“Masterpiece”

Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

The Cathedral was designated a basilica in 1997, when Pope John Paul II made a historic visit to St. Louis

The structure of the church itself is stunning—a pastiche of Gothic, Medieval and Renaissance architecture

The cathedral is best known for its amazing mosaic collection (41 million pieces); it took 76 years to complete the mosaic work.

Foyer of the Cathedral

The lighting in the Cathedral is dim, yellowish, and irregular; snapshots tend to be disappointing, and do not adequately portray the color and detail

Mosaics cover almost every inch of the ceiling and many of the walls of the church’s interior. Started in 1908, completion of the cathedral’s mosaics was not accomplished until 1988

In 1912, installation of mosaics in the interior began. Completed in 1988, the mosaics collectively contain 41.5 million glass tesserae pieces in more than 7,000 colors. Covering 83,000 sq ft, it is one of the largest mosaic collections in the world.

Main area of the Basilica

The main dome depicts Biblical scenes from both the Old Testament and New Testament

Our Lady’s Chapel – side chapel. It is in the Italian style and was designed by Tiffany & Company of New York.

Our Lady’s Chapel – side chapel. It is in the Italian style and was designed by Tiffany & Company of New York.

Behind the altar (on the right)

The dome above the sanctuary depicts the twelve Apostles.

Blessed Sacrament Chapel – for private prayer. The red mosaics in the arches continues the red ceiling of the ambulatory, which symbolizes the blood of Christ. Bronze gate from the St. Louis World’s Fair of 1904

Blessed Sacrament Chapel

All Soul’s Chapel, burial place for Cardinal Glennon, Cardinal Ritter and Archbishop May. (red papal hats) The black marble signifies death, and the white marble symbolizes eternal life.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, located in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, is well known for the beauty of its mosaic collection (41 million pieces).  Covering 83,000 sq ft, it is one of the largest mosaic collections in the world.  Taking 76 years to complete, the installation of mosaics in the interior began in 1912 and completed 1988.

(Click each tile for enlarged version and complete caption)

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“Masterpiece”

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