St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne (must see)

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is both one of Australia’s 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’s 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’s 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.