Saint Mary's Cathedral

Saint Mary's Cathedral is a large brick building with twin spires and a bell tower, designed using Gothic Revival architectural elements. The structure occupies substantial grounds and continues to serve its original purpose as an active place of worship.

Construction began in 1895 under Bishop Paul Bigandet's direction and was completed in 1899, with Dutch architect Joseph Cuypers overseeing the design. The cathedral emerged during the colonial period when Catholic presence was growing in the region.

The cathedral serves as a gathering place for Catholics in Myanmar, welcoming worshippers from different backgrounds and walks of life. Services here reflect the spiritual needs of a diverse community that has called this place home for generations.

The cathedral is located on Bo Aung Kyaw Street in a central area that is easily accessible by public transport or foot. Visitors should dress respectfully, as this is an active place of worship where services take place regularly.

During construction, builders used an ingenious solution by driving deep wooden piles made from Pyinkado wood into the swampy ground to create a stable foundation for the heavy structure. This traditional technique allowed the massive building to rest securely on otherwise unstable soil.