Overview:

Holy Family Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Kuwait City. It is the main church of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, and is under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church. The cathedral was built by supporters of the Catholic Church in Kuwait, and is considered an important place of worship for the Catholic community. The cathedral also serves as a venue for religious services, and also hosts a number of other activities, including language classes, retreats, and weddings. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Kuwait
Prominent Features:

1. Neo-Romanesque Architecture: Holy Family Cathedral is the only existing example of Neo-Romanesque architecture in Kuwait. This type of architecture draws inspiration from medieval Italian architecturual designs and is characterized by its judicious use of round arches, columns and pilasters. 2. Large Organ: One of the most prominent and defining features of the Holy Family Cathedral is its grand organ. This organ is said to be the largest in the entire Middle East region and is used to play beautiful hymns during church services. 3. Historic Bell Tower: The bell tower of the Holy Family Cathedral is situated high above the main entrance and is considered to be one of the most iconic features of the church. The bell has been used to signal the start and end of prayers since the days of the Cathoics as well as to mark tribal meetings in the past. 4. Carved Doors: The entrance to the Holy Family Cathedral is framed by two large intricately carved wooden doors that feature engravings of figures that are inspired by the Middle East post-democratic era. 5. Spire: The spire of the church's bell tower is a notable design element as it stands tall and symbolizes the importance of faith in the area. It is also illuminating with artificial lighting helping during the night. This national monument of Kuwait portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Holy Family Cathedral in Kuwait was established in the 1950’s by the Victorian Missionaries. It was the first Catholic parish in Kuwait and the first Catholic school in the Gulf region. It has been host to many non-Catholic events, such as being used as a place of worship for Anglicans while they were awaiting the construction of their own church. Holy Family Cathedral quickly became known as the "Gem of the Gulf", and is the most prominent Catholic church in Kuwait. Headed by Archbishop Mgr. Camillo Ballin, it serves as a religious, educational and cultural center to the local and expatriate Catholic community and to the larger Kuwaiti public. In 1999, the original building was destroyed by fire and the new Holy Family Cathedral was subsequently built in 2001. The new building is modern and stylish, perfectly matching the advancement being made in Kuwait in the midst of its oil-rich economy. The structure of the building is based on Italian and Sicilian styles and has a circular dome. It is approximately 204 feet long and its height is estimated at 82 feet. Inside, the church features beautifully carved ash wood doors, striking stained glass windows, and polished Italian marble floors. Holy Family Cathedral also serves as a symbol of unity and peace in Kuwait. In addition to its traditional role as a place of worship, it does extensive outreach to the greater community, hosting charity activities, special events, and interfaith dialogues. Today, Holy Family Cathedral stands as a testament to Catholic values and service, not just to the Catholic community, but to the Kuwaiti nation and its people as a whole. You must visit one of these historical places in Kuwait on your Kuwait tour

Interesting facts:

1. Holy Family Cathedral is the first Catholic Cathedral to be built in Kuwait. 2. The Cathedral was built in 2002 and can seat up to 1600 people. 3. It was opened and blessed by Pope Saint John Paul II in February 2001. 4. The Vatican presented a relic of Saint Francis Xavier to the Cathedral during the blessing ceremony. 5. It is the center of the Kuwaiti Catholic community, where mass is held every day, as well as for special occasions. 6. It serves as a safe haven for foreign catholic dignitaries visiting Kuwait. 7. The Cathedral features works of art from various countries around the world and is one of the most spectacular churches in the Middle East. 8. It also has a Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, a plenary chapel, and a meeting hall. Visit one of the famous monuments of Kuwait with your friends and family.