Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist

Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist tickets: which one to buy

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist stands on Lafayette Square in the historic district of Savannah, Georgia, and entry is free, with donations welcome. It is one of the most beautiful churches in the American South and a highlight of Savannah's squares, a network of tree-shaded public spaces laid out by the city's founder, James Oglethorpe, in 1733.

Walking, trolley and ghost tours of Savannah pass the cathedral, together with Forsyth Park, the Mercer-Williams House, the Andrew Low House and the riverfront. The cathedral is open to visitors on most days outside services, and volunteers are often on hand. Modest dress is appreciated. The cathedral's twin spires rise above the live oaks draped with Spanish moss, one of the most photographed views in Savannah. Trolley tours of Savannah stop near Lafayette Square, and visitors can hop on and off.

Visiting Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist: what to see

The first Catholic church in Savannah was built in the late eighteenth century by French refugees from Haiti, and the congregation grew with Irish immigrants. The present cathedral was built between 1873 and 1876 in the French Gothic Revival style, with twin spires completed in 1896. In 1898, a fire destroyed most of the interior, and the cathedral was rebuilt and reopened in 1900. Inside, the cathedral has a tall nave with ribbed vaults, stained glass windows made in Innsbruck, Austria, murals painted in the early twentieth century by the Austrian artist Christian Mueller, an Italian marble altar and a large pipe organ. A major restoration completed in 2000 renewed the interior's colours and decoration. The cathedral was declared a minor basilica in 1937.

The Stations of the Cross were carved in Munich. The cathedral's ceiling murals show scenes from the life of Christ, surrounded by painted decorations in gold. The high altar is carved in marble, and the side chapels hold statues of the Virgin and Saint Joseph. The stained glass windows depict the life of the Virgin and saints. The organ, in the choir loft, is one of the largest in Georgia. The cathedral's facade has two towers topped with slender spires and a rose window. The Lafayette Square fountain in front of the cathedral commemorates the Colonial Dames of America. The interior's warm colours and gilding are especially beautiful when the sun shines through the windows. Pews and woodwork were restored during the 2000 renovation.

Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist opening hours and the best time to go

The cathedral is open daily, with visits restricted during masses. Savannah is most pleasant in spring, when the azaleas bloom, and in autumn; summer is hot and humid, and hurricane season runs from June to November. Saint Patrick's Day in March is a huge celebration in Savannah, with one of the largest parades in the United States, and the cathedral holds a special mass. Christmas brings concerts. Allow about twenty minutes for the cathedral, and stroll through Lafayette Square and down to Forsyth Park. The Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home, on Lafayette Square, is a small museum dedicated to the writer and is open on selected days.