Northeast Landmarks: Franciscan Monastery

Brookland has a decidedly Catholic influence, with icons like the Franciscan Monastery anchoring the neighborhood. The Franciscans are the official guardians of the Holy Places, and their presence in the Holy Land goes back to the Order of Friars Minor, founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209. But it wasn’t until February 1898, when ground was broken and the cornerstone for the monastery’s church was laid on the Feast of St. Joseph. The church was built in the neo-Byzantine style, resembling Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.
 
The monastery has been called "A Holy Land in America" and contain replicas of shrines in the Holy Land, a Lourdes Grotto, and a replica of the Porziuncola.

Guided tours are offered daily. The history, the art, and the gardens make this a must-see for both residents and visitors.