Old Montreal is a remarkable location of all buildings dating from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The district has the delightful feel of a Parisian-style quarter, situated as it is between the waterfront and the business hub. Its many historic sites, streets, and landmarks are best explored on foot. Of the many things to do here, the highlights are visiting the Pointe-à-Callière museum of archaeology and history, the twin-towered Notre-Dame Basilica, the quays of the revitalized Old Port, and the open-air gathering space of Place Jacques-Cartier.
NOTRE-DAME BASILICA
Founded in 1656, Montreal’s oldest church, Notre-Dame Basilica, stands in a far grander incarnation than the original. The twin towers of the neo-Gothic facade face Place d’Armes. The intricate and resplendent interior was designed by Victor Bourgeau. Highlights are the magnificent carved pulpit by sculptor Louis-Philippe Hebert (1850-1917), the 7,000-pipe organ by the Casavant Freres firm, and the stained-glass windows portraying scenes from the founding of Montreal.
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OLYMPICS STADIUM
In May 1970 the City of Montreal was awarded the 1976 Summer Olympics. This led to the construction of a new stadium that would be used for the Olympics and then the Expos. The new stadium was named Olympic Stadium and became the first to have a retractable roof. Because of construction delays Olympic Stadium opened unfinished for the Olympics. The retractable roof was unfinished because a 522 foot hoisting tower next to the stadium was only a quarter of its planned height. The retractable fabric roof that was to be suspended from the tower by cables, also was not in place. However the field, working spaces and spectator areas were complete at the stadium allowing the Olympics to occur.
JAMES UNITED CHURCH
Saint James United Church is a heritage church in downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is a Protestant church affiliated with the United Church of Canada.
