Washington’s Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, owned by the Anglican Church, is what Americans call the National House of Prayer. This magnificent example of Neo-Gothic architecture is located on the highest hill of the capital; its construction began in 1907 and was completed 83 years later, at the end of the century. And they tried to use the relevant medieval technology, so from afar the structure looks the same age as Notre Dame. And only the modern themes of stained glass and gargoyles give away its true age.
What to see
All the exterior walls are decorated with carvings and sculpture. Beneath the roof of the central tower are 10 bells and a carillon which chimes the time. There is a spiral staircase with 333 stairs and no elevator, but it is well worth the climb as you can see all of Washington from up here.
A semi-circular bas-relief above the entrance portal depicts the creation of the world. At the bottom is Adam, his eyes closed, his body still partially in stone; to the left are allegorical figures of Day, to the right, of Night.
St. Peter at the foot of the north tower looks like a simple stern fisherman with a net on his shoulder, St. Paul is depicted at the moment of meeting Christ, his face frozen in amazement and delight. In the center of the facade shines the rose window; in the middle is the Savior in the hand of God the Father; out to the sides come the rays with the images of the apostles and evangelists.
Among the 112 monster gargoyles covering the gutters is the head of Darth Vader; it was put there after the results of a children’s drawing contest on the theme “The Baddest Villain”.
The interior of the cathedral is opulent, and the stained-glass windows catch the eye immediately. One of them depicts Jesus in the Last Judgment, with Hell opened beneath his feet and the heavens above his head. The theme of the glass mosaic in the second window is the landing on the moon. Along the walls are statues of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, and Martin Luther King. Services are accompanied by the music of a magnificent organ.
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prices for guided tours are 12 USD for adults, 8 USD for seniors, students and schoolchildren, free for children under 5 years old. Prices on the page are for July 2021.