Our Lady of La Difesa – Montreal, Québec - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

Our Lady of La Difesa

Montreal, Québec

This famous church is adorned by a mural commemorating the independence of Vatican City.  

View all photos
Vault of the Church of the Madonna della Difesa. Tango7174/CANADA
Vault of the Church of the Madonna della Difesa. Tango7174/CANADA
90
314
Top Places in Montreal
Standing wave at Habitat '67, Montreal
Montreal, Québec
Redpath Museum
Montreal, Québec
McPherson and Rutherford Physics Collections
Montreal, Québec
 See All
This entry is a stub
Help improve Atlas Obscura by expanding Our Lady of La Difesa with additional information or photos.

Our Lady of La Difesa is located in the heart of Little Italy in Montreal. Inside the church are several frescos, including one that adorns the ceiling. The massive image features various scenes, such as the depiction of Benito Mussolini riding a horse in front of cardinals and Pope Pius XI. The painting commemorates Mussolini’s signing of the Lateran Accords prior to World War II, which designated Vatican City as a separate state.

The fresco also depicts the Virgin Mary on the top level and the triumphant Church with its saints in the middle. The church was completed in 1919 and was designated a National Historic Site by the Canadian government in 2002.

murals churches sacred spaces art
Community Contributors
m
Added by
microtubules
Published
December 2, 2019
Edit this listing
Make an Edit Add Photos
Nearby
Marché Jean-Talon
0.20 miles
Twilight Sculpture Garden
0.53 miles
Fletchers Espace Culinaire
1.09 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Maple season at the Marche
Montreal, Québec

Marché Jean-Talon

Montreal's giant farmer's market is a foodie's best friend, especially in the winter months.
Glen LeMesurier's sculptures in the Twilight Sculpture Garden.
Montreal, Québec

Twilight Sculpture Garden

A patch of contaminated land reclaimed as a scrappy sculptural oasis.
Montreal, Québec

Fletchers Espace Culinaire

The Jewish diaspora shares a menu at this museum café.
One of the more eccentric acts.
Montreal, Québec

La Sala Rossa

From lefty Jewish gathering site to hip cultural site in just 80 years.
Related Places
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Ascension Cathedral

Rebuilt several decades ago, its striking murals prevent it from being reconsecrated as a church.
Nave of the church.
Paris, France

Notre-Dame-de-Lorette

Claude Monet was baptized in this lavishly ornate Paris church.
The Doom Painting, Holy Trinity Church, Coventry, England.
Coventry, England

'Coventry Doom'

This amazing 15th-century mural remained hidden in plain sight for centuries.
The Jean Cocteau murals.
London, England

Church of Notre Dame de France

Colorful murals by Jean Cocteau hide within this peaceful London sanctuary.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web