Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

You’re now standing in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the seat of Melbourne’s Catholic archdiocese. It holds the title of both the biggest and tallest church in the country. It was erected in 1848 by Melbourne’s first archbishop. Makes sense, then, that it’s dedicated to Ireland’s patron saint – the city’s Catholic community, including the archbishop himself, was largely Irish back then. Just a reminder, here, that the English are Anglicans, not Catholics! You might not notice it at first, but the cathedral is built at an angle, on a traditional east-west axis. This alignment is not random – it’s to symbolize the belief in the resurrection of Christ. It’s quite impressive, all black and neo-Gothic, and made of basalt, the volcanic rock found in the region. It’s built in the Gothic style of the 13th century, like all great European cathedrals. For those of you who’ve been to Sydney, you should know that William Wardell, the architect behind this cathedral, also designed St Mary’s Cathedral there. Feel free to head inside and explore! The cathedral’s acoustics are said to be exceptional, making it an ideal space for musical performances. And here’s a little fun fact: the cathedral’s choir was founded in 1939, when Vienna’s Mozart Boys’ Choir was stranded in Australia at the start of the war! You can still enter if there’s a mass, but please don’t take any photos.