The core part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, the Cathedral Church and Minor Basilica of Saint Patrick serves as a prime example of the Gothic-Revival architectural style from the mid to late 1800s. It’s known as the tallest church structure in Australia, built from local sandstone and bluestone.
Visitors are welcome to attend mass, which occurs two times per day, or just stop by to admire the cathedral’s traditional organ from the 1870s and intricate altar mosaics created in Venice. Most of the seven interior chapels have a web of colourful floor mosaics portraying biblical stories and events.
Attend a performance of the Cathedral Choir to see talented singers and musicians utilising a plethora of instruments in coordination with the cathedral bells and organs. Stop by the Cathedral Shop to pick up gifts, CDs, handmade souvenirs, rosary beads and fine-art prints and postcards.
Getting there
St Patrick Cathedral is located on Eastern Hill, accessible by buses and trams along Albert, Gisborne and Landsdown Streets. It’s also a five-minute walk from the Old Treasury Building and Parliament House.