7. Basilica Of Saint Lawrence
Basilica Of Saint Lawrence
Asheville, NC 28801
The Basilica of St. Lawrence is Spanish Renaissance architecture. The basilica was designed and built in 1905 by Spanish architect. The foundation is made of massive stone and the solid brick structure was built to endure generations. The structure has no beams of wood or steel in the entire structure. All the walls, floors, ceilings and pillars are made from tile and masonry material. The roof is made of tile with a copper covering.
From the main aisle inside the church, you can see the beauty of the ellipse and the beauty of the dome. The dome is built entirely of tiles and is self-supporting. The dome has a clear span of 58x82 feet and is believed to be the largest unsupported dome in North America. The statues came from Italy and the high alter is made from marble found in Tennessee. The basilica is known for its many elaborate stained glass windows, many which were made in Munich, Germany.
