Canada

Canada is often known for its frigid temperatures and snowy environments, but beneath that icy surface, it’s a country rich in history and steeped in culture.

This story was created for the Google Expeditions project by ePublishing Partners, now available on Google Arts & Culture

Tap to explore

From the vibrant architecture of Lunenburg to the metropolitan wonder that is Toronto, there’s something for everyone.

Tap to explore

Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a major Catholic church along the St. Lawrence River, 30 kilometers east of Quebec City.

Tap to explore

In 1658, land was set aside to build the current shrine honoring Saint Anne, the patron saint of Quebec and the mother of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus. Today, about half a million pilgrims journey here annually to pray to Saint Anne.

Tap to explore

The Feast of Saint Anne on July 26 is the church’s busiest day of the year.

Tap to explore

Seven Deadly Sins

This is one of seven medallions in the tile floor that represent the deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. These are also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins.

Tap to explore

Three Generations

Above the main altar is a depiction of Saint Anne, the Virgin Mary, and the child Jesus. Anne is offering fruit to Jesus, which some interpret as a symbol of Jesus’ role in the Catholic faith. 

Tap to explore

Sculpted Columns

The columns in the church, designed by the Canadian artist Joseph-Émile Brunet, depict 52 scenes from Jesus’ life. These scenes include the 14 "Stations of the Cross," which represent the incidents that led to Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. 

Tap to explore

Stained Glass

The stained glass images throughout the church were designed by Auguste Labouret. The central image, high above the main altar, is of Jesus Christ, clothed in a red robe. He is surrounded by Old Testament prophets and patriarchs. 

Tap to explore

Massey Hall

Massey Hall is a performing arts theater located in downtown Toronto, donated to the city by businessman Hart Massey.

Tap to explore

It was originally built to provide a secular meeting place for social gatherings and musical performances, and, more than 100 years later, it continues to serve that purpose.

Tap to explore

Massey Hall has hosted notable dignitaries and diverse artists, including the Dalai Lama, Winston Churchill, Luciano Pavarotti, and Bob Dylan. It became a National Historic Site of Canada on June 15, 1981.

Tap to explore

Box Arches

These horseshoe-shaped box arches are another example of the Moorish Revival style.

Tap to explore

Ceiling Hangings

These scalloped ceiling hangings feature delicately carved trim, typical of the Moorish Revival style.

Tap to explore

Moorish Revival Archways

Above the balconies are further examples of Moorish Revival decor in these ornamental archways.

Tap to explore

Riel House National Historic Site

Louis David Riel, one of the founders of the Manitoba province, lived from 1844 to 1885. He was an outspoken activist for the Métis people from the Canadian prairie region. 

Tap to explore

Riel led two resistance movements against the Canadian government as he fought to protect the land and culture of the Métis people. This National Historic Site, located in the St. Vital parish of Winnipeg, Manitoba, is where Riel resided for several periods of his life.

Tap to explore

Riel House National Historic Site

Louis David Riel, one of the founders of the Manitoba province, lived from 1844 to 1885. He was an outspoken activist for the Métis people from the Canadian prairie region.

Tap to explore

Riel led two resistance movements against the Canadian government as he fought to protect the land and culture of the Métis people.

Tap to explore

Adjacent Grounds

Just outside the fenced-in ground is a small picnic area where school groups or tourists can enjoy lunch outdoors. There’s also a small garden within the yard and areas to explore near the parking lot.

Tap to explore

Minnetonka and Saint Vital area

Riel House is located along a residential street between River Road and the Red River in the Minnetonka area of southern Winnipeg, Manitoba. Saint Germain Park and River Point Park are just a few blocks away.

Tap to explore

River Lot Farms

The trees and grass of this National Historic Site provide a verdant oasis among homes in this neighborhood. Immediately adjacent to the house and yard are the River Lot farms, a vital part of Métis life in Canadian history.

Tap to explore

British Columbia Aviation Museum

Located on the grounds of Victoria International Airport on Vancouver Island, the British Columbia Aviation Museum showcases preserved aircrafts and other aviation artifacts. The aircraft collection ranges from a glider prototype built in 1896 to sleek 1970s commercial planes.

Tap to explore

The museum also displays helicopters and engines. The facilities consist of two hangars, a classroom, a restoration workshop, and a gift shop. There's also a Memorial Room exhibiting artifacts from historic Canadian battles.

Tap to explore

Vickers "Viscount" 757

This Vickers “Viscount” 757 served Trans Canada Airlines from 1957 to 1974. After a period of ownership by Harrison Airways, the British Columbia Institute of Technology displayed this plane at Vancouver International Airport before it was sent here.

Tap to explore

Lincoln Sport Aircraft

This Lincoln Sport Aircraft was popularized by a fad for home-built airplanes that swept the nation in the 1920s and ended during the Great Depression, when aircraft parts became very difficult to supply. 

Tap to explore

Noorduyn “Norseman”

The Noorduyn “Norseman” is an example of a “bush plane." Built in 1956, it passed through several owners before it crashed at a mining site in Bronson Creek, B.C. The museum restored it back to working condition. 

Tap to explore

Title: Lockheed T-33 “Silver Star”

The Lockheed T-33 “Silver Star” is a two-seater, training version of a P-80 or F-80. The P-80 was used towards the end of World War II, while the F-80 served at the beginning of the Korean War.

Tap to explore

CN Tower

The CN Tower held the record as the world’s tallest freestanding structure and world’s tallest tower for almost 35 years after its completion in 1976. Those records were broken in 2010 when Burj Khalifa and Canton Tower officially opened.

Tap to explore

360 Restaurant

Built by the railway company Canadian National, the CN Tower serves as both a communications and observation tower in downtown Toronto. For holidays and other special events throughout the year, the tower changes its lighting scheme.

Tap to explore

Built by the railway company Canadian National, the CN Tower serves as both a communications and observation tower in downtown Toronto. For holidays and other special events throughout the year, the tower changes its lighting scheme.

Tap to explore

Toronto Islands

This island chain off the coast of Toronto is home to parks such as Toronto Island Park and Cherry Beach Clarke Beach Park. Toronto Island Park offers an amusement park, beaches, picnic areas, and beautiful views of the city. 

Tap to explore

Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario is the farthest east of the five Great Lakes. Four of these lakes comprise part of the United States–Canada border. Lake Ontario is the smallest Great Lake in surface area, yet has a greater volume than Lake Erie. 

Tap to explore

Downtown Toronto

Surrounding the CN Tower is Toronto's Entertainment District, home to many theaters and performing arts venues. The district also houses the city's four major professional sports teams, family and cultural attractions, and most of Toronto's nightclubs.

Tap to explore

Old Town Lunenburg

Lunenburg is a port town in the county of the same name, on the south shore of the province of Nova Scotia. It was established by three co-founders in 1753, four years after the founding of Halifax.

Tap to explore

Today, it serves as one of the best preserved examples of 18th-century British colonial urban planning, with many wooden buildings still in place from that time. Although the settlement was designed by the British, its first inhabitants were German, Swiss, and French immigrants.

Tap to explore

Theresa E. Connor

The Theresa E. Connor, a fishing schooner, is the flagship exhibit of the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. The last of the saltbank schooners to operate out of Lunenburg, it represents the way of life for generations of Atlantic fisherman.

Tap to explore

Cape Sable

Built in 1962, the Cape Sable is a steel-hulled side trawler that can hold up to 300,000 pounds of fish. Unlike schooners, a side trawler typically only lasts for 8 to 12 days at sea. 

Tap to explore

Architecture in Lunenburg

These red buildings of the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic typify the architecture found throughout Lunenburg. Note the wooden construction, simple style, and bright colors, which you'll find in many of the town’s homes and shops. 

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
Arts & Culture Expeditions
Google Arts & Culture Field Trips
View theme

Interested in Travel?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites