Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is, without a doubt, one of the crown jewels of Washington, D.C. Way better than the National Cathedral. For me, it stands offering a spiritual and architectural experience like no other. The sheer scale of the basilica is breathtaking, with its grand domes, intricate mosaics, and stunning chapels that celebrate the rich diversity of Catholic Marian traditions from around the world. Each chapel is a work of art, with every corner revealing something new and awe-inspiring, from the vibrant colors of the mosaics to the serene beauty of the statues and altars. The basilica’s peaceful atmosphere provides a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, allowing for quiet reflection and a deep sense of reverence. Especially, the chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe highlights the rich diversity of the Americas with the delicate words Our Lady spoke to Juan Diego, when she appeared in Mexico City in 1531. The attention to detail in every aspect of the basilica’s design is truly impressive, making it not just a place of worship but also a celebration of art, culture, and faith. Whether you are religious or simply appreciate magnificent architecture, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a must-visit. It is a place that leaves a lasting impression, and I consider it the best attraction in D.C.

I'm so glad we stopped here on our way out of DC. It was absolutely stunning. We attended the afternoon mass. The choir and organ were just fantastic. It was breathtaking. I could have sat for hours just looking at all the beauty. Would love to come back and take a tour one day.

Mother Mary around the 🌎 in Washington DC. Come and see the goodness of the Lord, but come with Time!!! It is the largest Catholic church building in North America and is also the tallest habitable building in Washington, D.C. Trust me you will find your prayer chapel in adoration to the Blessed Mother. The presence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is ominous inside and outside. Plenty of parking. Café and gift shop on premises. Until next time…God bless💕. P.S. Sunday Masses Morning: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. Afternoon: 12:00 noon, 2:30 p.m. (en español), and 4:30 p.m Daily Masses (Monday-Saturday) Morning: 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. Afternoon: 12:10 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. Vigil Mass (Saturday): 4:30 p.m.

The beautiful national shrine of the immaculate conception. Huge church above, amazing church below with many artistic alcoves. We wandered for 30 minutes in the lower 'crypt' church with all there was to see. The musicians at Mass were very highly trained.

I came here with my daughters safety patrol trip so there where a lot of us but the Basilica is very big. The stained glass windows let enough light in to see the artwork on the walls. It’s a very amazing place to see

This basilica is immense! You can spend hours walking, praying, meditating, shopping and it even has a cafeteria. What a beautiful place to be!

Its is amazing basilica which have to visit once in life time, its give us the peaceful mind, we can see the different faces of birgin mother mary all from the different nations.

We attended this Basilica on our youth vocational pilgrimage this summer 2024. On our way to Brooklyn for our 50th anniversary of the Neocatechumenal Way in the United States Eucharist. This was a breathtaking place. We had the graces to do morning prayer here, which was a memorial for our youth and myself. Definitely carve out the time to be present for a while. It's time to be in prayer to take in all the amazing beauty that there is to see the presence of our blessed mother but, more importantly, the presence of God in the beauty that surrounds you. We will definitely return. Iralis ❤️

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is, without a doubt, one of the crown jewels of Washington, D.C. Way better than the National Cathedral. For me, it stands offering a spiritual and architectural experience like no other. The sheer scale of the basilica is breathtaking, with its grand domes, intricate mosaics, and stunning chapels that celebrate the rich diversity of Catholic Marian traditions from around the world. Each chapel is a work of art, with every corner revealing something new and awe-inspiring, from the vibrant colors of the mosaics to the serene beauty of the statues and altars. The basilica’s peaceful atmosphere provides a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, allowing for quiet reflection and a deep sense of reverence. Especially, the chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe highlights the rich diversity of the Americas with the delicate words Our Lady spoke to Juan Diego, when she appeared in Mexico City in 1531. The attention to detail in every aspect of the basilica’s design is truly impressive, making it not just a place of worship but also a celebration of art, culture, and faith. Whether you are religious or simply appreciate magnificent architecture, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a must-visit. It is a place that leaves a lasting impression, and I consider it the best attraction in D.C.

I'm so glad we stopped here on our way out of DC. It was absolutely stunning. We attended the afternoon mass. The choir and organ were just fantastic. It was breathtaking. I could have sat for hours just looking at all the beauty. Would love to come back and take a tour one day.

Mother Mary around the 🌎 in Washington DC. Come and see the goodness of the Lord, but come with Time!!! It is the largest Catholic church building in North America and is also the tallest habitable building in Washington, D.C. Trust me you will find your prayer chapel in adoration to the Blessed Mother. The presence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is ominous inside and outside. Plenty of parking. Café and gift shop on premises. Until next time…God bless💕. P.S. Sunday Masses Morning: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. Afternoon: 12:00 noon, 2:30 p.m. (en español), and 4:30 p.m Daily Masses (Monday-Saturday) Morning: 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. Afternoon: 12:10 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. Vigil Mass (Saturday): 4:30 p.m.

The beautiful national shrine of the immaculate conception. Huge church above, amazing church below with many artistic alcoves. We wandered for 30 minutes in the lower 'crypt' church with all there was to see. The musicians at Mass were very highly trained.

I came here with my daughters safety patrol trip so there where a lot of us but the Basilica is very big. The stained glass windows let enough light in to see the artwork on the walls. It’s a very amazing place to see

This basilica is immense! You can spend hours walking, praying, meditating, shopping and it even has a cafeteria. What a beautiful place to be!

Its is amazing basilica which have to visit once in life time, its give us the peaceful mind, we can see the different faces of birgin mother mary all from the different nations.

We attended this Basilica on our youth vocational pilgrimage this summer 2024. On our way to Brooklyn for our 50th anniversary of the Neocatechumenal Way in the United States Eucharist. This was a breathtaking place. We had the graces to do morning prayer here, which was a memorial for our youth and myself. Definitely carve out the time to be present for a while. It's time to be in prayer to take in all the amazing beauty that there is to see the presence of our blessed mother but, more importantly, the presence of God in the beauty that surrounds you. We will definitely return. Iralis ❤️

There are so many items in this gift shop it's amazing! You can find almost anything religious here. The cafeteria is open on the weekends.

Absolute gem in Washington DC. The basilica itself is breathtaking. Daily mass is held several times a day along with daily confession and recitation of the rosary (check website for updated times). Currently cafeteria is only open weekends but there are a couple options located near Metro. I'd time permits, make it a day trip. So much to see and do.

Our last trip to Alexandria Virginia included a tour of the National Basilica and what a spectacular building! We were greeted at entry by Catherine and Maria who were a joy and pleasure to chat with prior to the start of the tour. Catherine led our tour starting with the Crypt Level followed by the Upper Church Level. There are 80 chapels ( Not all covered by the tour) each with unique features, paintings and sculptures. Amazing! This is a must see then in the Alexandria, Va/Washington DC area. Plenty of parking, close to major highways and so much to take in. We look forward to a return visit!

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land of America is a wonderful place to visit. It is run by the Franciscan priests. It is has superb replicas of shrines in Israel, catacombs in Rome, an archive, a library, and a beautiful garden. For Catholics, daily Mass is celebrated with confessions heard every hour on the hour. It is located at 24th and Quincy Streets in DC.

An absolute must-see for anyone in the area. I went here for Easter mass, which was nothing short of divine. The architecture alone is worth visiting, even if you aren't Catholic.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, nestled in the capital of the United States, is a testament to the enduring faith of millions. Its intricate architecture, adorned with stunning mosaics and towering spires, beckons believers and tourists alike to witness its splendor. As a cherished landmark, it serves as both a place of worship and a cultural icon, embodying the timeless values of Catholicism in a modern world.

This Shrine is a must visit when in Washington DC. It was so beautiful, peaceful and serene here that I was overcome with emotion. I took my time perusing everything, prayed and even lighted several candles (a small donation for each) to remember my angel loved ones as well. Such a exquisite place.

The largest Catholic church in the Western Hemisphere. I frequent this church driving over from Baltimore and its always worth the drive. Must-visit even just to be in awe of the architecture.

Definitely one of the must see sights in DC! Truly awe inspiring when you walk in. Words really can't describe how amazing this building is. Everything is just so ornate and it makes you really appreciate how much time and effort it takes to build and maintain this church. On top of being an amazing architectural work, this place just gives you that feeling of serenity and peace. Even if you aren't religious, I think walking in and just sitting in the pews will still move you on an emotional state in some ways. Really fantastic place to come visit :)

This is one of the most beautiful and expansive churches in the country. Catholic or not (we aren't) a visitor can't help but be drawn in to the beauty of variety of the many chapels and mosaics designed by and dedicated to people around the world. I highly recommend reserving a spot on a tour. It takes about an hour, and there is a lot that can be overlooked if not focused upon. There was a snack bar, which was closed, and a gift shop, which has a lot of kitch mixed in with the more religious mementos. Skip these if you like, and spend your time in the sanctuary and downstairs among the chapels. It's an hour well spent in appreciation of great religious art.

I'm not a Catholic myself but I attended a mass with my boyfriend and we walked around afterwards. It was truly a gorgeous building and I could see so much detail & attention made to the architecture. Very beautiful place.

Midnight mass on Christmas Eve was absolutely amazing. We arrived early to listen to the lovely choir performance songs prior to the mass. The staff was coordinated and helpful ensuring everyone was seated and had a program for the mass. It was an honor to attend a mass presided by the nuncio of the U.S. Attending mass at the Basilica makes you feel like you're at a traditional church and I absolutely loved the feeling. I wish I didn't live so far so I can attend weekly mass in person. Perhaps I'll make a monthly appearance. If you're not catholic and interested in learning about what the shrine entails, check out the tour to learn more. Even if it's to see the beautiful statues, marble pillars, floors; it's a visit worth making to take a moment to sit in the pews and reflect on yourself.

Gorgeous both outside and inside if you're into gold opulence because there's a lot of that here... Note that the attitudes among the guards vary from friendly to down-right rude. Also don't go during a mass, otherwise they'll prohibit (i.e. yell) you from checking out the upper church (unless you are attending mass).

Absolutely the most beautiful church I have ever seen. You have to really explore this place to truly appreciate it. Definitely go downstairs to the crypt church during your visit. A must see!

I will definitely go back to this church the next time I visit DC. This church actually made me want to go to church regularly and that's saying a lot! Every corner of this church is exceptionally beautiful. I cannot even fathom how much time and effort has been put into the church to keep it so well maintained and pristine. I mean...I guess that's the expectation for a church but my gosh this church is spectacular. There were many audible gasps from both myself and my sister as we navigated the halls of the church and then all of the shrines downstairs really had me set beside myself. I could honestly see myself coming here just to sit to have a bit of peace even if I don't know any of the prayers that you're supposed to pray at the shrines. It's just a place of peace...like a church should be in my opinion. If you are upstairs, please be sure to look up at the ceiling. It's beyond amazing. You really have to take your time in this church because there is so much to look at and there are so many small details that you can overlook if you're rushing or short on time. If you just want to go somewhere to get your thoughts together, even if you're not religious, just go here. Trust me...you will NOT regret it.

Absolutely beautiful place to visit. Out free tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and excellent. I'm not Catholic, my wife is. She was blown away by the scope of this Shrine. It's awe inspiring.

One of the most beautiful churches in America, they have a book store and gift shop available as well as several smaller chapels built inside the church...daily confessions are available....Just amazing

First time visiting and I love it! I would be bringing friends and family from on when they visit me here in Virginia. Also, check out the gift shop. Lots of stuff to choose from for yourself or as a gift to love ones. Just don't forget to have it blessed by your priest before giving it away.

One good place to have peace and quite. A place to get away from everything. Silence is key!!!! I must say, sitting inside the Crypt Church for a few minutes kinda resets your RAM! :-)))))

I visited here on a Saturday morning and it was a great visit! This is a great basilica to show off to your out of town guests! My suggestion is to start in the crypt and make your way up to the big church. Parking was plentiful since it was an off peak time that I visited. There is a cafeteria available if you get hungry and a few gift shops for all of your religious item needs! Pro tip: Dress warm if you're visiting in the colder months as most areas were cold when I was there.

I am going to break the cycle and not give this place 5 stars. It's obviously 5 stars for a Catholic church but not 5 stars overall in the grand scheme of writing Yelp reviews. I know, I know, people love to hate on my system! I don't remember that last time I've reviewed a church. Basically, this church is super large and beautiful and a great place to catch mass. How can you not stop and take a bunch of photos of all the elaborate art and Jesus doing the field goal hand signal. Anyway, Basilica Of The National Shrine Of The Immaculate Conception is an extremely beautiful church that sits in Washington, D.C. Did you know it's the largest Catholic church in the US and was only completed in December 2017 (they initially broke ground September 1920). For more interesting facts, visit the wikipedia page! Of note, you can't get your child baptized or get married here because it is not a parish church.

Beautiful basilica even if you're not Catholic it's worth seeing.. rivals many Mexican and European cathedrals and basilicas.. beauty everywhere

Beautiful church! Free to go into to tour. They have guided tours or you can walk around by yourself. They were decorated for Christmas with trees. Loved the stained glass. Parking was very easy in the lot.

I decided to pen this review of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception today because I was taken aback by the images of the burning Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. I appreciate beautiful churches and they are consecrated by all the prayers, tears, joys, and sorrow experienced by the faithful in the pews. Whenever reviewing a holy place one must be careful. The thought crossed my mind, will I be relegated to the seventh level of hell if my review of this most holy of sites in D.C. is not five star? I doubt that the Holy Pontiff would care too much about a Yelp review. However, this good Catholic needs all the help I can get in matters of eternal salvation, so I will just be truthful. One of my earliest memories was as a young boy being carried by my mother on her hip as she graduated from Catholic University at the Shrine (now a Basilica). I attend Mass here many times a year and I consider this my second church home. The services in the Crypt Church in the basement are much more intimate than Mass in the main sanctuary. The art work and architecture are very diverse in terms of artist and mediums. The marble carvings are among my favorites. There are so many little nooks where you can retreat to your own solitude. When the bells of the Guard's Tower carillon (the structure that looks like the Washington Monument) it is celestial music indeed. The area within which the Basilica is located is the most Catholic area of the United States right on the campus of Catholic University of America and numerous Catholic institutions like the U.S. Conference of Bishops. All are welcome here. Attend Mass. Visit the wonderful gift shop. Enjoy a meal or snack in the full service cafeteria. The art and music are forms of worship by talented artists. This is among the most recognizable structures in the city and no image of D.C.'s low skyline would be complete without The Basilica is large but I always feel close to my fellow humans and closer to God when I am here. Pure peace!!!

A beautiful Cathedral. I love cathedrals, and I remember the Nine Catholic priests who bravely said no to Lefbreve, as described by great Catholic priest Father Anthony Cekada who has passed on. I was baptized in this great city and hope to see Father Cekada, Bishop Daniel Dolan and Father Collins canonized when we get a true pope. The 9 cover all four major Catholic groups: SGH.ORG, Most Holy Trinity Seminary, CMRI, SSPV. Sorry, SGG.ORG. Peace. Pray Rosary daily and wear Brown Scapular. Extra Ecclesium Nulla Salus

I have visited the Basilica probably over ten times now in the two years I've been in DC and it amazes me everytime. Each visit feels like I'm seeing everything for the first time and I'm pretty sure there are parts of it I'm yet to discover. It's not a place to go for quiet time because; tourists but you will definitely feel moved as a Catholic most especially. I make it a point to take anyone who comes to visit here and just let them marvel. Oh and the cafeteria food has never failed me either. So good!

Lovely church and lovely employees. The crypt church was nice to walk through and the murals and stained glass in the main church were beautiful. The church gift shop has the "Little Saints" keychains which I love. Really enjoyed spending the afternoon there.

My family felt quite blessed to have celebrated Easter 2016 here. If art and architecture is your thing then you definitely want to add this to your list of "to-see's" while in DC. Even if you're not Catholic or religious period, you can't help but be awestruck by the different works here. Whether it's color, detail, or sheer size you'll find your jaw dropping. As a Catholic I felt completely humbled and inspired to be in a shrine dedicated to such a revered figure in my faith. To see works from around the world paying respect to Mother Mary only strengthens my faith knowing that she has touched so many through out the world for generations helping bring them closer to God.

I attended an event for a little over an hour with several attendees. Parking (free) is available in a big lot across from the entrance and there is also street parking on Harewood (3 hour parking Mon-Fri) between 7am to 6:30pm. Love the architecture in this place - it is amazing. As I was leaving the building (still on the inside), it was interesting to see so many mini rooms on the side for folks to pray...pretty cool. The event I attended was done in both English and Spanish and they also had someone sign for a few of the participants. Amazing!

If you are planning a visit to the Cathedral, only the book store and gift shop are open. You can say a prayer in the crypt church but the main church is closed outside of mass time. You cannot stop and look at anything on the way to the crypt church and they also are not allowing any photos. They have many staff telling you to keep moving. COVID =1, Church=0. So maybe think twice if you want to visit. Sad to think that these COVID precautions are so restrictive to houses of worship versus other places like stores, shopping malls, ugggh.

A little suspicious that lower level work done at this church is only done by black people. Every one else is white. Also. If you show up just a minute after they close doors they refuse entry. Even with a ticket that must be purchased in advance. Me and my pregnant wife were denied entry. The reason is because it looks bad in the streaming. Lol. No wonder they are losing membership. Never again.

This Basilica is a must see for all devout Christians or non-Christians as well because it is so gorgeous! It's awe inspiring in all its Holy and Godly creations from which I'm sure was graced by God and through the talented hands of artists who painted, sculpted and built it. Just the sheer magnitude of the basilica from the outside, our entire family was already very awestruck! But then you enter the inside and again it takes your breath away! We not only toured this basilica one day but 2 days. We came back for a mass there and toured the underground level as well. As a Christian you will feel so very much a sense of holiness and God filling your soul with closeness to him. This church just command a sense of reverence and admiration from anyone entering it. Every inch and corner from the floor to the ceiling and on the walls has significance and beauty. Looking up at the ceiling you will be spellbound! Trust me and put this on your must see list of your DC trip.

It is the Basilica! How can it not warrant 5 stars? I love coming here and there's an awesome bookstore/gift store and a cafeteria. All are welcome but please, I implore you, remember that this is a place of worship so act and dress accordingly.

I was absolutely blown away at how beautiful this place is! We took the train and walked the few blocks to the location. The gift shop had so many awesome gifts, rosaries, statues, etc. I bought a rose petal rosary that is beyond beautiful and smells fantastic! Before we went I to the crypt to walk around, the workers gave my nieces and nephews rosaries blessed by the priest which was really sweet. The kids were happy. It's neat to see the names and dates as you walk around. There are numerous amounts of rooms/shrines with statues and areas to pray. They also have candles that you can light for $5. The church on the crypt level was dome like with the most beautiful design. When we went there were nuns singing, and it was pure heavenly sounds. I was blown away. We then made our way to the top floor where the church is and again, I was blown away at how beautiful the mosaics were.

All I can say is, WOW! I grew up in D.C. and I visit my family a few times/year, but this was the first time I'd ever visited the basilica. I'm not at *all* religious and I'm not Catholic - but if you love art & architecture, you *must* go there (allow plenty of time, too; it's *huge*). The Upper Church has the more exquisite things (the gorgeous ceilings alone are awe-inspiring), but be sure you also visit the lower level; it has lots of lovely statuary, for example. The exterior is also really beautiful. This truly rivals almost anything I've seen in Europe! (Note that photos aren't permitted to be taken during mass, and mass occurs several times/day - so I advise looking at the web site for mass times).

Love love love this church and all the architecture!!! I went to Sunday mass at 7:30am in the crypt it was nothing like I've seen before in the United States. Mass started promptly on time. There was quite a handful of people for such an early Mass. The quickest way to get to the crypt is to park on the side and enter through the side doors, instead of going up the stairs there is a door around the left side before you start to go up and it will take you directly to the crypt. Without having to get confused inside. After service I went to the gift shop which was down the hall and around the corner. They also have a cafe that was open too after service. They have signs leading you toward the main chapel so you won't get lost but I did not notice signs leading you toward the bathroom luckily I asked a person and found them. Parking is easy to find for early morning mass I couldn't say the same for later in the day. Haha.

I Don't appreciate being called a stupid motherfucker by your parking attendance staff. As we exited your lower parking lot at the bottom we are driving a low floor double Decker bus and when I noticed the huge drop off as you exit your driveway I had to stop for a minute and raise my bus up an extra 6 inches to be able to exit your driveway and while I was waiting on my bus to raise up I had someone get out and go grab something out of the back but while I was waiting your parking staff went totally apeshit on me with a load of Catholic church people on my bus they were ranting and raving like wild people on drugs. Coming up to the bus like they were wanting to fight us and yelling and screaming at us with a bus load of people and there was nothing I could do it the second because I could not risk the bus getting hung up as we exited the driveway and then with the door open in front of all of my passengers he has to call me a stupid motherfucker absolutely inappropriate I could not believe my ears nor could father Tim and his passengers that was on my bus. These two parking lot attendance should totally be fired the most cruel that I have ever been treated by anybody especially at a huge Catholic shrine they don't ask questions or try to figure out why I was waiting to exit the parking lot they just assume that I should get the hell out of the way immediately even though I wasn't blocking anybody there was nobody behind me and there was nobody even trying to get into the driveway I was off to the side but as soon as I noticed the huge dip in the road I had to raise my bus up or else it would not exit and it will leave some nasty scratches on the driveway but of course they don't notice anything like that it's just being mean like zero to calling me a motherfucker within 20 seconds.I think these guys need to be drug tested because generally drugs make people be this mean and especially in front of church people so anyway I've been to this place before and I have never been treated like this so I think you need to give your parking lot staff some reprimand or fire there butts. They were both into it together working off of each other. If you need the peoples phone numbers that were on my bus just let me know if you need confirmation on this it was horrible all of my FSU students that go to the Catholic Church absolutely could not believe their ears. Good luck guys get Some more courteous parking lot attendant staff.

This spiritual and beautiful Shrine is one of the coolest Cathoilc places to go. Such a great place for reflection and prayer with a huge gift shop as you walk in & a cafeteria. I would totally recommend this spot for deep personal reflection & thinking.

Visited and went on a Sunday 12pm mass. Such and amazing place of worship. Definitely a place to see if you're in the area.

So the joke starts, you and Newt Gingrich are sitting in the same pew....... I'm not sure what the punch line to the joke is, but you know you are in DC when you're sitting next to Newt at church. The Basilica is amazing. There is so much to see, I will definitely have to come back every time I'm in DC. The mosaics are insane, it's almost like every thing you look at is a snapshot of perfection. The choral mass is awesome, every Sunday at noon. The crypt chapel is beautiful, and I love that there is a cafeteria in the basement.

This church is beautiful and the inside is even more stunning! A must see if you're in the DC area. You really don't have to be Catholic to enjoy and admire its beauty. They have free tours everyday that you can take or you can go own your own. There is so much to see that it's easy to lose track of time here. If you get hungry go to cafeteria for some decent and cheap eats. Don't forget to check out the gift shop for some Rose scented rosewood rosaries! It's about a 5-10 minute walk from the red line Brookland station but they do have a parking lot as well.

I have been coming to the Basilica for years and it is truly a little piece of heaven in the district. Monsignor Rossi and the Shrine staff are always so kind and helpful and that goes as well for the Gift Store and Book Store staff. (Thank you, Amy!) If you are ever in need of Catholic gifts, cards, icons, etc. the gift store and book store are loaded with items in a variety of prices. The Crypt Church, to me, is just as beautiful as the Great Upper Church and the side chapels are such a source of beauty and peace. Parking is never an issue since they have the large lot and you can also find street parking or in the side parking by CUA. Confessions in the lower Church never have a long wait and the priests there have been nothing but kind. I feel so lucky to have the Basilica so close to where we live!

I have so many good memories here. We always try to stop by for a peaceful moment and enjoy the beautiful masterpieces held within. You can easily spend hours here going from chapel to chapel. Each are unique and are inspired from various countries from around the world. Free parking!!

Really beautiful basilica to visit, although it may be a little confusing when you see some of the arts and stories in the church but it may be that I am not well educated when it comes to bible. Overall a quite religious place which will give you peace even if you are not Christian. The underground and the main floors are the ones open to visitors, there was a program going on in the underground but maybe it was because of Easter fast. Beautiful and well maintained basilica with very friendly staff.

A few years ago I was lucky enough to take a trip to Italy and visited may churches there, so I had high exceptions. This Basilica was interesting enough, but maybe not being Catholic I didn't feel the magic. Lots of small rooms dedicated to certain saints, countries, or organizations: Some were very beautiful and interesting. We took the guided tour, and the others seemed engaged and to be enjoying themselves. A couple of weird things - The main church area has a huge blonde haired, blue eyed Jesus with an odd expression on his face painted on the back wall. Just seemed out of place and out of step with my expectations. Secondly, much of the lower level is covered with names of donors. Thousands upon thousands of them. It really took away from the majesty of the architecture, and made it feel commercial to me.

Beautiful church. Awe inspiring. Peaceful. Every room is gorgeous and a wonderful place to either browse or partake in prayer.

When you live next to the largest Catholic Church is North America and one of the ten biggest churches in the world, you take the tour! You don't need to be Catholic, or even religious, to appreciate the beauty of this experience. You actually do not need a guided tour to wander around, but the Basilica is so huge that it is very helpful. The tour guide, Dee, showed our group of ten on a wonderful hour tour at 11 AM on a Tuesday. If you can take a personal day or are visiting, I would try to visit on a weekday. Buses of people come on the weekends, and I was surprised how large my group was! People come from all over the world to visit here, as we had people from China and Puerto Rico come to see the church. The art work is mostly mosaic throughout the church, and the crypt level is really cool. The inside of the upper level is huge with really interesting domes. Plenty of people describe it in-depth, but I think the most wow factor comes from the sheer size. The gift shop is huge if you are Catholic, and the parking lot is huge if you want to bring your friends. I still love the Monastery a little more because of the amazing gardens, but this is a fun visit once too!

My favorite place to go to as a Catholic University student because it was so close to campus, literally ten feet away! It was my go to place where I can find comfort and peace when I feel stress out about school. The numerous chapels dedicated to our holy mother are absolutely beautiful and I can definitely immerse myself in my faith whenever I visit. It's one of the many spots that not many people know about the district and they are definitely missing out on experiencing its beauty and the beauty of the Catholic Church.

Tacky, gaudy, ugly. These are what came to my mind as I toured this monstrosity of Catholic excess. "Opulence, I has it." I had no idea so many things could be covered in gold tiles! It was disgusting and offensive. We parked across a busy street in an enormous visitor's lot, and walked into the bottom "crypt level" of the structure. There, we found an immense cafeteria and gift shop, filled mostly with stuff from various catholic saints--images, trinkets, etc. The crypts were themselves poorly done marble resembling the cheapest gravestones I've ever seen, undoubtedly marking big donors to the Basilica. Rows of folding chairs were setup for a makeshift chapel despite there being numerous permanent and more comfortable chapels upstairs. My favorite was a life size cardboard cutout of the pope, which was ridiculous. Upstairs on the main level everything seem to be covered in gold. GOLD! It was as if someone asked how they could possibly make a building look spectacular, and the only answer was to have more gold in it. I half expected a dragon to show up (a la Lord of the Rings) or to find a giant treasure room. The stained-glass was actually very minimal, as most of the decoration was done in mosaic tile. Gold mosaic tile, of course. However there were some blue tiles used as contrast. The art was opulent and tasteless, and most of it resembled comic book drawings. It was terrible. The most grand part was the altar, showing a giant image of Jesus with bloody arms extended, which appeared to be saying, "WTF?" I felt as though that image of "dude Jesus" giving the double thumbs up would have fit well in this space. The most impressive aspect of the Basilica was the ceiling shape. The stone work to make the rounded ceiling was really cool, but it was marred by tacky decor. The flooring had less appeal then a 1960's era department store. There were many chapels along the sides, an area that had confessional booth which also had a really impressive door. By impressive I mean that it was gold. There were also many statues, the metal ones (e.g. Saint Peter) rubbed shiny in various spots where tourists had touched them, I guess in prayer. It seemed like a good way to spread disease. It is notable that everything in the Basilica is a façade--it's not really nice, it's just faux finishes. For example if you venture off to the side in any area that they think you may not see or care about, such as the restrooms, they were actually poorly done and kind of gross. It's actually just a bunch of cinderblock walls with faux finish! This gets me to the absolute worst part of the experience, which was a high school group being brought through the Basilica. We overheard them off to the side, being told to send in money, how to address the envelopes, and so on. I guess the money would be used for more gold tiles? Seems like a good reason to get money from high school students. (I'm kidding, it was just horrible seeing these kids being told to send money.) We asked to go up in the bell tower, which supposedly has a really good views of DC since it is the second tallest structure in in the city, by only a few inches to the Washington Monument. We were told that you could easily see the airport (DCA) from the tower. However, you cannot just go up there. You have to get special permission to get a tour. It wasn't sure if "special permission" meant that you had to slip them more money or not, but we were ready to go anyway. This empty shell of a structure was such a disappointment. If you want an impressive tour of a religious building in Washington DC, skip the Basilica and go to the National Cathedral, which is tasteful, majestic, and represents everything a religious building should be. Edit: I am now getting hate mail from Catholics believing I don't appreciate art. To be honest, there is more art in a coloring book than the Basilica. This place is awful and its garish style is against everything the Catholic Church teaches. It's shockingly bad. Seriously there is one place worth visiting for religion in DC: the National Cathedral.