🔗 Share this article

Throughout the continent, countless cathedrals serve as testaments to faith, history, and breathtaking craftsmanship. Ranging from modernist masterpieces to ancient sanctuaries, here are some of the most captivating examples as shared by discerning travelers.

A Modernist Delight in the Norwegian Arctic

Often called the Ishavskatedralen, the Tromsøysund parish church in Tromsø is a striking specimen of modernist architecture. The clean, graceful exterior reflects the nearby scenery and echoes traditional local huts. Within, visitors will find possibly the most cozy church benches anyone could hope to sit on. A stunning mural of glass depicting Christ's Second Coming might not appeal to everyone, but it radiates a profound sense of grandeur. Exiting this impressive building following an musical performance to witness the aurora borealis dancing in the sky is an unforgettable moment.

Panoramic Vistas and Historic Graves in Nice, France

For a long time, I didn't grasp what people find in old churches. This monastery in Cimiez changed that.

The grounds filled with blooms and plants offer a magnificent vista over Nice. The cemetery on-site contains the resting place of painter Henri Matisse, but it is the tiny sanctuary that genuinely captures the spirit of a place of worship. Although it would never compare to grander establishments, that is precisely its charm. For centuries, it has unobtrusively soaked up centuries of faith. Sitting there produced a feeling greater than mere peace or tranquility; it was a deep understanding of the comfort such spaces offer.

Domes and Rotundas in Brescia, Italy

Nestled within a maze of squares and winding streets, Brescia's Baroque New Cathedral is a prime illustration of Italian religious art, featuring stunning marble and imposing cupolas. However, the true highlight of the site is the Old Cathedral, completed in the 1100s. This romanesque rotunda, including an underground crypt, is overflowing with historical charm and character. Together, Brescia's two main churches serve as a microcosm of the country's changing building styles.

A Glass and Concrete Wonder in Germany

South of Essen in the town of Neviges rises one of the planet's most individual and striking cathedrals. Maria, Königin des Friedens, or Mariendom, is a modernist masterpiece built from 1966 and 1968. Asymmetric galleries of raw concrete and dazzling stained glass create a lofty, light-filled space of welcome that challenges easy categorization as "cold". Furthermore, the appeal of this less-visited destination is the nearby 13-kilometer Wuppertal Suspension Railway, an amazing feat of transport engineering.

Mountain Views from a Swiss Gothic Landmark

Situated prominently above Lausanne, the Gothic cathedral offers sweeping vistas stretching from the picturesque old town down to the Lake Geneva and the distant Alps. Entry to the cathedral is free, and for a small fee, visitors can ascend the spire. Beyond its remarkable medieval structure and breathtaking views, this 12th-century edifice hosts a diverse programme of free performances, exhibits, and events, making it a popular cultural hub in the nation's most lively artistic city.

An Orkney Shrine Built by WWII Detainees

Seeing the chapel on Lamb Holm in the Orkney Islands is a humbling encounter with the craftsmanship and faith of its creators. In the Second World War, at the request of the camp priest, artist Domenico Chiocchetti and his fellow prisoners transformed two joined Nissen huts into a chapel. Using scraps of metal, wood, and paint, they created a beautiful sanctuary imbued with love and peace during a global conflict—an inspiring place to visit many years on.

The Restless Gargoyles of Southern France

The rose-coloured stone cathedral in Rodez dominates the skyline for kilometres in every direction. Perched on a hill overlooking the River Aveyron, this immense, castle-like medieval marvel has survived hundreds of years of history's tumult. The interior is a awe-inspiring space of vaulted ceilings and soaring columns, centered around a colossal pipe organ. Its intricately carved seats and ledges are polished smooth by ages. One's gaze, though, is often drawn to the hypnotic stare of the scores of twisting grotesques that seem to erupt from the exterior walls. They seem less carved and more fossilised, like ancient guardians of this striking basilica.

Hidden History in an Oxfordshire Field

St Oswald's in Widford stands in a remote field, reachable solely by a rough footpath. Parking on a adjacent verge, you walk to a structure that looks more like a farm building from a far away. The building is primarily from the 1200s, but within, evidence of an earlier pre-Norman church become visible. Archaeological digs have uncovered ancient Roman tiles and partially uncovered 14th-century wall paintings. Enclosed seating from the 18th century remain in situ. The resulting atmosphere is one of mysterious, beautiful, and powerful tranquility.

An Interior Canvas in Bulgaria

The village, close to Veliko Tarnovo, is the location of one of the most visually overwhelming churches anyone could encounter. From the outside, the Church of the Nativity is rather plain—a characteristic possibly designed to not attract attention during the Ottoman rule. Its interior, however, is a different story entirely. Every conceivable inch of wall and ceiling is adorned with luminous Orthodox icons and biblical scenes. The effect is utterly overwhelming and immersive.

Winning Tip: Beautiful Windows in the English Countryside

All Saints Church in Tudeley, Kent, established in the 12th century, is structurally quite ordinary. Its remarkable feature, though, is its windows. All twelve were created by the renowned artist Chagall. It started in 1963 with a memorial window in memory of a local couple's child. Chagall was so taken with the church that he offered to design the remaining windows, a work completed in 1985. The windows showcase a magnificent spectrum of blues. Being surrounded by this cascade of colour in a serene setting is a blissful sensation. Entry to this unique treasure is free.