In the center of Place d’Armes sits the Basilica, Montreal’s grandest Catholic church. Originally built in the 17th century, a new building was commissioned in 1829. American architect James O’Donnell excelled himself with a vast vaulted cavern that combined elements of Neo-Classical and Neo-Gothic design, and provides 3,000 seats in the nave and two tiers of balconies. Splendidly redecorated in the 1870s, the intricate woodcarving is the work of Canadian craftsman Victor Bourgeau.