Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington D.C.

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Throughout the Basilica’s interior images of the Blessed Virgin are everywhere; it is Her church after all!

Thank God, or Mary, for the Roman Catholic Church’s dedication to the arts. The glorious gold mosaics in one of the Basilica’s more than 70 chapels show the Virgin in Her many patroness positions, such as the Our Lady of Vilnius (see photo #1).

Following the Byzantine tradition, the use of mosaics is widely seen throughout the Basilica (see photos #1 to #4). It is estimated that the mosaic decoration of interior covers 75,545 sq. ft. of the Basilica.

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ALL ABOUT MARY Pope Pius IX, the same pope whose generosity for the Washington Monument was repaid with great meanspiritedness (see my Washington Monument Things-To-Do Tip for more detail), named the Blessed Virgin Mary patroness of the United States under the title of the Immaculate Conception.

Pius X in 1913 approved plans for building a national shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin in the United States. The Vatican made a $400 contribution toward its construction; other funds were raised by parishes in the United States.

Originally, the Basilica’s design was to be Neo-Gothic, resembling a 14th-century French cathedral. Fusing the Romanesque and Byzantine styles was meant to separate America’s national shrine from already existing forms, to be something unique.

I attended Sunday Mass here. It was really quite easy to reach on the Metro.

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The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic Church in all of North America. It's a truly awe-inspiring sight, visible for miles. Visited by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, it is the nation's pre-eminent Marian shrine, and one of Washington's most visited places.

Completed in the early 1920s, it is built in the eastern Romanesque or Byzantine style (a bit like St Sophia in old Constantinople). The Great Dome is 108 feet in diameter, and the height of the campanile (tower) is 329 feet. One of the world's ten largest churches, it can accomodate 6,000 people.

4 more images

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic Church in all of North America. It's a truly awe-inspiring sight, visible for miles. Visited by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, it is the nation's pre-eminent Marian shrine, and one of Washington's most visited places.

Completed in the early 1920s, it is built in the eastern Romanesque or Byzantine style (a bit like St Sophia in old Constantinople). The Great Dome is 108 feet in diameter, and the height of the campanile (tower) is 329 feet. One of the world's ten largest churches, it can accomodate 6,000 people. Be sure to visit the Upper Church, the crypt, and Mary's Garden (outside, around back).

The Basilica of the National Shrine is impressive. How could the largest Catholic church in North America and THE largest repository of mosaic art in the world not be? For me, though, it is not the Great Upper church which caught my imagination and inspired me. No, it was the much smaller but more intimate crypt church which has made each of my several visits worthwhile.

The Crypt Church is the oldest part of the Basilica, dating back to the time of the founding in 1920. It is ornate but in an elegant, understated, way with muted earth tones in beige, gold, brown and cream.

The low vaulted ceiling, pillars and tiles create an atmosphere which is more intimate than any other Catholic church that I have found in America, and I have visited quite a few.

I highly recommend a visit, perhaps even more than one if time permits.

Although it has been closed every time I go to look at it, the National Bascilica is what you would expect as a large church in a large city. What you don't expect is the cobalt blue dome.

An important Marian shrine that took over a century to build to its present state, it receives millions of pilgrims from around the country and the world each year. It is located at 400 Michigan Avenue in northeastern Washington, DC on land donated by Catholic University of America. Construction continues today. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.

The architecture of the Bascilica is very different from the High Gothic of the National Cathedral. Check out the Gardens and GIft Shop as well.

A must for all Catholics, it has small Chapel coves within it like a Byzintine cove with golden icons. I recall that it had an excellent gift shop with a variety of rosaries and medals. I haven't been in six years and I think they've been doing some additional buildings. (Doesnt it kind of look like a mosque with a mineret?)

While visiting thr National Shrine you'll see many devotions to Mary, the mother of Jesus. My favorite is this chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Ireland. It is a calming and peaceful room, with Connemara marble walls.