14 of the World’s Most Impressive Churches and Cathedrals

While travelling around the world, many people love to visit the old churches and cathedrals that are still standing in various cities. These are some of the most impressive that can still be seen today.

1. Hagia Sophia, Turkey

(photo by vlx)

This church is recognized as a World Heritage Site and was built from 532 to 537. It was also considered for one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. While it originally served as a church it’s now used as a museum.

2. Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Ivory Coast

(photo by jspier)

This is thought to be the largest church in the world. It was built from 1985 to 1989 for the price of $300 million. When the basilica was built the cost of it actually doubled the nation’s debt.

3. Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia, Barcelona, Spain

(photo by elonardo)

This magnificent structure is dedicated to a young girl known as Eulàlia of Barcelona. She was considered a martyr way back in Barcelona’s Roman times. There are 13 white geese at the cathedral in her honor.

4. Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Italy

(photo by giovanni_novara1)

This location is also known as Cathedral Square. It’s home to four wonderful medieval art symbols. These include the Duomo and the Leaning Tower. The Duomo is a cathedral that was constructed round the year 1000.

5. St. Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

(photo by tostie14)

St. Joseph’s sits on Mount Royal’s Northern slope in Montreal and attracts over two million visitors a year. The church was constructed by Brother Andre and was dedicated to Saint Joseph. It’s believed that Andre was a healer and he helped many people to walk after curing them. Some of the crutches that were used by people he healed are there on display.

6. St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow, Russia

(photo by mdiocuh_galeals )

This magnificent cathedral sits in Moscow’s famousRed Square. It’s quite unique as it features some colourful onion domes. It is a wonderful combination of Asian and European architectural styles.

7. Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy

(photo by dkrape)

This cathedral is well known for its large dome which was designed by a man named Filippo Brunelleschi, who was recognized as one of the best architects in Renaissance time.

8. Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres, Chartres, France

(photo by ell-r-brown)

This is a wonderful building made in French-Gothic style. There are two different spires on the façade of the cathedral. One of them is a plain pyramid and the other is a Flamboyant spire that dates back to the start of the 16^th century.

9. Hallgrimsskirkja, Reykjavík, Iceland

(photo by bobtravis)

This is a Lutheran church which is the largest in all of Iceland. It has a distinct façade and took close to 40 years to construct. It was made to look like the country’s lava flows.

10. Westerkerk, Amsterdam, Holland

(photo by yorick)

This church lies next to Amsterdam’s Prinsengracht Canal, as well as the Anne Frank House. It’s the burial place of Rembrandt van Rijn and Westerkerk is home to the tallest spire in the city.

11. Las Lajas Sanctuary, Ipiales, Colombia

(photo by stevemonty)

This basilica sits in the Guáitara River canyon in Colombia. A mysterious picture of the Virgin Mary was found painted on a stone in a cave at this site years ago. The beautiful church was constructed on top of the cave between 1916 and 1949.

12. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City

(photo by longeneckerlaura)

St Peter’s is the biggest building in Vatican City. It’s known as the Pope’s main church even though it’s not recognized as his official seat. Pope Pius XII stated back in 1950 that St. Peter’s remains were found underneath the basilica’s foundation.

13. Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, Seville, Spain

(photo by logicalrealist)

This structure is also referred to as the Seville Cathedral of Spain. It’s the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world and was consecrated back in 1507. Christopher Columbus is also buried here.

14. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., USA

(photo by joeruny)

This basilica is known as America’s biggest Catholic Church. It was constructed between 1920 and 1961and attracts about a million visitors each year.