Beautiful Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Ottawa, Canada

This cathedral basilica in Ottawa was a lovely surprise during my visit in the city last year.

I did not expect to see such exquisite church interior with intricate detailing and design in Ottawa, which could in fact rival with the famous, very touristy and you-have-to-pay-to-get-in Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal. I am not taking this lightly, the Notre-Dame in Ottawa is as stunning as its sister in Montreal! Seriously.

And there is more surprise: It is FREE to enter the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica in Ottawa.

Hmm. Perhaps because this is still a real functioning church and mass tourism has not discovered her yet. Well, not yet.

So if you are in town, do not miss this historical piece of architecture. It has been designated as a National Historic Site of Canada. The cathedral is located across the National Gallery of Canada, not too far away from the ByWard Market. I really enjoyed my visit here and quite glad that I checked the church out.

If you are a Catholic then you are hitting two birds with one stone: religion(pray?) and culture/architecture.

Learn more here: Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica Ottawa