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Melbourne is a city with a rich historical background to flaunt, lots of stories to tell and plenty of places to visit. Among the must visit tourist attractions in Melbourne is the St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest church in Australia. It is the head of the Catholic Archdiocese and is the seat of the Archbishop in Melbourne. Located in East Melbourne, the St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture. Its stern stone exterior shelters the splendid and magnetic beauty of the inside. The serenity of the ambiance acts like a balm for the soul.The sight of this church in Melbourne is truly a treat for the eye. History St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne has quite an interesting background. The Cathedral was proposed to be built in 1847, only 12 years after the establishment of Melbourne, and certain amount of land in the Eastern Hill area was granted by the Colonial Secretary of Victoria for its construction. The Cathedral was devoted to St. Patrick, a saint of Ireland, as a majority of Catholics in Melbourne at that time were Irish. The construction of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne, designed by William Wardell, took a long time to start due to several obstacles like the lack of labor during the Gold Rush of the 1850s. Almost 11 years after the proposal, the foundation stones were finally laid in 1858. The central area of the church was completed within 10 years but soon after that, work progressed at a very slow pace mainly due to the misery that struck Melbourne in 1991. The construction of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne was finally over in 1997. Style St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne is famous and distinguishable because of its architecture which has been done in the Gothic Revival Style. This style refers to the imitation of the technique of building that is most admired in Europe and America from the late 18th to the 20th century. The central area of the church is designed in the early English style while the rest of the building is more geometrical identifying with the later Gothic style. St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne, a witness to the history of Melbourne and a structure with such captivating beauty, is undoubtedly one of the major places of interest in Melbourne. One of the prime attractions of this church is music, which has been a part of the Cathedral right from the time the first stone was laid. It has evolved with time but in every melody, it sings of the past glories, of all the joys and sorrows Melbourne has witnessed over the years. The St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne is the center of various celebrations all through the year. It also provides support and shelter to anyone in need. However, its main essence is the spirituality and devotion it arouses and spreads among the people far and wide.
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