Saint Mary's Cathedral, Sydney (must see)

Saint Mary’s Cathedral is one of Sydney’s most distinguished architectural and cultural landmarks, situated on College Street beside Hyde Park. It serves as the principal church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney and occupies the site of the first Catholic chapel established in the colony in 1821. The present cathedral was designed by English-born architect William Wardell, who began work on it in 1868.

Constructed from warm Pyrmont sandstone, the building is an outstanding example of the Gothic Revival style, drawing inspiration from the great cathedrals of Europe while adapting to the Australian climate and light. Its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses give the structure both grace and strength, while the twin spires, completed in 2000, now stand as defining features of Sydney’s skyline.

The interior of Saint Mary’s is richly detailed, filled with colour and craftsmanship that reveal its long history. High stone columns rise toward a vaulted ceiling illuminated by shafts of filtered light from the stained-glass windows, many of which were created by renowned English and Australian artists.

The rose window above the western entrance casts intricate patterns across the nave, while the carved reredos, choir stalls, and marble altar demonstrate the precision and artistry of 19th-century ecclesiastical design. The cathedral’s proportions and acoustics give it an impressive sense of stillness, especially during organ recitals and choir performances that continue its long tradition of sacred music.

Below the main floor lies the crypt, a quiet chamber adorned with mosaic floors depicting Australian flora and fauna. It houses the tombs of Sydney’s early bishops and archbishops, including Cardinal Norman Gilroy, the first Australian-born cardinal.

The cathedral precinct extends into landscaped gardens and the open Cathedral Square, which connects the building visually to Hyde Park and provides a gathering space for services and civic events. Set beside open parkland and backed by the city’s towers, Saint Mary’s Cathedral remains a clear example of major 19th- and 20th-century church architecture and an important part of Sydney’s historical landscape.