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All the United States Washington, D.C. Mary's Garden

Mary's Garden

An overlooked oasis of quiet on the grounds of Washington's monumental basilica.

Washington, D.C.

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Ruben Stemple
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The statue of the Virgin Mary.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
The fountain with the inscription   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
The fountain is surrounded by benches.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
A view of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.   AgnosticPreachersKid/CC BY-SA 3.0
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Washington's Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Roman Catholic Church in North America, is an imposing structure with 70 different chapels. Visitors often need a few minutes of quiet contemplation after taking in the majesty of this building.

As if aware of this fact, in June 2000 the church added in Mary’s Garden, an oasis often overlooked by the millions who visit the shrine each year.

The circular garden was designed by landscape architect Brian Kane and is located on the north terrace. At one end of the garden is a reflecting pool and a life-size limestone statue of the Virgin Mary. The bubbling Magnificat Fountain has a red granite border and is inscribed with words from the Bible: “My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my savior."

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Statues Churches Gardens Basilicas Christianity Plants Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

Mary’s Garden is on the Northwest corner of the Basilica near Harewood Road NE.  There is a walking path leading to the garden from the sidewalk along Harewood Road NE and from the CUA campus.  The Basilica and Mary’s Garden are near the Brookland/CUA metro (red line).

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Added By

R Stemple

Edited By

Kavya Ram Mohan

  • Kavya Ram Mohan

Published

June 13, 2017

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  • http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/basilica-of-the-national-shrine-of-the-immaculate-conception
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_Protector_of_Faith_(Russo)
  • http://honoringmary.cua.edu/index.html%3Fp=7169.html
  • http://www.nationalshrine.com/atf/cf/%7BB0534716-4524-407D-A065-B68C4BFCB4BE%7D/Facts%20Figures%20%20Features%20of%20the%20Basilica.pdf
Mary's Garden
3837-3975 Harewood Rd NE
Washington, District of Columbia
United States
38.931697, -77.001249
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Nearby Places

Harewood Lodge

Washington, D.C.

miles away

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Washington, D.C.

miles away

Brooks Mansion

Washington, D.C.

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

United States

Places 285
Stories 49

Nearby Places

Harewood Lodge

Washington, D.C.

miles away

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Washington, D.C.

miles away

Brooks Mansion

Washington, D.C.

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

United States

Places 285
Stories 49

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