There are numerous wonderful churches in the world, making it very difficult to choose the best ones. Nevertheless, I’ll try!
Table of Contents
The most beautiful churches in the world
Sagrada Família (Barcelona)
For me, this is the most beautiful church in the world. It’s a must-see attraction from the inside for anyone visiting Barcelona!
It was designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, who played a role in many of the city’s buildings. Construction began in 1882 and is progressing extremely slowly due to the complexity of the plans. Work is still ongoing, and when completed, it will be the largest basilica in the world.
Its length from the apse to the northern end is 90 meters and it’s 45 meters wide. Its interior height reaches 75 meters. Features of several styles can be found. The architects before Gaudí designed a neo-Catalan building, which is a type of neo-Gothic style. Gaudí himself further developed it in the spirit of modernism.
St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican)
The largest and most significant church of the Roman Catholic Church, and also the seat of the papacy. The basilica is one of the holiest sites in Christianity and attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists annually.
The original church was built around 324 during the reign of Emperor Constantine I, above the tomb of Saint Peter the Apostle. Construction of the current basilica began in 1506 under Pope Julius II and was completed in 1626 under Pope Urban VIII. Many famous Renaissance and Baroque artists and architects participated in the construction, including Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini.
St. Peter’s Square is located in front of the basilica, designed by Bernini. The square is surrounded by two semicircular colonnades. Inside, there are numerous artistic creations, including Michelangelo’s Pietà.
Seville Cathedral
One of Spain’s most significant and impressive buildings, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
It is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third-largest church in the Christian world. The 15th-century cathedral was built on the site of a former Moorish mosque, some elements of which were incorporated into the new structure.
Its outstanding feature is the 104-meter-high Giralda tower. The cathedral’s bell tower was originally the minaret of the Moorish mosque. On top of it is a 4-meter-high bronze statue, the „Giraldillo”.
St. Paul’s Cathedral (London)
The cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of London and an important symbol of English national identity.
The current cathedral is the fifth on the site; its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Construction of the new one began in 1675 based on Sir Christopher Wren’s designs and was completed in 1711.
The cathedral’s most famous feature is the dome. Inside, 30 meters high, is the Whispering Gallery. It’s famous for its special acoustics: a whisper along the wall can be clearly heard on the opposite side of the gallery.
Many famous personalities rest in the crypt, including Admiral Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, and Sir Christopher Wren.
Wat Arun (Bangkok)
One of Bangkok’s most iconic and beautiful Buddhist temples is located on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, opposite the Royal Palace.
Its name means „Temple of Dawn”, referring to the sight of the first rays of the rising sun glinting off the temple’s decorations. Much of these come from Chinese porcelain plates and cups.
The central pagoda is a Khmer-style tower that symbolizes Mount Meru in Hindu-Buddhist cosmology. At its base are statues depicting mythological creatures and demons. We can climb to different levels of the tower via a steep staircase, offering a wonderful view.
Bangkok attractions, temples, markets
Milan Cathedral
The symbol of Milan is one of the masterpieces of Italian Gothic architecture.
Its construction lasted nearly six centuries, from 1386 until the end of the 19th century. The cathedral is the third-largest Catholic church in the world. From its roof, there’s a beautiful view of the city and the Alps on clear days.
Its exterior is decorated with more than 3,400 statues depicting saints, biblical figures, and mythological creatures. The roof of the church is crowned by 135 stone spires, the highest of which is the 108.5-meter main tower, topped by the famous „Madonnina” statue.
Hagia Sophia (Istanbul)
One of the most outstanding works of Turkish architecture and a symbol of Istanbul.
Originally built as a Christian church in 537 during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, it was the largest church in the world for nearly a thousand years. Under Turkish rule, it was a mosque, then a museum, and since 2020, it has been functioning as a mosque again.
Its two distinctive features are the dome and the minarets. The nearly 56-meter-high dome has 40 windows. The mosque has four minarets that were added to the building during Ottoman rule. Their height and style differ slightly, reflecting the different times of their construction.
Notre-Dame (Paris)
One of the most well-known among the numerous iconic buildings of the French capital.
The cathedral is an outstanding example of French Gothic architecture, particularly famous for its western facade, which features two monumental towers, rich sculptural decoration, and a large rose window.
Many people don’t know that Notre-Dame’s organ is a huge musical treasure. Many consider Notre-Dame’s 113-register, five-manual grand organ to be one of the best instruments in the world.
The reconstruction of the temple, which was severely damaged in the 2019 fire, is fortunately nearing its end, so it will soon reopen its doors to visitors.
Golden Temple (India)
Officially named Harmandir Sahib, the holiest site of the Sikh religion is located in the Indian city of Amritsar.
It got its name from its upper level covered in gold, which was donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19th century. The temple is located in the middle of an artificial lake, the Amrit Sarovar, accessed by a long marble bridge. The building’s four entrances symbolize that it’s open to people of all castes, religions, and nationalities.
Part of the complex is a huge community kitchen, the Langar, where free food is served daily to up to 100,000 pilgrims and visitors.
Cologne Cathedral
The construction of this Gothic cathedral lasted for several centuries, from 1248 to 1880. This resulted in a monumental church.
It’s Germany’s largest Gothic church and the world’s third-tallest cathedral, with twin towers reaching 157 meters high. Its interior is also impressive: it has five naves, and the vault of the main nave is 43 meters high.
The cathedral houses numerous artistic treasures, including the Shrine of the Three Kings, one of the most significant goldsmith works of the Middle Ages. The building has 10,000 square meters of stained glass windows, many of which are original, medieval creations. The western facade of the cathedral is particularly impressive, with its richly decorated portals and rose window.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral (New York)
The Big Apple isn’t famous for its churches, but this one definitely stands out!
Located in the heart of Manhattan on Fifth Avenue, opposite the Rockefeller Center. The cathedral is impressive in its size: 123 meters long, 53 meters wide, and the towers reach 100 meters high. The building is made of white marble, creating a contrast with the surrounding skyscrapers.
The building contains 21 altars and 19 bells and can accommodate 2,200 people. It has been the site of many significant events, including the funeral service for President Kennedy’s brother, Robert F. Kennedy, in 1968.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque (Abu Dhabi)
The most impressive building in the capital of the United Arab Emirates is named after the country’s first president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The mosque is built of white Greek and Macedonian marble, decorated with gold, semi-precious stones, crystals, and ceramics. The main building is crowned by 82 domes, the largest of which is 85 meters high and 32.8 meters in diameter. It can accommodate up to 40,000 worshippers at once.
The mosque’s courtyard is lined with 1,000 columns, each decorated with intricate floral mosaic patterns. Inside the building is the world’s largest hand-woven carpet, covering an area of 5,700 square meters and weighing 47 tons. A huge chandelier hangs in the main prayer hall, weighing 12 tons and decorated with Swarovski crystals.
Salt Lake Temple (Salt Lake City)
One of the most important buildings of the Mormon Church is located in the capital of Utah.
The temple was built in Neo-Romanesque style, with granite walls up to 2.7 meters thick. The building is 68 meters high and has six towers, the tallest of which is 64 meters, topped with a gilded statue of the Angel Moroni.
Its peculiarity is that – unlike many other religious buildings – only members of the Mormon Church who meet certain church requirements can enter. Nevertheless, it’s definitely worth seeing as it’s an impressive sight from the outside as well.
Senso-ji Temple (Tokyo)
One of the oldest and most famous Buddhist temples, which legend says was founded in 628.
The complex consists of several buildings, including the main hall, a five-story pagoda, and numerous smaller shrines. The main hall houses the temple’s holiest object, the Kannon statue, which is kept hidden from public view.
It’s the site of numerous festivals and celebrations, including the famous Sanja Matsuri in May. The temple is particularly spectacular in spring when the cherry trees are in bloom, and at night when the buildings are illuminated.
