The Gallery of Divine Light
Audio Tour of St Patrick’s Stained-glass Windows Cathedral, New York
Why Visit?
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60 min
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Audio Tour
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Indoor Tour
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Major Landmark
Give it a listen:
St Patrick’s Cathedral is more than New York’s architectural and spiritual landmark – it’s a book written in glass, stone, and light. During this indoor tour, you’ll see how St Patrick’s stained-glass windows reveal layers of biblical stories, historic events, and fables. You’ll discover how the Cathedral was conceived as a bold declaration of Catholic presence in a predominantly Protestant city, and completed in 1879 under the vision of Archbishop John Hughes. You’ll uncover the symbolic vocabulary of Gothic architecture, with verticality suggesting transcendence, and find out why St. Patrick’s is a cathedral (not just a church).
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Highlights
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The Great Rose Window, its eight petals symbolizing eternity
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Narrative windows of the lives of St. Patrick and the Virgin Mary, unfolding across 18 glowing panels.
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The tomb of Venerable Pierre Toussaint, a Haitian-born philanthropist and candidate for sainthood
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The cardinal hats suspended from the ceiling
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The Miracle of the Roses and other legends depicted in radiant glass
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Dramatic scenes of brutal martyrdoms, such as St. Lawrence roasted alive over the flames
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The monumental Pietà by William Partridge
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The High Altar, crowned by a 57-foot bronze baldacchino – a masterpiece of sacred art
