Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Atlanta

Formerly called the Sacred Heart Church, this basilica was founded in 1880 and its current building, completed in 1898, was designed by renowned architect, W. T. Downing, in the French Romanesque style. The church is known for its striking exterior, which features two spires and is painted in international orange, the same color as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Also visible in the exterior are the repeated rounded arches, a quintessential feature of Romanesque style. The same pattern of arches continues throughout the interior, creating a seamless and harmonious design.

The creative drive of architect Downing can be seen in the unique use of pressed brick and terra cotta for the exterior, deviating from the usual rock masonry. The twin octagonal towers, which stand tall at 137 feet above street level, were once the highest points of the Peachtree neighborhood. A rose window, emblazoned with the emblem of the Sacred Heart, lies between the two towers atop a pediment. As the setting sun's rays shine through the rose window, the interior of the church radiates with a kaleidoscope of colors, a sight to behold.