Washington National Cathedral, Episcopal cathedral in Mount Saint Alban, Washington DC, United States.
The Washington National Cathedral is an Episcopal cathedral in the Mount Saint Alban neighborhood of Washington, D.C., built in the manner of medieval English models. The twin western towers rise above the city, while inside, vaulted ceilings arch over pews of carved oak and more than 200 stained glass windows filter light through the stone building.
The foundation stone was laid in 1907 in the presence of President Theodore Roosevelt, and the work was not completed until 1990. Three generations of architects worked on the building, with the western facade and towers completed during the final decades of the 20th century.
During the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his final Sunday sermon here, and the stained glass windows depict events from American history. The bells ring for important occasions across the country, and the stone carvers have created gargoyles that depict modern figures such as Darth Vader.
The entrance is on the south side, and visitors can explore the crypt, the chapels, and the gardens around the grounds. Services and guided tours take place on weekdays, and the upper levels offer viewpoints over the city.
A piece of lunar rock from the Apollo 11 mission was embedded in a stained glass window that depicts planets and stars. The building also contains more than 100 hand-carved gargoyles, one of which resembles a famous film villain and was chosen in a competition during the 1980s.
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