St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne (must see)

Saint Patrick鈥檚 Cathedral is both one of Australia鈥檚 most impressive religious buildings and a leading example of Gothic Revival architecture. In 1848, the Augustinian friar James Goold was made Bishop of Melbourne and he sought lands for a Catholic cathedral in the city. After the Eastern Hill site was approved in 1851, William Wardell, one of Victoria鈥檚 best-known architects at the time, was chosen to design the church. Although grand plans for a Gothic Revival church were quickly put together, labor shortages due to the gold rush meant that construction did not begin until 1858.

The cathedral was finally consecrated in 1897 after the depression of the 1890s slowed down the final construction. Laid out on a Latin cross pattern, the cathedral is 103 meters high and the tallest religious building in Australia. The Catholic congregation of Melbourne was at the time mainly made up of Irish immigrants so it was decided to honor the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, in naming the cathedral. Saint Patrick opens from 9am to 5pm and volunteers will often guide you through the cathedral.

Why You Should Visit:
Saint Patrick鈥檚 Cathedral is one of the architectural glories and an integral part of Melbourne.

Tip:
Be aware of services that may be running. Outside service times you can spend time wandering around and taking photos.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Melbourne. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: St. Patrick's Cathedral
Sight Location: Melbourne, Australia (See walking tours in Melbourne)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Melbourne Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Melbourne, Australia

Create Your Own Walk in Melbourne

Creating your own self-guided walk in Melbourne is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

St. Kilda District Walking Tour

A cosmopolitan seaside suburb of Melbourne overlooking Port Phillip Bay, Saint Kilda District is a charming and culturally rich neighborhood graced with a blend of historical landmarks and contemporary attractions.

One of its prominent sites is the Saint Kilda Town Hall, an imposing municipal building that serves as a hub for various community events and gatherings.

Eildon Mansion, another... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

Melbourne Food Tour

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Indeed, the local food scene caters to a wide... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles

Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Melbourne's architecture is a rich cocktail of styles ranging from those practiced in the early years of European settlement of Australia to the more modern ones. Among the historical buildings particularly noticeable here are those from the Victorian era, forming an essential part of the city's heritage.

The Old Melbourne Gaol once served as a prison, from 1842 to 1929, and is... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

Melbourne Introduction Walking Tour

Melbourne is the capital and largest city in the Australian state of Victoria. The metro area consists of 31 different towns spread around the bay of Port Philip. Indigenous Australians have lived here for more than 40,000 years. European settlement began in the 1830s when settlers arrived from Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). The settlement, incorporated in 1837, was named for the British Prime... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

Laneways and Arcades Walking Tour

With over 40 laneways and arcades found in Melbourne, one can easily traverse a good part of the city's Central Business District through them, without even setting foot on a street. Many of these laneways date back to the Victorian era and are packed to the brim with all sorts of retail establishments and eateries 鈥� each with its own distinctive character and charm.

One of the most... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

Chocolate Indulgence Tour of Melbourne

Melbourne has a reputation for caf茅s and fine restaurants, and lately a chocolate fever has taken over the city. This tour takes you through the alleyways and arcades of the city center whilst stopping at selected chocolate indulgence points. Take your senses on a unique experience through six of...

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