Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral

After crossing Place du Canada, you’ve just arrived in front of the awe-inspiring Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral. If it looks familiar to you, that’s no coincidence—it’s a smaller replica of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. In fact, it’s the exact same model, just three times smaller. For those who haven’t been to Rome, this gives you an idea of how monumental the original is. Built in 1875 to replace the original Saint-Jacques Cathedral, that had burned down in the great fire of 1852, this new cathedral was imagined by Montreal’s second bishop, Monsignor Bourget. Fascinated by the Pope after his visit in Rome, he was encouraged by his secretary to make a cathedral that would resemble St. Peter’s. A good idea as everybody approved and, in 1894, the new Saint Peter’s Cathedral of Montreal was consecrated. At the time, it was the largest church in Quebec! In 1919, it was designated a minor basilica, and in 1955, it was renamed the Mary, Queen of the World and St. James the Greater Cathedral, a name so long it almost needs its own pew. Know that, on top of the Vatican’s basilica, a statue of Jesus stands while being surrounded by twelve apostles. Here, you’ll find thirteen statues instead, all representing the patron saints of Montreal parishes who pooled their resources to make this cathedral a reality. As expected, if the exterior mirrors the Vatican, so does the interior! The twisted-column baldachin is the same size as Bernini’s, and the coffered ceiling in white and gold is just as stunning. As for the transept paintings, they depict moments of the city’s own history. The cathedral also houses a sanctuary, a funeral chapel for Montreal’s bishops, and a wedding chapel. Of course, it’s a National Historic Site of Canada.