While walking through the streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland, you might come across a quite unusual church building: the Belfast cathedral or St. Anne’s cathedral. It is the seat of two bishops and the foundation stone was laid in 1899. Different parts of the church are memorials for soldiers like the West being dedicated to those Irish who fought in World War I. That feels a bit odd or uncommon. And the church contains two special features: a giant Celtic cross on the outside that attracted my attention and a 40-metre high spire made of stainless steel – the Spire of Hope.
At the portal and within the church, you can find many beautiful and very detailed decorations. There is also a nice glass window showing Saint Patrick. It is said that when he was 16 years old he was enslaved and brought to Ireland where he had to work as a shepherd and survived because of his belief in Christianity. Later he returned as a missionary, brought Christianity to the island and founded churches and cloisters. The legend also tells that he drove all the snakes from the island. A myth that is even today told very often as Saint Patrick is the most favourite saint on the island and celebrated worldwide on St. Patrick’s day (we all know that around the world).
St. Anne‘s cathedral
Donegall Street
Belfast / Béal Feirste
Northern Ireland / Tuaisceart Éireann
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