered a very nice security guard, and a kind and welcoming priest. We liked the fact that there was no donation box, but we do suggest having some dollar bills as donations are requested when lighting the votive candles. We recommend allowing at least 30 - 45 minutes for a visit. We found our time at the Cathedral Basilica to be very peaceful, and consider it a must-see for any visitor to St Louis, whether or not they are religious.

I assumed that the basilica in a city named for St. Louis would be impressive. I just didn't know it would've so magnificent. This is one of the most beautiful churches I've ever seen. Every nook and cranny in this massive structure has something beautiful to behold. It's a must see for anyone traveling to or through the St Louis area. And if you live in the city and haven't visited, shame on you. It's one of your greatest treasures. My only regret is that we got there after the last tour was given. But, to be honest, I was too blown away by the beauty of this basilica to have remembered anything that a tour guide would have told me anyway. It truly is a bombardment of the visual sense in here. I think God might even look down on it and say, "Wow, y'all really outdid yourselves on this one. Nice job."

This place is AMAZING!! I literally felt like I was transported back to Europe. You'll be in awe when you walk in and see all the sparkling Byzantine mosaics! In fact, this Basilica had more mosaics under one roof than anywhere else in the world. Cool, right? You have to see it in person! We took a free tour on Sunday and our guide was fantastic! She was really entertaining to listen to and she shared a lot of awesome facts about the Baslicia. You could tell she knew her stuff and that she had a passion for it. If you're in St. Louis, don't pass up coming here. You can't see anything like this anywhere else in the U.S.!

We were in St. Louis at the start of vacation. After the Botanical gardens, we needed a place to sit and get a cold drink...It was hot that day. Asking the bartender he recommended this place. Was close by relatively for StL. Immense!!!!! Remember a few churches near here I know it would be possible to place 4---5 ---6 of their worship space inside this. Definitely reminded me or pictures have seen of the many churches in Europe. BUT, the size hits you when you walk in.....But it's the detail....everywhere carvings...painting etc.....on every surface. The ceiling is hard to take in because of size, but for this just being able to look up that long to grasp it. On each side of the primary alter, there are secondary small chapels.. Take the time to look, BUT it is a church not a playground......There was a wedding rehearsal happening when we were there......but they took care of what they needed to do...The tourists were just ...props???

We popped in our trip to St. Louis, and _wow_!!! It's a quick visit (less than an hour), but definitely a "must see." We traveled through a few cathedrals in France last year, and the Byzantine art style and interior cupola can compete seriously with those churches. (I'm an organist and I would've loved to have gotten into the loft to see the instrument, but we couldn't access it...)

This was the highlight of my trip and has got to be one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. It is quiet, easily accessible, and open for tours. Please be respectful when visiting this sacred house. You really feel the presence of God is this immaculately ornate edifice. There so much history here. I visited yesterday, walked around, reflected, and said a prayer. Also consider leaving a donation for the needy as well. This is a must visit on any trip to St. Louis. It is so welcoming and peaceful. I really felt like I was in a cathedral in Italy or France.

I'd definitely recommend a visit to the Basilica. The massive church is incredibly beautiful with so many mosaics. There is a small donation based museum in the lower level. When entering grab a brochure which will enable you to do a self guided tour as you walk around.

the detail work on the mosaics is some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. like girl!!! it's giving!!!!!

Following other Yelp reviews of what to see in St. Louis and this was a must see. Thank you Yelpers because you are SO right. It was such a beautiful church. It is free and open to the public. Everywhere you look there is ornate artwork. Stain glass, paintings and iron work. After walking around I took some time just to sit. This is one of those locations that just you feel.

Beautiful! The heavy, tall wooden doors open to a majestic, serene place of worship. I suggest visiting outside of mass when no one is there; you'll have peace and quiet to walk around and see all the history and all the beautiful art. The tranquility will calm you and you'll leave feeling very relaxed and clear-minded.

The outside is stunning but go inside! The art will give you shivers. Parking in the back. Free to visit. Check their calendar to make sure there isn't mass happening when you plan your visit.

I am proud to call the Cathedral Basilica my parish, even though I no longer live in St. Louis. I was baptized here and it will always be considered home. Its beauty is indescribable and meant to be experienced in person. Outside of Vatican City, this cathedral is one of the best in regards to fascinating details and intricate mosaic workings. The hours have changed drastically over the years; back in the day, the church was open 24/7. The church now closes at 5pm daily, except for special services (Christmas, Easter, catechisms, etc). Everyone is welcome to take a self-tour of the grounds, but please be respectful of those praying or attending mass. There is a lot to see (particularly if you're planning to study the artwork, so it's best to come when you're not rushed for time. Be sure to visit the gift shop and museum before you leave.

We went to the 8AM mass that was very reverent and Father gave a good homily. The basilica is beautiful with all its mosaic art and the music (organ) is epic. Highly recommend checking it out even if you're not Catholic. Dress code: I recommend wearing something modest.

I'd visited St. Louis several times but hadn't visited the cathedral until this past weekend when my husband and I visited some friends. It's absolutely worth visiting. The cathedral is absolutely stunning. The mosaics collectively contain 41.5 million glass tesserae pieces in more than 7,000 colors!!!!! Covering 83,000 square feet, it is the largest mosaic collection in the world outside Russia! You can walk around on your own or join a guided tour. We spent about 30 minutes exploring the cathedral, and I can't stress enough that if you enjoy art or architecture, you should most definitely stop by! Well worth it! Don't miss the little museum in the basement or the gift shop (if it's open)!

This is a tough review to rate more so than it is a tough review to write. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis fetches 5 stars considering it's the basilica of a second tier American city but might be a 4 star experience when compared to basilicas the world over. Let's go with 5 stars, however, because some bigger American cities don't have a principal Roman Catholic cathedral of this scale and beauty. I was in here twice ... once during a Mass just because I happened to be in the area at that time. One can still quietly walk around the sides of the church. There were people greeting parishioners, folks going to church, and visitors after the Saturday evening Mass was over. I got the feeling that this is a vibrant and dynamic congregation, befitting the grandiosity of this church and the fact that it's in the Central West End, close to the city's big universities and major medical centers. I then returned because I was told there were free tours at times other than when a Mass or other special event is going on. The tour lasted between 30 minutes and an hour. That tour made for an incredible impression because it explained the craftsmanship and symbolism inside the basilica. Not only that, the woman leading the tour was energetic and charismatic with both her wealth of information about the basilica and engaging sense of humor. I left with a lot of knowledge, a lot of photos, in awe, and with $5 less in my wallet. While the tour is free, it is a great gesture on the basilica's behalf to provide the tours (which are all about informing and not about evangelizing), so do leave a donation. I don't know the style of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Oftentimes, major American churches are eclectically styled and this one could fuse Romanesque and Byzantine architecture. However, it's the interior that is especially stunning. The tour provides a statistic as to how many pieces of "glass" are in the building. I didn't see all that much glass in the church because it's a stout edifice and somewhat somber inside. What the "glass" refers to is the mosaic pieces in the artwork in the basilica. You can spend quite a bit of time analyzing and photographing them. The basilica's doors are open to all and demographics don't matter. Walk around inside, take a tour, or, if interested, attend a service. The basilica may not have the fanfare of the Gateway Arch, but it is in every which way worthy of a visit if in St. Louis.

Simply stunning. I accidentally came during Mass the first time. They are extremely sweet and welcoming. I was able to walk around the sides of the cathedral during mass. They do have free tours I was not able to take advantage of while I was there. Hopefully, next time I will be. Great for photos outside and in. Just be sure to double check where you take your photos. Some areas are not allowed to have any pictures.

We saw many Cathedrals throughout our trip to the Mediterranean that were stunning but, this Cathedral is as beautiful as any of them were. It does not have have the side altars that many of them had but, the beauty here is the main altar and the ceiling. This is a must see if you visit St. Louis. There is ample parking in the rear and you can enter from the side door. They close at 5:00 so be mindful of your time. I believe they also offer tours at times on the weekend. Sorry we missed taking one so we will come back again.

Very nice cathedral. Very peaceful inside and it's open to the public. Highly recommended to visit when in St. Louis.

Such a magnificent structure. The tile work is absolutely awe inspiring. Gorgeous! Tours are provided that will give you the history of construction and so forth

Constructed between 1907 and 1914, The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is likely best known for its expansive interior mosaics, and although it is now 105 years old the architecture remains impressive thanks to its Romanesque Revival style. Open from 7am daily, those planning in advance are encouraged to book a free tour which offers further insight into various depictions.

The beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St Louis and St Louis, MO itself were both named after the only French monarch to be declared a saint: King Louis IX. He was known to have frequently served hundreds of poor people in his home, often serving these guests himself. A worthy mission, in my opinion. At the very least it was worthy of the mosaic you'll find at the entrance of this basilica which shows "St Louis relieving the needy." The mosaics throughout, along with the architectural design, are breathtaking. However, whether or not the church has maintained St Louis' original mission is not as evident. The basilica claims the largest mosaic collection in the world. Highly impressive by human standards when you consider the amount of labor that went into creating these works of art. Given the number of people visiting from around the world and number of tours provided, I was disappointed to find a gift shop with books solely in English. There was not a single bilingual book to be found. There were brochures with tour information about the basilica in a few different languages but that was all. Apparently, they have enough visitors from around the world to create not only guided tours but a gift shop, yet they do not offer books in any other language besides English. Not even in St Louis' mother tongue, French. The architecture is outstanding and definitely worth checking out. However, it's unclear if St Louis is still reaching out to the needy through the basilica that bears his name, or if his original mission has been sacrificed on it's breathtaking altar.

A European style Cathedral in the middle of the United States. Combining Italian and Byzantine style architecture this is one of the must sees if you are in St. Louis. Yes St. Louis has the Arch but really the world should see this church. The Mosaics that adorn most of the ceiling and some of the walls are a gigantic undertaking. When started it was thought it would take almost 100 years to complete. It was closer to 80 years to finish them. It matters not what religion, faith, or lack of either the work of art in this Basilica is absolutely stunning and not replaceable.

Beautiful beautiful cathedral completed in 1914. Elegant on the outside and stunning on the interior -- it's quite the jewel in CWE. I've only been on weekdays to admire the mosaics. Anyone can go in for a visit during open hours (for free)! There's a museum in the basement with a separate entrance fee. Even if you're not Catholic, you can still appreciate the art and architecture.

First off, add this place to your next St.Louis itinerary. And, if you're a local, stop dragging your feet and pay a visit. It's free and almost always open so no excuses. I originally found Cathedral Basilica of St.Louis on Atlas Obscura as it is second to the Basilica in Rome for number of mosaic tiles. Seriously, you guys, this beauty is covered from head to toe. From modern mural scenes to columns that shine beautifully in the light, you won't regret setting aside a half an hour to an hour to check it out. Tours are available as well as plenty of signs to explain what you're looking at and the history of the building.

Any visit to St Louis is not complete without a stop to the Basilica. The history, architecture, and sheer vastness lends to a cathartic walk through time as you see the statues, mosaics, and wood seating. Whether you can spend 15 minutes or even an hour, the time you spend at the Basilica is well worth your time.

"Gorgeous", "exquisite" and "beautiful" come to mind. This cathedral rivals anything I've seen in Europe and I highly recommend a visit. I'm not religious and this isn't my religion, but it's truly a "must" if you go to St. Louis. We visited yesterday and practically had it all to ourselves. (Note that there's a parking lot in the back, with an entrance from Maryland Avenue).