🔗 Share this article

Throughout the continent, countless cathedrals stand as monuments of belief, heritage, and stunning artistry. From contemporary masterpieces to ancient sanctuaries, here are a selection of the most remarkable examples recommended by knowledgeable visitors.

A Contemporary Marvel in Norway

Commonly known as the Ishavskatedralen, the Tromsøysund parish church in northern Norway is a remarkable example of 20th-century architecture. The simple, elegant exterior mirrors the surrounding scenery and evokes traditional Sami dwellings. Within, visitors will find what are arguably the most comfortable church benches anyone could ever sit on. A breathtaking glass mosaic portraying the Return of Christ might not be for everyone, but it exudes a profound feeling of majesty. Leaving the impressive building after an organ recital to see the aurora borealis flickering in the sky is an awe-inspiring experience.

Panoramic Vistas and Artistic Legacy in the French Riviera

I never understood what visitors seek in churches. The Monastère Notre Dame de Cimiez was different.

The gardens bursting with blooms and plants provide a spectacular vista over the city. A graveyard there holds the grave of painter Matisse, but it is the small chapel that truly captures the spirit of a place of worship. Although it would never compare to grander buildings, that is precisely its charm. It has unobtrusively absorbed generations of belief. Being there produced a feeling beyond mere calm or serenity; it was a deep understanding of the solace such spaces can provide.

Domes and Rotundas in Northern Italy

Tucked away within a maze of piazzas and winding streets, Brescia's 17th-century New Cathedral is a classic example of Italy's ecclesiastical art, boasting stunning marble and massive cupolas. Yet, the real gem of the complex is the Old Cathedral, finished in the 1100s. This medieval rotunda, with an underground crypt, is brimming with historical charm and character. Collectively, Brescia's two main churches serve as a perfect snapshot of Italy's architectural evolution.

A Concrete and Stained Glass Wonder in the German Ruhr

South of the city of Essen in the municipality of this location rises one of the world's most individual and striking religious buildings. Mary, Queen of Peace, also known as the Neviges Pilgrimage Church, is a modernist masterpiece built between 1966 and 1968. Asymmetric balconies of raw concrete and dazzling coloured windows form a soaring, light-filled interior of warmth that challenges easy categorization as "brutalist". Furthermore, the allure of this tourist-free location is the nearby 13-kilometer Wuppertaler Schwebebahn, an amazing feat of transport engineering.

Mountain Views from Lausanne Cathedral

Perched high above Lausanne, the cathedral offers sweeping vistas that extend from the picturesque historic centre all the way to the Lake Geneva and the distant Alps. Admission to the cathedral is free, and for a small fee, you can ascend the bell tower. Aside from its impressive gothic architecture and spectacular panoramas, this 12th-century edifice presents a varied schedule of free performances, exhibits, and events, making it a popular cultural hub in the nation's most lively cultural centre.

An Orkney Shrine Created by WWII Detainees

Seeing the Italian Chapel in the Orkney Islands is a profoundly moving experience with the skill and faith of its creators. During the Second World War, following a plea from the chaplain, artist Domenico Chiocchetti and his fellow prisoners converted two joined Nissen huts into a place of worship. Using leftover materials of whatever they could find, they created a beautiful space imbued with hope and serenity amidst a time of war—an uplifting place to see decades later.

The Restless Gargoyles of Southern France

The pink sandstone cathedral in the town of Rodez dominates the horizon for kilometres around. Set on a hill overlooking the Aveyron River, this huge, castle-like medieval wonder has survived hundreds of years of construction, plague, and war. The interior is a gasp-inducing chamber of arched roofs and soaring columns, all framing a colossal pipe organ. The intricately carved pews and misericords are worn smooth by time. The true attention, however, is often drawn to the hypnotic stare of the hundreds of twisting grotesques that appear to burst out of the exterior walls. They look less carved and more preserved in stone, like ancient protectors of this beautiful basilica.

Mysterious Beauty in an English Meadow

The church of St Oswald in Widford stands isolated in a meadow, reachable solely by a uneven track. Parking on a nearby verge, you make their way to a structure that looks more like a barn from a far away. Its construction is primarily from the 13th century, but inside, traces of an older Saxon or early Norman church can be seen. Archaeological digs have uncovered ancient Roman tiles and fragments of medieval wall paintings. Box pews from the 1700s are still in place. The resulting effect is one of mysterious, beautiful, and powerful stillness.

A Stunning Paint Job in Arbanasi, Bulgaria

The village, near Veliko Tarnovo, is the location of one of the most visually overwhelming churches one could encounter. Externally, the Church of the Nativity is rather unassuming—a characteristic possibly designed to not attract attention during the Ottoman rule. The inside, in contrast, more than makes up for it. Every conceivable inch of wall and ceiling is adorned with vibrant Orthodox icons and biblical scenes. The result is utterly breathtaking and immersive.

Winning Tip: Beautiful Windows in the English Countryside

The small church in Tudeley, Kent, established in the 1100s, is architecturally rather simple. Its true glory, however, lies in its windows. All twelve were designed by the renowned artist Marc Chagall. It started in 1963 with a memorial window in memory of a family's child. Chagall was so impressed by the church that he offered to create the other windows, a work finished in 1985. The glasswork feature a dazzling spectrum of blue hues. Sitting amidst this cascade of colour in a peaceful setting is a profoundly calming sensation. Entry to this extraordinary place is gratis.