Cathedral of the Holy Cross Virtual Tour

Guided Tour Option
The play button at the bottom left of your screen will take you to an abbreviated guided tour of the Cathedral.
You can also navigate the space on your own for a fuller exploration of the Cathedral’s history. See the instructions below.

Navigating the Tour
You can use the buttons on the lower left of the screen to take yourself to different spaces in the Cathedral. Use the floorplan or dollhouse view to quickly navigate to any point in the building by double-clicking the point to which you want to navigate.
Desktop or Laptop
To move around the tour, either use your mouse to double-click the point to which you want to advance to or use the arrow keys on your computer to move forward or backward. Look around by panning left or right with your arrow keys, or by clicking and dragging in the direction you want to view.

Zoom in or out using the mouse wheel on a desktop or using two fingers on the trackpad of a laptop.

Mobile
To move around the tour, double tap the point to which you want to advance. Look around by swiping with one finger. Zoom in or out by using two fingers to pinch the screen in or out.

Understanding the Content Tags
Throughout the virtual space, you will notice small icon circles tethered to various locations. These tags contain information on the history, architecture, and meaning of different elements of the Cathedral. See the table below for information on what the icons represent.

Toggle Content Tags on and Off
The default display shows all tags available in the tour. If you prefer a less cluttered or more targeted view of the space, use the drop-down menu in the top left of the screen to uncheck tags that are not of interest.

Tag Colors and Icons
Tags have been coordinated by color and by symbol depending upon the information they contain. The following legend identifies each type of tag by its  symbol and color.


Search Within Content Tags
To quickly locate information found within the content tags, you can keyword search across all of them using the magnifying glass in the top left corner of the screen. Clicking on a tag that appears in the search results will bring you directly to the location of the tag in the tour.
Glossary of Terms

Archbishop
A bishop who oversees an archdiocese and has authority over other dioceses within a province.

Archdiocese
A principal diocese of the Church, led by an archbishop, often serving as the center of an ecclesiastical province.

Cardinal
A senior church official appointed by the Pope, who advises him and participates in electing a new pope.

Cathedra
From which the word “Cathedral” derives, the bishop’s ceremonial throne in a cathedral, symbolizing his teaching authority.

Chancel
The area around the altar in a church, reserved for clergy and choir during liturgy.

Clerestory
The upper part of a church’s nave, containing windows that let in light (see also: nave).

Galero
A broad-brimmed red hat traditionally worn by cardinals; also used as a heraldic symbol

High Altar
The main, central, and principal altar in a church, typically located in the sanctuary and elevated on steps for prominence.

Jubilee
A special anniversary marking a significant number of years in the priestly or episcopal ministry, such as the 25th (silver), 50th (golden), or 60th (diamond) year of ordination, celebrated in thanksgiving for faithful service to the Church. The term also applies to a church or parish commemorating an important anniversary of its dedication or founding.

Monsignor
An honorary title granted by the Pope to certain diocesan priests as a mark of distinction for their exemplary service and fidelity to the Church. Traditionally, monsignors may hold specific papal honors, such as Chaplain of His Holiness, Prelate of Honor, or Protonotary Apostolic.

Nave
The main central area of a church where the congregation sits.

Novena
A devotional prayer repeated for nine consecutive days for a specific intention.

Pastor
A priest entrusted with the spiritual care of a parish community.

Rector
A priest in charge of a church, shrine, or seminary that is not a traditional parish.

Relic
A physical object connected with a saint, such as a body part or personal belonging, venerated as holy.

Reliquary
A container or shrine that holds and displays relics.

Requiem
A Mass offered for the repose of the souls of the dead.

Sacristy
A room in a church where vestments, sacred vessels, and liturgical items are kept and prepared.

Sanctuary
The sacred area around the altar where the liturgy is celebrated.

Second Vatican Council
An ecumenical council (1962–1965) that brought significant renewal and modernization to the Church.

Tabernacle
A secure, ornate container in which the consecrated Eucharist is reserved.

Tester
A decorative canopy or covering over an altar, pulpit, or bishop’s throne.

Transept
The cross arm of a cruciform church, set perpendicular to the nave.