Wednesday, April 16, 2025

A Walk Through Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

In 2015, I shared a few photographs of this cathedral in one of my photography posts. However, I would like to share a more in-depth pictorial spread of the most exquisite cathedral in Philadelphia - the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

I haven't been inside the cathedral in over 10 years, yet it never ceases to amaze me that whenever I visit, I have the same reaction upon opening the door and looking upwards. It takes my breath away. I feel both awed and humbled.

Part of that is because of feeling the reverence contained within the cathedral, and another part is because of its sheer physical beauty. The architecture (inside and out) is exquisite, magnificent, and absolutely glorious!

"The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia was built in the Roman-Corinthian architectural style. This style is a Neo-Classical variation of the Italian Renaissance."

Walking through the cathedral always feels as though I'm traveling back in time to another place.

In February, I posted the following photo of the cathedral's exterior. I was hoping to go inside and capture some photographs, but alas, it wasn't open. Lucky for me, when I went back two weeks ago, it was open.

So, please enjoy the exterior AND interior of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul...

The Great Dome (made of copper) atop the cathedral...

As you scroll through these photographs, look around and notice the incredible detail within the architecture. *Note: I took these pictures with my cell phone. The only editing I used was to crop them and sharpen a few...

Organ and choir loft...

To anyone who is not Catholic, this next photo is a confessional booth or confessional box, which is a designated area within a church where a priest privately hears the confessions of penitents. The priest sits inside the door, while the penitent kneels on either side behind a closed curtain...