Washington National Cathedral, Washington D.C. (must see)

The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington, commonly referred to as Washington National Cathedral, is a significant Episcopal Church cathedral in the United States. It holds the distinction of being the second-largest church building in the country and ranks as the third-tallest structure in Washington, D.C. The cathedral serves as the official seat for both the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Michael Bruce Curry, and the bishop of the Diocese of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde.

Construction of this cathedral began on September 29, 1907, in the presence of President Theodore Roosevelt. It features a blend of Gothic architectural styles from the Middle Ages, including pointed arches, flying buttresses, vaulted ceilings, stained-glass windows, intricate stone carvings, and three towers, two on the western facade and one at the center.

The cathedral is a long, narrow building with a nine-bay nave, spacious side aisles, a five-bay chancel, and a six-bay transept. It has the Gloria in Excelsis Tower, Washington's tallest point at 676 feet (206 meters) above sea level, with a Pilgrim Observation Gallery for panoramic city views. The central tower is unique in North America, housing two sets of bells rung by the Washington Ringing Society.

The majority of the cathedral's construction employs buff-colored Indiana limestone laid over a traditional masonry core. Structural steel is primarily utilized in the roof trusses (traditionally crafted from timber), with concrete playing a significant role in supporting the bells within the central tower and the flooring of the western towers.

The exterior of the cathedral is adorned with numerous grotesques and gargoyles, many of which were designed by the skilled carvers working on the project. One of the more famous carvings is a caricature of the then-master carver, Roger Morigi, located on the north exterior of the nave.

Washington National Cathedral is prominently located at the intersection of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues in the northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C. It holds a place of honor on the National Register of Historic Places and was ranked as the third-favorite piece of American architecture by the American Institute of Architects in 2007.

Why You Should Visit:
Plenty of objects of interest, including the pulpit where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his last Sunday sermon, the stained glass window with a piece of "moon rock" embedded into it, gorgeous old tapestries, flags from all 50 states, an amazing organ, gorgeous carved stonework and woodwork, multiple small elegant chapels, lower level crypts and chapels, and a 7th floor indoor observation level that gives stunning panoramic views of Washington, Maryland and Virginia.

Tip:
Bring either binoculars or a camera with a good zoom lens to really appreciate everything this place has to offer.
In good weather, there is a lovely Bishop's Garden, with rare plants and flowers and a lawn for children to frolic on.