Mary's Garden – Washington, D.C. - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

Mary's Garden

Washington, D.C.

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

View all photos
The statue of the Virgin Mary. R Stemple (Atlas Obscura User)
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
268
641
Top Places in Washington, D.C.
Martha, taxidermied
Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon
Washington, D.C.
Summerhouse
Washington, D.C.
Rockefeller Mansion in Rock Creek Park
Washington, D.C.
 See All

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.”

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).

basilicas christianity gardens churches plants sacred spaces statues
Nearby
Harewood Lodge
0.07 miles
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
0.13 miles
Brooks Mansion
0.44 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Harewood Lodge
Washington, D.C.

Harewood Lodge

One of the first Second Empire-style buildings constructed in North America.
Outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (ncindc/Flickr)
Washington, D.C.

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Largest Roman Catholic church in North America.
Brooks Mansion
Washington, D.C.

Brooks Mansion

This historic building is now home to the Public Access Corporation for the District of Columbia.
Slowe-Burrill House
Washington, D.C.

Slowe-Burrill House

Home to two notable early-20th-century Black educators, Lucy Slowe and Mary Burrill.
Related Places
Sanctuary interior.
San Francisco, California

Swedenborgian Church

The rustic cabin-like decor of this Arts and Crafts-style church reflects the love of nature central to its little-known theology.
Inside the church
Atotonilco, Mexico

Santuario de Atotonilco

The walls and ceilings of the "Mexican Sistine Chapel" are almost completely covered with mural, sculpture, inscriptions and oil paintings.
Frescoes in the basilica chapel.
Rome, Italy

Basilica of Santi Quattro Coronati

A fortified medieval basilica on the Caelian Hill preserves extraordinary frescoes and one of Rome's most beautiful hidden cloisters.
Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea.
Palm Beach, Florida

Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea

The oldest house of worship in Palm Beach has a wonderful tropical garden.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web