The Grand Washington National Cathedral is said to be one of the most inspiring and striking examples of architecture in America. The Grand Washington National Cathedral holds the honor and distinction of being the sixth in the list of the biggest cathedrals in the world. The building of the cathedral was established over a period of 83 years. All websites and publications dedicated to tourism and travel in the Washington DC region recommend a visit to this stunning spot.

The best way to visit the cathedral is to sign up for one of the tours that are organized. Guided tours are available through the week, extending from Monday to Saturday. The tours are organized in the morning and during the afternoon. The schedule differs slightly on Sunday when the tours are organized only during the mid-afternoon.

The great thing about the guided tours to the Grand Washington National Cathedral is that one does not need to sign up for them in advance or making any bookings or reservations. The tour also does not charge an admission fee. However, those attending are requested to make kind donations. As a thumb rule, adults should make a donation of $3.00, senior citizens should make donations of $2.00 and children are expected to put in $1.00 each. These tours stretch out only for half an hour but leave you full of a lifetime's worth of memories.

One can also sign up for Tour and Tea, which involves a guided tour of the place followed by a small and elegant tea party.

The National Cathedral is the most beautiful monument or a landmark located in Massachusetts and Wisconsin Aves in Washington DC. It is the six largest and the most exciting Gothic-style cathedral in the world. The National cathedral is officially called as Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.

The church was under construction for most of the 20th century and got completed in the year 1990. It took about 83 years for the marvelous architectural style building to be constructed. Its construction began in the year 1907 when the nation was under the rule of Teddy Roosevelt and got completed in the year 1990 when George H.W. Bush was the president.

National Cathedral official website

http://www.nationalcathedral.org/

The trip to the nation's capital cannot be considered to be completed if one doesn't visit this adoring place. The church is open from Monday to Saturday with timings 10 am-4:30 pm and on Sunday with timings 12:30 pm-4:30 pm.

Apart from hosting state funerals and the memorial services of the nation, the church is open for the worshippers having all faiths. The church is based upon the religious denomination of Episcopal and not the catholic.

National Cathedral event calendar

http://www.nationalcathedral.org/visit/calendar.shtml

The architectural style of the cathedral includes 30-meter domed ceiling, gargoyles, crypts and intimate chapels. There are curving walkways on the ground, hedges and large lawns.

Facts and secrets of the National Cathedral

http://hubpages.com/hub/national-cathedral

National Cathedral, Washington DC is famous because it held many state funerals of presidents of the nation namely President Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford. Also many Presidential Inaugural Prayers were held at the church in the recent times. The tomb of President Woodrow Wilson is also constructed at the cathedral. The Martin Luther King preached his last sermon on Sunday in the church prior to his assassination. After the miss happening of 9/11 on the National Day of Prayer the entire nation was addressed by President George W. Bush from the cathedral itself. On the same day a performance was given by the famous singer Denyce Graves which inspired the souls of entire nation. The parking is available in the underground garage of cathedral.

main features of the National Cathedral

http://www.squidoo.com/USA-Gothic-Washington-DC

National Cathedral's tour and tea facilities

http://www.nationalcathedral.org/visit/tourAndTea.shtml

National Cathedral Site map

http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/profile/washington-national-cathedral,792403/map.html