点评:Notre Dame Basilica represented the first major stop during our brief visit to Ottawa. When we arrived shortly after 1PM, it wasn’t too busy (a group of school children had just finished exiting as we came upon the main entrance . . . can’t say I was sad to see them go). As such, we were able to take our time exploring the Basilica: Its architecture and intricate interiors demand our attention. Between admiring the edifice, its beautiful design, and taking a moment to reflect, it’s easy to get “lost” in here for at least a couple of hours.
The current Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica was completed in 1847 (the original church was made of wood and built in 1832) and its design was heavily influenced by the French Gothic Revival-style in vogue in Europe at the time. As a result, the Basilica features two handsome twin spires that dominate the Ottawa skyline even today; the interiors are intricate and ornate, with high vaulted ceilings painted blue with gold glittering stars; “ribs” supported by faux marble columns (doubtless a Canadian touch); beautiful stained glass windows rife with Biblical figures and imagery; an impressive organ feature; and, a tin roof, which we’re told is a “distinctly” French-Canadian touch. The end result is a Basilica that, regardless of one’s religious background, we can gather in, admire, reflect and be at peace – even if just momentarily. In short, it is a beautiful reprieve from the hurly burly of city life and what, now, feels like an increasingly chaotic world.
I’ve said it in other reviews, but it merits repeating here: I am definitely not the religious type, but I certainly appreciate and respect houses of worship. Stepping in here with my partner I couldn’t help but immediately feel at peace – like an awesome wave washed over me. The beautiful synthesis of religion, culture, and society mix and become one. And if you ask him, Saint Joseph will offer a further moment of clarity as you light a candle and silently pray.
Whether you come for the architecture, or to experience the Good, True and the Beautiful, Ottawa’s Notre Dame Basilica definitely should be on your itinerary. As the oldest church in the city, and a National Historic Site of Canada (since 1990), it has much to teach us if we have but the eyes to see and the ears to listen.
翻译:圣母大教堂是我们短暂访问渥太华期间的第一个主要站点。当我们下午 1 点后不久到达时,那里并不太忙(当我们到达主入口时,一群小学生刚刚退出……不能说看到他们离开我感到难过)。因此,我们能够花时间探索大教堂:它的建筑和复杂的内饰需要我们的关注。在欣赏这座建筑及其美丽的设计和花点时间反思之间,很容易在这里“迷失”至少几个小时。
现在的圣母大教堂于1847年竣工(原教堂为木结构,建于1832年),其设计深受当时欧洲流行的法国哥特复兴风格的影响。因此,大教堂拥有两座漂亮的双尖塔,至今仍然占据着渥太华的天际线。室内装饰复杂而华丽,高高的拱形天花板漆成蓝色,上面点缀着金色闪闪发光的星星。由人造大理石柱支撑的“肋骨”(无疑是加拿大风格);美丽的彩色玻璃窗上充满了圣经人物和图像;令人印象深刻的器官特征;还有铁皮屋顶,据说这是“明显”的法裔加拿大风格。最终的结果是一座大教堂,无论一个人的宗教背景如何,我们都可以聚集、欣赏、反思和平静——即使只是暂时的。简而言之,这是从喧嚣的城市生活和现在感觉越来越混乱的世界中得到的一个美丽的喘息机会。
我在其他评论中说过,但值得在这里重复:我绝对不是宗教类型,但我当然欣赏和尊重礼拜堂。和我的伴侣一起踏入这里,我情不自禁地立刻感到平静——就像一股可怕的波浪冲刷着我。宗教、文化和社会完美融合,融为一体。如果你问他,当你点燃蜡烛并默默祈祷时,圣约瑟夫会提供进一步的清晰时刻。
无论您是为了建筑而来,还是为了体验真善美,渥太华的圣母大教堂绝对应该在您的行程中。作为这座城市最古老的教堂,也是加拿大国家历史遗址(自 1990 年起),只要我们用眼睛去看,用耳朵去听,它就能给我们很多启发。