Top 20 interesting churches and cathedrals

Top 20 interesting churches and cathedrals in Europe visited by us. Here are some interesting details about each one of them:

1.Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Paris – France:

• Located on the Montmartre hill, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica offers an impressive view of the city of Paris.
• Its construction was completed in 1914, and its architectural style is a combination of Romanesque-Byzantine and French romantic styles.
• The interior is richly decorated, with an imposing dome and bright stained glass windows.

2. Notre-Dame Cathedral, Strasbourg – France:

• This impressive Gothic cathedral dates back to the 15th century.
• Its main tower, the Tour de Strasbourg, measures 142 meters and offers a panoramic view of the city.
• Inside the cathedral, in addition to the stained glass windows dating from the 12th-14th centuries, there is a Renaissance-specific work: a mechanical astronomical clock.

3. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City – Vatican:

• One of the most important churches in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica is considered a symbol of Christianity and papal power.
• Construction of the basilica began in 1506 and was completed in 1626. Its dome, designed by Michelangelo, is one of the largest in the world.
• The interior of the basilica houses numerous works of priceless art, including Michelangelo’s Pietà and Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Baldachin above the High Altar.

4. Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari Church, Venice – Italy:

• The Franciscan church in Venice is one of the most important churches in the city and houses numerous famous works of art.
• Its construction began in the 14th century, and the rich interior is decorated with works by artists such as Titian, Giovanni Bellini, and Donatello.
• The highlight of the church is the main chapel, which houses the tomb of Titian.

5. Marseille Cathedral, Marseille – France:

• This impressive Romanesque-Byzantine cathedral rises above the old port of Marseille and is a symbol of the city.
• Its construction began in the 12th century, and its design is reminiscent of the famous Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
• The interior is richly decorated, and its immense dome offers a spectacular view of the city and the sea.

6. St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice – Italy:

• It is a Byzantine basilica and one of the most important churches in Venice, housing the relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist.
• Its construction began in the 9th century, and the interior is decorated with spectacular Byzantine mosaics and valuable works of art.
• The five domes and ornate façade are distinctive features of the basilica.

7. Florence Cathedral (Duomo), Florence – Italy:

• An impressive Gothic cathedral, one of the largest churches in the world and a symbol of the city of Florence.
• Its dome, designed by Brunelleschi, is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and is known for its innovative construction technique.
• The façade and interior of the cathedral are decorated with white, green, and pink marble, and the dome offers a panoramic view of the city.

8. Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea, Amalfi – Italia:

• The impressive Romanesque-Byzantine cathedral is located in the heart of Amalfi and is dedicated to Saint Andrew.
• Built in the 9th century, the cathedral is known for its spectacular façade and impressive bell tower.
• The interior is richly decorated with Byzantine mosaics and works of art.

9. Westminster Abbey, London – United Kingdom:

• This Gothic cathedral in London is an important royal church and a place of coronation and burial for British monarchs.
• Its construction began in the 11th century, and its interior houses royal tombs, monuments, and tombs of many important historical figures.
• The façade and bell tower are impressive features of the cathedral.

10. Cologne Cathedral, Cologne – Germany:

• This impressive Gothic cathedral is one of the largest in the world and a symbol of the city of Cologne.
• Its construction began in 1248 and was completed in the 19th century. Its façades decorated with sculptures and stained glass windows are remarkable.
• Its towers raised to 157 meters offer a spectacular view of the city.

11. Ulm Minster, Ulm – Germania:

• This Gothic cathedral has the tallest church spire in the world, measuring 161.5 meters.
• Its construction began in the 14th century, and construction work continued for centuries. The interior is richly decorated with stained glass windows and sculptures.
• The cathedral is a popular tourist attraction and offers a panoramic view of the city from the observation platform at the top of the bell tower.

12. Berliner Dom, Berlin – Germania:

• The impressive neo-Gothic cathedral is located on Museum Island and is a symbol of the city.
• Its construction began in 1894 and was completed in 1905. Its richly decorated interior houses royal tombs and an impressive high altar.
• Its huge dome offers a spectacular view of the city and the River Spree.

13. Frauenkirche, Dresden – Germany:

• The Baroque church was rebuilt after the destruction of World War II and is now a symbol of reconstruction and reconciliation.
• Its interior is richly decorated, and its impressive dome is visible from a distance in the city.
• The church is a place of worship and reflection, as well as an important tourist attraction in the reconstructed city.

14. Stephansdom, Viena – Austria:

• The impressive Gothic cathedral is one of the most important churches in Austria and a symbol of the city of Vienna.
• Its construction began in the 12th century, and its interior is richly decorated with mosaics, sculptures, and stained glass windows.
• Its main tower, Steffl, is an iconic symbol of the city and offers a panoramic view of Vienna.

15. Grossmünster, Zürich – Elveția:

• The Romanesque cathedral in Zurich is one of the oldest and most important churches in the country.
• Legend has it that this is where Charlemagne discovered the graves of saints Felix and Regula.
• The cathedral is a symbol of the city and hosts exhibitions and cultural concerts, as well as regular religious services.

16. Duomo di Milano, Milano – Italia:

• It is the largest cathedral in Italy and one of the largest Gothic churches in the world.
• Its construction began in the 14th century and lasted over six centuries.
• The cathedral is famous for its imposing Gothic architecture, with numerous statues and complex ornaments.
• It has a spectacular façade, decorated with over 3,400 statues and religious representations.
• Inside, the cathedral houses sacred relics and remarkable works of art, including the famous Madonnina di Oro altar.

17. Würzburger Dom, Würzburg – Germania:

• It is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the city of Würzburg in Bavaria.
• The construction of the cathedral began in the 11th century, and its current appearance is mainly Romanesque.
• The cathedral has been restored and modified over the centuries, and today it is one of the most important historical and cultural monuments in the city.
• It is known for its beautiful medieval stained glass windows, its crypt, and the chapel of St. Kilian, which houses the relics of the city’s patron saint.

18. Notre-Dame de Paris, Paris – Franța:

• It is one of the most famous Gothic cathedrals in the world and one of the most important historical monuments in France.
• Its construction began in the 12th century and lasted for almost two centuries.
• The cathedral is renowned for its impressive façade, with its twin towers, and its magnificent stained glass windows.
• In April 2019, the cathedral suffered a devastating fire that affected its roof, but restoration efforts are ongoing.

19. Mainzer Dom, Mainz – Germania:

• The Mainz Cathedral is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture, with its tall towers, Gothic arches, and beautiful stained glass windows.
• The cathedral houses some of the oldest and most impressive stained glass windows in Europe.
• Beneath the cathedral lies an impressive crypt, dating back to the 10th century. Here lie the tombs of several archbishops and important local leaders, as well as valuable religious relics.

20. St. Petri Dom, Bremen – Germania:

• It is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the historic center of the city of Bremen.
• The construction of the cathedral began in the 11th century and was completed in the 13th century.
• It is an example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, with its main façade dominated by two twin towers.
• The interior is richly decorated with stained glass windows, sculptures, and medieval paintings, and the crypt houses the tombs of several archbishops and rulers of the city.