Above it All - Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece.

Duration

2 hours

About

Perched on a hill overlooking the city it is the second largest cathedral in the country and the 6th largest in the world. It is a living work of art filled with stained-glass, hand-carved wood, and wrought iron. While a modern structure (finished in 1990) it is constructed in the old-world way and has no structural steel.

While massive, Washington National Cathedral can be a hidden to many visitors to Washington. Which is unfortunate because it is truly mind-boggling in its size and beauty. Huge stained-glass windows fill this space with colored light that changes as the sun moves across the sky. Come in late afternoon as organ practice fills the nave with sound perfect for the surroundings. This is a place where the nation gathers to celebrate inaugurations and mourn at state funerals. It is where Martin Luther King preached his last Sunday sermon from the Canterbury pulpit before his assassination. It’s a whimsical place with a Darth Vader gargoyle, a giant Lego replica that’s under construction, and hidden humorous pieces of stained glass, wrought iron, and carved stone. But you’ll only see them if someone helps you find them!