St. Patrick's Cathedral - Melbourne's second Cathedral, designed in the Gothic Revival style popular once. It is also one of the five Australian churches have honorary status "basilica minor" - this means that in the case of the arrival here of the Pope, the cathedral could be his residence.

In the mid-19th century, the Catholic community of Melbourne was almost one hundred percent of the Irish, which is considered the patron saint St. Patrick. Therefore, the new Catholic cathedral, which began to build in the area of ​​the eastern hills, it was decided to dedicate it to him.

The architect William Wardell was chosen one of the most famous artists of his time. Construction of the cathedral was to begin in 1851, but the outbreak of gold fever pulled almost all the able-bodied population of the city to the gold mines, and skilled labor was not enough. Start of construction was postponed several times, and the first stone of the cathedral was laid only in 1858.

Construction of the nave - the interior - lasted about 10 years, but work on the rest of the building lasted even longer. Only in 1897, the cathedral was consecrated, and then - almost 40 years after the start of construction - it was not finished! The Catholic community on several occasions had to organize the collection of funds for the completion of construction, which took place only in 1939.

Work on the decoration of the cathedral lasted for 20 years. Instead, set the amber stained glass windows, making the interior of the church fills the golden shimmering light. Tiled mosaic panel as the marble altar. Mosaic, by the way, produced in Venice.

In the years 1937-1939 the cathedral was attached three towers - two on the west facade and one on sredokrestiem. The first two have a height of 61, 8 meters. The tower rises above sredokrestiem 79, 2 meters and its spire is crowned. Celtic Cross, Irish and given to the government and installed on a 105-meter central spire, weighs about 1, 5 tons!

As in St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Patrick's Cathedral in the organ. Here are regularly held concerts of leading musicians and choral groups.