In July, when my kids visited Washington DC, they found many places closed due to the Independence Day holiday. One of the places that was on their list that was open for self tours was the National Cathedral.
Washington National Cathedral is the 2nd largest Cathedral in the US. St John the Divine Cathedral, also an Episcopal church, in New York City is bigger and it is the largest Cathedral in world.
The Washington National Cathedral is a house of prayer for everyone, and is used for national purposes when the country gathers during moments of national significance. The state funerals of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford took place at the Cathedral, along with memorial services for seven other presidents.
Prayer services are held there when a new president is inaugurated.
Builders and stonemasons began the construction of the Cathedral in 1907 and it was completed 83 years later in 1990.
I was there in the 80s before it had been completed and I remember pallets of construction material and large equipment parked around the grounds.
The $65 million cathedral was built from money raised through private donations
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Washington on Aug. 23, 2011 causing more than $34 million in damage. Funds are still being raised to complete all the repairs.
About 200 people have been interred in the crypts under the cathedral, including President Woodrow Wilson, and the ashes of Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan.
The 'Space Window'. in the Cathedral
has a 3 billion year-old moon rock from the Sea of Tranquility embedded in it that was brought back to earth by the Apolo 11 mission.
Darth Vader is one of the 'grotesques' high up on the exterior of the Cathedral. Although there are photos and info about him online, I don't have any photos to share here, but knowing that he is up there gives the cathedral a particularly American feel for me!
All photos are from our family photo albums and facts were learned from the self guided tour brochure'
The colorful windows are really beutiful. Some of the interior of the cathedral reminds me of the Harry Potter film series. I know that it was filmed in England and in Scotland, but some parts are very similar.
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What a beautiful building! I love the space window and Darth. The first fews shots do a good job capturing the grandeur and scale of the cathedral. I think the last time I was in DC was in the 80s also 😊 My kids went on field trips more recently and my wife went with them. I should have taken the opportunity.
Washington National Cathedral is really so amazing. I am truly amazed of its interior and exterior design. The bright colors of tge windows also struck my eyes and I felt I am in your place as I saw the great shots and the breathtaking place outside with lots of beautiful flowers. Have a nice day my friend melinda, and take care.
is a majestic place. I love the stained glass windows.
Beautiful! The elegant design is just a perfection. Wiah I could visit that Cathedral Someday ☺️😊
Wow, thank you for the tour and the history about the church.
It is massive and so beautiful!
The Space Window... wow!
!LADY 😍 🌺🤙
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Wow! Absolutely beautiful!
Wow! I had no idea we had such a lovely piece of church architecture in the US! (I don't get out much; could be the reason I didn't know, lol!). I've always wanted to go see the cathedrals in Europe, but now think I will start here first. Thanks for sharing and have a lovely week! !LADY
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If you have never been to DC it is SO worth a visit! It is very tourist oriented and easy to get around. Most of the sites and museums are free. Everyone should visit our nation's capital!
!LADY
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Someday, I would like to. Thanks for sharing it! Take care!💜🤗
The stained glass windows must have been a sight to see in person. They're gorgeous.
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Cool Cathedral, big, impressive. But in Italy there are very grandiose cathedrals, just fire!
Notre Dame in Paris was gorgeous, and I have not spent much time in Italy. St Paul's in London is beautiful.
St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow is probably my favorite, though.
As soon as everything calms down, then come and see him. And we will make an arrow there for the meeting.
Of course he's great. But this is a slightly different architecture. I'm talking about Catholic cathedrals.
You have no idea how much I would love that! I was last in Russia in 1995....it was a different world then.
The Cathedral is very beautiful. It is a work of art. Thanks for sharing
If the walls could talk i think the most amazing stories would be toiled. I love the coloured glass, and the building as a whole looks like the ons in italy