The Cathedral of saints Peter and Paul, which belongs to the Episcopal Church, the Americans call the Washington national Cathedral. Took hold and became almost the official name underlines the importance of the temple for the whole country. Congress is not accidentally called the Cathedral, the sixth in the world and second in USA in size, the national house of prayer. Service was held here for presidents, senators, astronauts, and victims of wars and disasters, Martin Luther king delivered his last Sunday sermon here during the Second world pray for the nation.

The huge building of Indiana limestone in the Gothic revival style seems old, but was built in the XX century. Although the idea of constructing a national Cathedral was born during the planning of Washington architect Pierre Langfang, construction began only in 1907. Stressing the importance of the future Cathedral, it took the highest place in the city. Laying the Foundation was made by President Theodore Roosevelt. The temple was built 83 years – he was fully completed only in 1990.

During these years the design of the Cathedral was involved in various architects, George Frederick Bodley to Philip Hubert of Romana, but the building doesn't look eclectic. The influence of the medieval Gothic (mostly English) can be seen in everything – in pointed arches, buttresses, flying buttresses, stained glass Windows, carved stone jewelry, and three towers. Central tower "Glory to God" with a height of 206 meters is one of the highest points in Washington. It is possible to climb the 333 steps of the spiral staircase is not easy, but the views of Washington are worth it.

The building is very ornate: wood carvings, wrought iron accents, reliefs, frescoes, mosaics. There are 112 gargoyles, 288 figures of angels, 231 stained glass. From stained glass Windows the most well known of the so-called space devoted to land a man on the moon (the image is embedded a fragment of lunar rock). The main altar built of stones brought from Jerusalem quarries of king Solomon, where, as many believe, was extracted stones for the First Temple. In the floor before the altar built ten plates from the cave of Moses on mount Sinai, where, according to legend, he waited to receive the Ten commandments.

Among the many gargoyles and chimeras have an unexpected sculpture – the head of Darth Vader, the main character of the epic "Star wars." In the 1980s the administration of the Cathedral together with the children's magazine National Geographic World announced a competition for the best Chimera. One of the winners – a boy from Nebraska – painted Darth Vader as a symbol of evil. Fashioned character sculptor Jay Hall carpenter, for twenty years adorned the Cathedral. The tourist who wants to see such an unusual for the Church sculpture, you must exit the Cathedral through the wooden door near the statue of Abraham Lincoln, turn right and turn around at the nearest (North-West) tower. Nice to be with you binoculars – Darth Vader is very much appreciated.