The Washington National Cathedral, a favorite of U.S. presidents, began charging admission in 2014

▲ The century-old Washington National Cathedral will begin charging admission fees from January 2014. (Photo / fromWashington National CathedralFB fan page)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The century-old Washington National Cathedral will start charging admission fees from January 2014. Except for regular church services and Sundays, which remain free, visitors on weekdays will be charged fees ranging from $6 to $10. Adults will pay $10 (approximately NT$295) for admission on weekdays, while seniors, students, children, and military personnel will pay a discounted rate of $6 (approximately NT$177). This fee system will be piloted for six months before being adjusted based on the situation.


▲ In addition to hosting grand farewell services, the Washington National Cathedral attracts over 400,000 visitors from around the world each year. (Photo / from Wikimedia Commons)

The Washington National Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, was built in 1907 and is the sixth-largest and second-largest Gothic cathedral in the United States.It has hosted the funeral services of three U.S. presidents—Eisenhower, Reagan, and Ford—as well as inaugural prayer services for six presidents. The cathedral’s allure is remarkable, attracting over 400,000 visitors in 2012 alone.

The Washington National Cathedral suffered damage from a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in 2011, which affected its central tower, flying buttresses, and stonework, requiring $26 million (approximately NT$770 million) for repairs. With no government subsidies and declining visitor donations, the cathedral decided to introduce admission fees to raise repair funds and alleviate its financial strain.