Eliza_2

Today I went to the [|Notre-Dame Basilica] (or Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal) in the Canadian district of Montreal, in Quebec, Canada. The site originally housed the parish church of Notre-Dame, which was built in 1672, but as the religious congregation attending outgrew the small church, an Irish American James O’Donnell was commissioned to design the now standing building. He is the only person buried in the churches crypt. On its completion, the church was the largest in North America. We arrived at the church at 4pm, to get a bit of a look around before we saw the sound and light show “And then there was Light”, which details a bit more about the churches history. The entry fee was $4 which we paid at an old gothic style booth near the grand entrance to the basilica. The man who greeted us spoke with a heavily French accent, but was very friendly; he showed us into the main room and gave us a quick run-down on the basilica outlay. We were instructed to meet back where we were now in a half hours time, so we could have afternoon tea before entering the sound and light show. (At last a chance to sticky beak!!) I began my exploration by going up the grand staircase, trying not to walk in slow motion royalty style, as was tempting. Upon stepping foot on the [|second floor], there was an information plaque which told me that I was now entering the Chapelle du Sacre-Coeur (Chapel of the Sacred Heart), which was the most intimate chapel of the basilica. I learned that originally the chapel was built behind the actual basilica; however in 1978 a major arson fire destroyed the entire chapel. It was rebuilt on the first two floors of the main basilica from old drawings and photographs in the most realistic way feasible. Looking around I could feel the grandeur of the place, I had the feeling that this was a place where everyone would whisper (kind of like a library). Further through the basilica I came to a[|grand altar], which housed an immense bronze sculpture by Quebec sculptor Charles Daudelin. The entire room opened up very large and there was a few other people walking through (yes, they were whispering!). I had come to the staircase back down and could smell our afternoon tea getting ready. Jam and scones…yum! As our group gathered around we talked about the wonderful feeling of being in such a grand place. A lady from Wales said that she had an interest in ancient basilicas and had traveled across Europe and America studying them. She informed us that this church had not become an actual basilica, until it was raised to the status by Pope John Paul II on April 21, 1982. I found this really interesting, and we listened to a few other stories she had about the places she had visited. Upon entering the history show I felt like I was getting close to being an expert in all this basilica stuff….