Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is one of the great interiors of the United States and a surprise to many visitors who expect St. Louis to be all brick and stainless steel. From the outside, it is a calm, solid Romanesque church on Lindell Boulevard in the Central West End. Step through the doors and the walls, domes and arches dissolve into glittering mosaic, millions of tiny pieces of glass that cover the building in scenes from scripture and from the history of the church. It is among the largest mosaic collections in the world, assembled over decades by artists who were still at work long after the building opened. The cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis and a working place of worship, which is part of its charm: you are visiting a living space, not a museum. It is at 4431 Lindell Boulevard and is open daily from 7 am to 5 pm. Guided tours run Monday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm and give deeper insight into the mosaics, and there is also the option of self-guided visits. In the basement, the Mosaic Museum explains how the artwork was made and is a useful stop for self-guided visitors.

Because it is a cathedral, services, funerals and weddings may take place, and the schedule can limit access to the main space, so check the cathedral's calendar if your time is tight.

Walk slowly along the aisle and pause in the side chapels to see how different artists approached the same technique. The building is large, with a lot of stone, so it feels cool even in summer and can be chilly in winter.

Louis. Be respectful of worshippers and of any signs asking visitors to avoid certain areas during services. Photographers will find the best light on bright mornings, when sun through the windows picks out the gold in the mosaics, and the dome and arches repay a slow look upward with the neck rested against a pew. Check the calendar for organ concerts and special celebrations, which can make a visit more memorable.