The following is a list of basilicas (generally speaking a basilica is a large Church of special importance – prior to Christianity they were usually Roman civic buildings) recognized by the Roman Catholic Church.
Kindly click on the next page to continue with the list…….
Basilica of the Shrine of the Assumption
Baltimore, USA
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Full title: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or more simply, the Baltimore Basilica, was the first major Roman Catholic cathedral built in the United States. It was designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, who also was enlisted by Thomas Jefferson to design the Capitol Building. Construction began in 1806 and was completed in a relatively short period of 15 years in 1821. The Cathedral is a monumental neoclassical-style building designed in conformity to a Latin cross basilica plan — a departure on Latrobe’s part from previous American church architecture, but in keeping with longstanding European traditions of cathedral design. The plan unites two distinct elements: a longitudinal axis and a domed space.
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is a minor basilica built in the 1st or 2nd century AD and sits on the banks of the Ebro. It is dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar, the patron saint of Spain, who is said to have appeared to St. James in the 40 AD and gave him a small wooden statue and a column of jasper and instructed him to build a church in her honor. The statue atop the pillar is present in the church to this day. Amazingly, during the Spanish Civil War, three bombs were dropped on the church, none of which exploded. The architecture is of baroque style, and the present building was predominantly built between 1681 and 1872.
Notre Dame de Paris is the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Paris and is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world. It was one of the first constructed Gothic cathedrals and one of the first buildings to use flying buttresses for support. Construction began in 1160 on the Île de la Cité and was completed around 1345. The design also famously includes numerous gargoyles and grotesques incorporated into the rainwater gutter system as well as for ornamental purposes. The basilica was a target of vandalism throughout history, most recently during the Second World War and a restoration project is currently underway to restore the church to its highest degree of magnificence.
St Patrick’s Cathedral Melbourne, Australia
St. Patrick’s Cathedral of Melbourne is internationally known as a leading example of the Gothic Revival style of architecture and it the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Construction began in 1858 and, due to long and frequent economic delays, was not officially completed until 1939. The church is the tallest in Australia and was dedicated to St. Patrick as the Catholic community in Melbourne was almost entirely Irish when construction began.
St Mark’s Basilica Venice, ItalySt.
Mark’s Basilica is Venice’s most famous church and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture. Churches on the site date back to 828 but construction of the current building did not start until 1063 and was not consecrated until 1094, with constant additions throughout its history with an official completion date of 1617. It was presented as a status symbol of Venetian wealth and power and from the 11th century onwards, the building was known by the nickname Chiesa d’Oro (Church of gold).
Mark’s Basilica is Venice’s most famous church and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture. Churches on the site date back to 828 but construction of the current building did not start until 1063 and was not consecrated until 1094, with constant additions throughout its history with an official completion date of 1617. It was presented as a status symbol of Venetian wealth and power and from the 11th century onwards, the building was known by the nickname Chiesa d’Oro (Church of gold).
Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours Thrissur, India
The stunningly white Basilica of Our Lady of Delours is located in southern India and is the biggest in tallest church in Asia. The church began construction in 1929 and was consecrated in 1940, yet the tallest of the towers was not completed until 2007 and was dubbed the Bible Tower. The basilica was built in an Indo-Gothic style with three large towers, the tallest of which is 260 feet high. The red cross atop the Bible Tower is lit at night and can be seen from miles away. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of the Dolours in reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the seven sorrows of her life.
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