Salt Lake Tabernacle, Salt Lake City

The Salt Lake Tabernacle is an iconic landmark and a place of worship situated in the heart of Salt Lake City, United States. Known for its unique dome-shaped structure, the Tabernacle was completed in 1867 and serves as a key gathering place for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), commonly known as Mormons.

Constructed with a seating capacity of around 7,000, the Tabernacle is renowned for its outstanding acoustics, which allow a speaker at the pulpit to be heard throughout the building without the need for amplification. This architectural marvel was designed to accommodate the large congregation of the LDS Church and to host the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

The building's design features a large, self-supporting dome spanned by bridge-like trusses, making it a pioneering work of engineering for its time. The dome is covered with aluminum and has a striking resemblance to the shell of a turtle, earning the structure the nickname "the Turtle House." The interior is oval in shape and is lined with benches that are arranged in tiers, providing an unobstructed view of the pulpit to those in attendance.

Aside from its religious functions, the Salt Lake Tabernacle is also a cultural hub, hosting numerous concerts, lectures, and other events that draw both locals and visitors from around the world. It is part of the Salt Lake City Historic District and is situated on Temple Square, which is a popular tourist destination in the city.

Visitors to the Tabernacle can experience the magnificent organ, which is one of the largest and most intricate in the world, with 11,623 pipes. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's performances and rehearsals are open to the public, and they offer a chance to witness the exceptional musical tradition that the choir upholds.