Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

Rafael Moneo's striking 2002 cathedral in Downtown LA, featuring alabaster windows, monumental tapestries, and a contemplative atmosphere.

Completed in 2002 to designs by Spanish architect José Rafael Moneo, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is one of the most architecturally significant religious buildings in the United States. Its warm sand-colored concrete exterior gives Downtown LA an unexpected landmark, while the interior rewards visitors with alabaster windows that flood the nave with soft, diffused light. The tapestries lining the nave — depicting 135 saints and beati — stretch nearly 25 meters high and were created by artist John Nava. The crypt below holds the remains of several notable Angelenos. As the mother church of the largest Catholic archdiocese in the country, the cathedral offers free guided tours daily. Even for secular visitors, it delivers architecture, art, and genuine quietude in the midst of a busy city.