Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral
| Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral | |
|---|---|
| File:Notre Dame de Quebec.png | |
| Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, Old Quebec | |
| Location | Old Quebec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Founded | 1647 (original), rebuilt multiple times |
| Status | Basilica-Cathedral, National Historic Site of Canada |
| Diocese | Archdiocese of Quebec |
| Archbishop | Gérald Lacroix |
| UNESCO | Part of Old Quebec World Heritage Site (1985) |
The Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral (French: Basilique-cathédrale Notre-Dame de Québec) is the primatial church of Canada and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec. Located in Old Quebec, it is the oldest parish in North America north of Mexico, originally established in 1647.
History
The first church on the site was built in 1647, soon after the founding of Quebec City. In 1664, it became the first parish north of Mexico, and by 1674 it was designated the cathedral of the newly created Diocese of Quebec.
The cathedral has been destroyed and rebuilt several times:
- Burned by the British bombardment during the Siege of Quebec (1759).
- Rebuilt in 1766, expanded in the 19th century.
- Designated a basilica in 1874 by Pope Pius IX.
- Restored after a major fire in 1922.
Architecture
The cathedral is designed in a neoclassical style with French colonial influences. Highlights include:
- A gilded baldachin over the main altar.
- Stained-glass windows depicting Canadian saints and history.
- A crypt containing the remains of 4 governors of New France and 20 bishops.
Religious Significance
Notre-Dame de Québec was the first Catholic cathedral north of Mexico and remains a spiritual heart of French-speaking Canada. In 2014, a Holy Door — one of only a handful in the world — was installed to mark the 350th anniversary of the parish.
Cultural Importance
The cathedral is both a religious and cultural landmark. It has hosted papal visits, including Pope John Paul II in 1984, and continues to attract pilgrims and tourists alike.
Present Day
Today, Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral is open daily for worship, guided tours, and cultural visits. It is one of the most visited sites in Old Quebec, alongside Château Frontenac and the Plains of Abraham.
See also
References
FAQs
Q: When was Notre-Dame de Québec founded? A: The parish was founded in 1647, making it the oldest north of Mexico.
Q: Has the cathedral ever been destroyed? A: Yes, it was destroyed by fire during the British siege in 1759 and again in 1922.
Q: What is the Holy Door? A: A special symbolic door installed in 2014, one of only a few in the world, opened during jubilee years.
Q: Who is buried in the crypt? A: Several bishops of Quebec and governors of New France.