Sight guide · Asheville · United States
Visiting Basilica of St. Lawrence
Built in 1909, this Spanish Renaissance basilica was designed by Rafael Guastavino, the Spanish architect famous for his tile vaulting.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Asheville · Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Basilica of St. Lawrence is a religious site in Downtown Asheville, Asheville. Allow 30 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- Downtown Asheville
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, architecture and history
- Best months
- April–May and November
Plan a trip to Asheville
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About Basilica of St. Lawrence
Built in 1909, this Spanish Renaissance basilica was designed by Rafael Guastavino, the Spanish architect famous for his tile vaulting. Its self-supporting elliptical dome is one of the largest of its kind in North America, and Guastavino himself is buried in the crypt.
Tip: Visit outside service times and look straight up at the dome's interlocking tiles.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 30 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not needed; you can simply turn up.
- Where: Downtown Asheville, art Deco streets of galleries, bookshops, restaurants and rooftop bars.
Best time to visit Basilica of St. Lawrence
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 15°C (59°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- April: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- May: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Asheville has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Asheville itinerary visits Basilica of St. Lawrence on day 3, together with Downtown Art Deco walk and Asheville Art Museum.
- No. 7 of the 14 sights in our Asheville things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Asheville.
Near Basilica of St. Lawrence
Within walking distance of Basilica of St. Lawrence (straight-line distances):
- Asheville Art Museum — about 0.6 km away, 1.5–2 hours, mid-priced
- Grove Arcade — about 0.2 km away, 45 minutes, free
- River Arts District — about 1.4 km away, 2–3 hours, free
If you like Basilica of St. Lawrence
- Biltmore Estate — Biltmore Village, Full day
- Omni Grove Park Inn — North Asheville and Grove Park, 1 hour
Staying near Basilica of St. Lawrence
Stay in Downtown Asheville ($$$) to walk here: art Deco streets of galleries, bookshops, restaurants and rooftop bars. All areas to stay in Asheville.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Basilica of St. Lawrence?
Plan 30 minutes. Asheville Art Museum is about 0.6 km away in a straight line, so the two fit a half-day.
+Is Basilica of St. Lawrence free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Basilica of St. Lawrence?
April–May and November, the quietest of the good months. Visit outside service times and look straight up at the dome's interlocking tiles.
+Do I need to book Basilica of St. Lawrence in advance?
No: it is free to visit, so you can decide on the day.