National Shrine Basilica of the Assumption

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St. Mary's Basilica in Baltimore
Inside to the east
Look into the dome

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ( Baltimore Basilica , Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ) in Baltimore , Maryland , was the first after the adoption of the Constitution built cathedral in the United States . The neoclassical dome - basilica was built 1806-1821, designed by Benjamin Latrobe as bishop church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore . Since the completion of the current Cathedral of the Queen in 1959, it has been a co- cathedral . As early as 1937 it received the rank of minor basilica . On November 11, 1971, it was added to the list of National Historic Landmarks . 1993 declared Bishops Conference of the United States to the National Shrine ( national shrine ).

history

Founded by Baron Baltimore , Maryland was the only British colony in North America with a majority of Catholic settlers. Therefore, in 1784, the capital Baltimore became the seat of the Apostolic Administration for the United States, from which the Diocese of Baltimore - archdiocese since 1808 - emerged in 1789 . The design of the representative cathedral, which was also to mark the end of the Catholic repression that was in effect under British rule , was entrusted to the then leading US architect Benjamin Latrobe, who also directed the construction of the Capitol (since 1793).

The classicistic style, based on ancient Greece , was seen in the young USA as a symbol of turning away from the "dark" epochs of European history . It was also deliberately chosen for the first Roman Catholic cathedral.

Since its completion, the cathedral has been the scene of provincial and national synods of bishops with momentous decisions. In the 20th century it was u. a. Visited by Pope John Paul II , Mother Teresa and Patriarch Bartholomew I. From 2001 it was completely restored.

Architecture and equipment

The Baltimore co-cathedral is a three-aisled basilica with transept-like side portals. The crossing is vaulted by a wide, flat dome illuminated with indirect daylight, which gives the building aspects of a central structure . The end of the choir is formed by a round apse , the western end, in front of the two lantern-like bell towers on the corners of the nave , a large column portico .

The interior has largely corresponded to Latrobe's intentions since the last restoration. The wall surfaces and pillars are painted in white and light ocher . The vaults of the ceiling are adorned with light ornaments, cofferings and baroque paintings.

See also

Individual evidence

  1. a b c Brief History of the Basilica
  2. Listing of National Historic Landmarks by State: Maryland. National Park Service , accessed August 4, 2019.

Web links

Commons : National Shrine Basilica of the Assumption  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 39 ° 17 ′ 39.9 ″  N , 76 ° 36 ′ 58.2 ″  W.