Ottawa Oldest Catholic Church Deserves a Visit
In a city full of iconic buildings, Ottawa's Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica tends to get overshadowed by the Parliament Buildings just up the road. That is a shame, because Notre-Dame is a genuinely extraordinary place and remarkably easy to visit.
Located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, the cathedral has been standing since 1841, making it the oldest surviving Catholic church in the city.
What Makes Notre-Dame Special
A guided tour reveals details you would never notice on your own:
Wooden columns disguised as marble. The cathedral's interior columns appear to be polished marble but are actually wood, crafted and finished by French-Canadian artisans to create a convincing illusion.
Two historic organs with over 4,000 pipes. Together the cathedral's two organs contain more than 4,000 pipes of varying sizes, distributed throughout the building so their sound fills the space evenly.
A connection to Parliament. The main altar was created by French-Canadian craftsmen and sculptors, many of whom also worked on the ornamentation of the Parliament Buildings.
Practical Details
Guided tours are available every day and cost just $10. The cathedral is open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and weekends 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. General admission is free.
It is an easy addition to any Ottawa day out, especially if you are already visiting the nearby ByWard Market or National Gallery.
Source: @ottawaisnotboring on Instagram
