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Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
Opened in 1864, the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter of Paul serves as the principal or Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, as it houses the chair or “cathedra” of the Archbishop.
The largest Catholic church in Pennsylvania, the Basilica was modeled after the Lombard Church of St. Charles in Rome and is the only cathedral in the United States built in the Roman-Corinthian architectural style.
With its massive stone columns and highly recognizable great dome, the Basilica is Philadelphia’s largest brownstone structure.
The building was designed by Philadelphia architect Napoleon LeBrun, whose notable work includes the Philadelphia Academy of Music, and John Notman, who also designed St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.
The Basilica is the largest Catholic church in Pennsylvania.
Throughout the interior of the great dome of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul are paintings by Constantino Brumidi, famed painter of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.
Inside the sacred structure, visitors will discover various shrines, altars, statues and art. For additional information, look for the helpful Cathedral Ambassadors.
Take a free, 20-minute audio tour of the Basilica, or grab a brochure for a self-guided tour. Guided tours are also available every Sunday after the 11 a.m. Mass.
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.