St Monica's Cathedral
St Monica's Cathedral
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
342 reviews
Excellent
215
Very good
109
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15
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3
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FiftyFifty5050
Montgomery, UK921 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
We had visited the Cairns Aquarium and discovered that St Monica's Cathedral was just a short walk away, literally up the road and what a beautiful, beautiful place.
The interior of the building itself is very simple, clean lines and muted colours but then you look to the side and behind you and are just stunned by the stained glass.
The multiple panels depict the story of the creation from the Book of Genesis and are absolutely amazing, you need to really stand back from each side so that you can take in the whole wall and follow the sequence.
Even if you don't visit from a faith perspective, you would be challenged not to be in awe of the artistry of these panels, which lift the cathedral's simple interior to something very very special.
The original purpose of stained glass windows, other than the wealthy and privileged showing off their riches, was to tell stories for the great mass of parishoners who couldn't read the Word, and this modern version does this brilliantly, with vibrancy, power and real drama.
An absolute must on a visit to Cairns.
The interior of the building itself is very simple, clean lines and muted colours but then you look to the side and behind you and are just stunned by the stained glass.
The multiple panels depict the story of the creation from the Book of Genesis and are absolutely amazing, you need to really stand back from each side so that you can take in the whole wall and follow the sequence.
Even if you don't visit from a faith perspective, you would be challenged not to be in awe of the artistry of these panels, which lift the cathedral's simple interior to something very very special.
The original purpose of stained glass windows, other than the wealthy and privileged showing off their riches, was to tell stories for the great mass of parishoners who couldn't read the Word, and this modern version does this brilliantly, with vibrancy, power and real drama.
An absolute must on a visit to Cairns.
Written December 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elspeth H
55 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
I confess to loving stained glass windows, so this review is biased. But wow! It is worth seeing the Cathedral windows with a guide because there are all sorts of interesting bits of history associated with the creation of the windows and wonderful details that might be missed without a guide's direction.
Written September 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SLP27
Brisbane, Australia62 contributions
Jun 2021
We quietly popped in to the Cathedral one morning and viewed the extraordinary stained glass windows. Not in the traditional style but with a beautiful retelling of the creation story from the early cosmos progressing around the interior through to current times and on to the future. There are also two windows at the entrance depicting peace after the war (given how close war came to the area). Very poignant. If you go, please be respectful.
Written July 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
parbendra
Sydney, Australia277 contributions
Feb 2020
A peaceful stop away from the Esplanade where it is very peaceful whether you are religious or not. The stained glass windows must have taken a lot of effort to make and the amount of detail is outstanding. Worth a short stop visiting landmarks around the area.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
尾崎 安信
Kakogawa, Japan1 contribution
Dec 2024 • Friends
The inside of the church is very beautiful. The stained glass is lovely.
I visited on a Sunday around 10 o'clock. I asked the clerk if I could come in and he said yes. The inside of the association was very large and the stained glass was beautiful. They responded with a smile to our visit without reservation. I wish I had stayed until then, because the time for Mass was at 11am. We made a little bit of a 45-yard donation. He was very kind.
I visited on a Sunday around 10 o'clock. I asked the clerk if I could come in and he said yes. The inside of the association was very large and the stained glass was beautiful. They responded with a smile to our visit without reservation. I wish I had stayed until then, because the time for Mass was at 11am. We made a little bit of a 45-yard donation. He was very kind.
Automatically translated
Written December 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol B
Sydney, Australia45 contributions
Aug 2022
Absolutely stunning! Very unassuming from the outside, but inside - wow! The stained glass windows were beautiful. Very modern depictions of the Creation, with an Australian flavour. Also some panels representing war scenes from Battle of the Coral Sea 1942. Have never seen anything like this anywhere else and who would have thought you'd find it in Cairns. A must-see.
Written August 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jenemgee
Sydney, Australia9 contributions
May 2022
Amazing! You'll never see the like anywhere else. The windows defy description. The artists started with creation and finished with a green Australia. The peace window gives a time for reflection .
Written June 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerry G
Ipswich, Australia64 contributions
Mar 2022
A friend suggested to pop in and have a look at the amazing stained glass windows. We passed the cathedral on one of our morning walks so popped in for a look. Certainly different to your normal church stained glass windows. So well done.
Written March 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margriet H
Darwin, Australia412 contributions
Feb 2020
I went here as part of City and Surrounds tour. Good to receive brochure explaining all the 12 stained glass panels. A labour of love. The Cowrie timber pews were very impressive. Well worth the visit. I recommend the tour, group of about 20, with knowledgeable tour guide Eric.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tour06285065148
30 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
We have never seen anything like these windows before! They are an absolute must to see. The cathedral has a delightful ambiance to sit and contemplate.
There is a book and gift shop to the side of the cathedral. Do visit it, the ladies are lovely and you can buy a lovely calendar with pictures of the windows.
There is a book and gift shop to the side of the cathedral. Do visit it, the ladies are lovely and you can buy a lovely calendar with pictures of the windows.
Written November 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There is no cost to go into the cathedral and you can wander around as much as you like as long as there is no service being conducted, of course. There is a little shop around the corner of the building which sells postcards (and religious material).
Written July 12, 2018
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