🔗 Share this article

Across Europe, numerous cathedrals serve as monuments of faith, history, and stunning artistry. Ranging from modernist creations to centuries-old havens, we present a selection of the most captivating examples recommended by knowledgeable travelers.

A Modernist Delight in Norway

Commonly known as the Ishavskatedralen, the Tromsøysund parish church in Tromsø is a striking example of modernist architecture. The clean, graceful exterior mirrors the surrounding landscape and echoes historic local huts. Within, guests can discover what are arguably the most comfortable pews anyone could hope to sit on. One stunning glass mosaic portraying the Return of Christ may not appeal to everyone, but it exudes a profound feeling of grandeur. Leaving the impressive structure after an musical performance to see the aurora borealis dancing overhead is an awe-inspiring moment.

Serene Views and Historic Graves in the French Riviera

For a long time, I didn't grasp what visitors seek in old churches. This monastery in Cimiez was different.

Its grounds filled with blooms and plants provide a magnificent panorama of Nice. A graveyard on-site holds the resting place of artist Matisse, but it is the tiny sanctuary that genuinely captures the essence of a church. Although it would never compare to more ornate establishments, that is exactly the point. It has unobtrusively absorbed centuries of belief. Sitting there produced a feeling beyond mere peace or tranquility; it was a profound understanding of the comfort these places can provide.

Cupolas and Round Churches in Northern Italy

Nestled within a maze of squares and winding alleys, Brescia's 17th-century Duomo Nuovo is a classic example of Italy's ecclesiastical art, featuring stunning marble and imposing domes. However, the true highlight of the site is the Old Cathedral, finished in the 12th century. This medieval round church, with an underground crypt, is brimming with history and atmosphere. Together, Brescia's two main churches act as a microcosm of Italy's architectural evolution.

A Glass and Concrete Masterpiece in the German Ruhr

South of Essen in the municipality of Neviges stands one of the planet's most individual and striking religious buildings. Maria, Königin des Friedens, also known as Mariendom, is a modernist masterpiece built from 1966 and 1968. Uneven balconies of concrete and dazzling coloured windows create a soaring, luminous interior of welcome that challenges simple labels as "brutalist". Adding to the appeal of this tourist-free location is the close-by 8-mile Wuppertal Suspension Railway, an incredible feat of engineering.

Mountain Views from Lausanne Cathedral

Perched high above Lausanne, the Gothic cathedral commands sweeping vistas that extend from the charming old town down to the Lake Geneva and the distant Alpine peaks. Admission to the church is complimentary, and for a modest charge, you can ascend the spire. Aside from its remarkable gothic architecture and spectacular views, this 12th-century edifice hosts a diverse schedule of free performances, exhibits, and events, making it a key cultural hub in Switzerland's most lively cultural centre.

An Orkney Shrine Created by Italian Prisoners of War

A visit to the Italian Chapel in the Orkney Islands is a profoundly moving experience with the craftsmanship and faith of its creators. During the 1940s, following a plea from the camp priest, painter Chiocchetti and his fellow prisoners transformed a pair of military huts into a chapel. Using leftover materials of metal, wood, and paint, they fashioned a profoundly beautiful sanctuary full of love and peace amidst a global conflict—an uplifting place to visit decades on.

The Restless Gargoyles of Rodez, France

This pink sandstone cathedral in the town of Rodez towers over the skyline for kilometres in every direction. Set high up above the Aveyron River, this immense, castle-like medieval marvel has weathered hundreds of years of construction, plague, and war. Inside is a awe-inspiring chamber of arched roofs and towering columns, all framing a colossal pipe organ. The elaborately decorated pews and misericords are worn smooth by ages. The true gaze, though, is often captured by the hypnotic stare of the hundreds of twisting gargoyles that seem to erupt from the outside stonework. They seem less carved and more fossilised, like primeval protectors of this striking church.

Mysterious Beauty in an Oxfordshire Field

St Oswald's in this hamlet stands isolated in a meadow, accessible only by a uneven footpath. Leaving your car on a adjacent verge, visitors walk towards a structure that resembles a barn from a distance. Its construction is primarily from the 1200s, but inside, traces of an earlier Saxon or early Norman structure become visible. Excavations have uncovered Roman floor mosaics and partially uncovered medieval wall paintings. Box pews from the 1700s remain in situ. The overall effect is one of mysterious, beautiful, and powerful tranquility.

A Stunning Paint Job in Arbanasi, Bulgaria

Arbanasi, close to Veliko Tarnovo, is home to one of the most magnificent Orthodox churches one could imagine. Externally, the Nativity Church is rather unassuming—a characteristic possibly intended to not attract attention during the Ottoman rule. The inside, in contrast, more than makes up for it. Virtually every surface is adorned with vibrant Orthodox icons and biblical scenes. The result is utterly breathtaking and all-encompassing.

Winning Tip: Beautiful Windows in Kent, England

The small church in Tudeley, Kent, founded in the 1100s, is structurally quite ordinary. The church's true glory, though, lies in its windows. All twelve were designed by the renowned painter Chagall. It started in 1963 with a memorial window in memory of a local couple's child. Chagall was so impressed by the site that he offered to create the remaining panes, a task completed in 1985. The glasswork feature a dazzling spectrum of blues. Sitting amidst this sea of blue in a peaceful setting is a profoundly calming sensation. Admission to this extraordinary treasure is gratis.