St. Leonard's Church and Peace Garden, Boston

St. Leonard's Church and Peace Garden, Boston

Nestled at the juncture of Hanover Street and parallel to Prince Street, Saint Leonard's Church has been Boston's go-to spot for heavenly Italian-Catholic vibes since its inception in 1873. Run by Franciscan friars and known for housing Saint Anthony's shrine, it's the first Italian-Catholic church in all of New England, founded well before pasta became a food group of its own.

As you approach, the Peace Garden flaunts its charm, luring you in with the promise of serenity and a potential divine intervention for your love life or, at the very least, your garden's bloom. Once you've taken in the horticultural delights, venture into the upper church, where the interior décor takes a sharp left turn from Boston's traditionally stark Protestant places of worship. Prepare to be dazzled by the vibrant lineup of saints, an exquisite rendition of the Stations of the Cross, and enough frescoes and stained glass to make your Instagram followers green with envy. Even if you're not big on faith, Saint Leonard's visual spectacle is worth every second of your time.

And here's the best part – they won't charge you a entrance fee, but the gift shop will be more than happy to help you part with a few earthly dollars in exchange for heavenly souvenirs. Consider it your holy obligation to browse the offerings and maybe pick up something.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Boston. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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St. Leonard's Church and Peace Garden on Map

Sight Name: St. Leonard's Church and Peace Garden
Sight Location: Boston, USA (See walking tours in Boston)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Boston, Massachusetts

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