Ornate religious complex featuring intricate mosaics, soaring domes, and chapels dedicated to the Virgin Mary from cultures around the world.

How to Get There

From central Washington, DC, take Michigan Avenue NE eastbound and follow signs to the Basilica located near Catholic University.

Overview

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception stands as the largest Roman Catholic church in North America and one of the ten largest in the world. With its neo-Byzantine architecture, the Basilica features over 80 chapels and oratories, each honoring the Virgin Mary through the lens of different cultures and traditions. Its massive central dome, intricate mosaics, and marble-clad interiors create a space that is both spiritually uplifting and artistically magnificent. Visitors can explore the Upper Church, the Crypt Church, and a museum that houses papal artifacts, including a golden rose gifted by Pope Benedict XVI.

Construction of the Basilica began in 1920 and was completed in 1959, with ongoing enhancements continuing to this day. It serves as a national sanctuary of prayer and pilgrimage, welcoming nearly one million visitors annually. The Basilica offers daily Masses, Confessions, and guided tours, and hosts special events such as organ concerts during the summer. Whether you're drawn by faith, architecture, or history, the Basilica offers a profound experience of sacred art and devotion in the heart of the nation's capital.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.