Which Cathedrals and Churches do you recommend?

Probably the most famous was St Basil's (built by Ivan's slaves).

Charlemagne's Palace Chapel in the Aachener Dom - it was modeled after the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Israel and his bones (supposedly) lie in the reliquary in the chapel. St. Ursula's Church in Cologne - she is the city's patron saint and the church is small and intimate. The statues of ladies in the second-floor galleries are two-sided to face both the people on the ground floor and the people in the galleries. When the choir sings, the ladies seem to be singing too. The Dom in Trier - the oldest Christian church north of the Alps (with a SICK Baroque interior!) Constantine's Basilica in Trier - built around 310, one of two largest Roman interiors in existence (the other is the Pantheon), and now Trier's major Protestant church St. Michael's Church in Hildesheim - dates from the 11th century; bombed in World War II and rebuilt. The twisting column inside has scenes from the life of Christ and is a copy of the original, designed by Bishop Bernward in the 11th century. He also designed the bronze doors of St. Mary's Cathedral in Hildesheim, now in a local museum. St. Magnus Church in Braunschweig - dates from the 11th century. Half of it was destroyed during World War II and in 1960 was rebuilt in a modern style. A very unique church! I find church ruins very haunting and spiritual - here are some I recommend: Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedaechtnis-Kirche in Berlin - built in 1895, destroyed in 1943. It was left as a memorial to war victims. St. Nikolai Memorial in Hamburg - begun in the 12th century, destroyed in World War II and left as a memorial to war victims. Ruins of the Villiers-la-Ville monastery complex in Belgium Ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian church (next to the intact monastery) in Walkenried, Germany.

I'll limit my picks to choices that wouldn't be so obvious (ie, Notre Dame or Chartres...): Aachen, Germany- Partially for the history, partially for the unique octagonal design of the naive. As soon as you walk in, you get this unique sense that something important happened here a very long time ago. Alexander Nevsky in Sofia, Bulgaria- Even though it isn't that old, it just feels old and mysterious. I can almost imagine the icons on the wall coming alive and chanting with each other when the church is empty. St. Isaac's, St. Petersburg, Russia: Although of less ecclesiastic importance than St. Peter's in Rome, in design and majesty, this would be the Russian Orthodox counterpart. Basillica of the Sacred Heart, Brussels, Belgium: This is that green-domed cathedral that you can see off in the far distance as you climb the steps by the national library. As far as I know, this is the world's only Art Deco cathedral. Wawel Cathedral, Krakow, Poland: Because it looks like some giant 5 year old kid build it out of the leftover parts of several other churches he accidentally destroyed. Sint-Quintinuskathedraal, Hasselt, Belgium: Personal reasons. Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal, Antwerp, Belgium: Late Gothic on steroids and filled with extravagent works of counter-reformation art by Rubens. The Nieuwe and Oude Kerk, Delft, Netherlands: Noteworthy as stark contrasts to the extravagant Catholic churches on the other side of the Scheldt river. They're both huge and Oude Kerk's tower looks like it's about to fall over into the adjacent canal.

Just off the top of my head, the first one that springs to mind is the cathedral in Köln. Pictures just don't show how incredibly huge it is. I remember walking around town and turning around periodically to say "jeez, that thing is huge." We happened to be there on my mom's birthday the year that she died. She was a big traveler, too, so we went to mass there and lit a candle for her.

The Chagall windows in Mainz were interesting. But for me, the WOW for windows was Saint Chapelle in Paris. For history Notre Dame, Paris. And San Giovanni in Laterno in Rome. There are so many interesting churches, but the over all WOW for me was probably the Medici Chapel in Florence with it's use of semi precious stone and a burial chamber by Michaelangelo.

The Chagall in Metz, France is very lovely.

My favorites are the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Reims, France, for its beautiful sculptures and stained glass; the sumptuous and historic Cathedral of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain - the destination of pilgrims for centuries; and the incredible Underground Salt Cathedral in the Wieliczka salt mine near Krakow, Poland. I also love Notre Dame in Paris for its unmatchable exterior; St. Peter's in Rome for its size and grandeur; and the Basilica di San Francesco in Assisi, Italy, for the amazing feeling of peace that it's setting gives you.

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed the heavy hitters, such as Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, St. Martin in the Fields, and Notre Dame. A few lesser but still well-known spiritual centers I liked just as much include St. Jakob's in Rothenburg odT...for the Riemenschneider altar, the Frauenkirche in Munich...onion domes and great views of the city from the top, the cathedral in Salzburg...Baroque style, Melk Abbey...more incredible Baroque, St. Stephens in Vienna...unique tiled roof, the Bone Chapel in Hallstatt...weird mix of spooky and holy, the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua...tomb and very holy pilgrimage site, the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua for its Giotto, Frari Church in Venice for its masterpieces, the Segovia Cathedral...last Gothic cathedral built in Spain, and the basilica at El Escorial...primarily for the late Gothic/Renaissance mix architecture and the fact that it's in the El Escorial complex...one of the most incredible sites in all of Europe IMO.

I too was blown away by St. Chappelle, and Notre Dame and Chartre were amazing. But I'd like to recommend some smaller churches that I've enjoyed. In some I've found peace and in others I've just liked the building or the sense of history that comes with them. One of my favorites was the Escomb Saxon church. I found it between visiting York (where I heard vespers!), Rivaulx Abbey (a very evocative ruin) and Durham Cathedral (so beautiful up on the hill and where St. Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede are buried) I think I had to get a key from across the way. It was built in the 7th century and still is in use! http://www.escombsaxonchurch.com/ I also think that St. Margaret's chapel in Edinburgh Castle is so lovely, even when overrun by tourists. I love several churches in Orkney. First, is Magnus Cathedral. The red sand stone is so different from the southern churches. Then there is the Italian Chapel near the Churchill Barriers build in WWII from a Nissen Hut with its beautiful interior. Then there is the Church of South Walls, a plain Presbyterian Church attended by my cousins on Hoy. It was first build in 995 and most recently rebuilt in 1832 and speaks to the faith of the community. Pam

We were on our way to Madrid and decided to spend the night in Burgos, Spain. Not having done our research we knew nothing about Burgos. What a surprise! As we checked in I asked the hotel desk person about Burgos and he casually stated there was a statue of as he put it, "our local hero" just a few blocks from the hotel. The statue of the "local hero" turned out to be El Cid but that is another story. He also off-handedly remarked that we might like to see their cathedral. The cathedral was awe inspiring, huge and dripping with gold and silver. I can not do it justice by writing about it here, it defies description with mere wordsjust go see it. It will take you back in time to when Spain was a Super Power and ruled the New World. Another wonderful cathedral is in Narbonne, France, it rivals Notre Dame in age, and gargoyles.

I found the Segrada Familia in Barcelona breathtaking and it is not even finished. I'm hoping to return when it is. Another favorite of mine is Santa Maria della Salute and Santa Maria Miercoli (sp?) in Venice.

We make it a point to see every grand cathedral that is near our travel path. But I would encourage everyone who spends time in small-town Europe to visit the local churches as well. Some are little architectual gems in their own way. But the most endeering attraction is that you get to see a bit of local history in a building whose charms were less likely to be built with slave labor and less likely to be decorated with extorted wealth. These churches are also more likely to be actually used for their intended purpose on a regular basis. And in the summer, they are blessedly cool, too.

I'm going to name five: 1) Westminster Abbey because it was the first one I ever saw and it has so much history. 2) St. Paul's in London for it's overall beauty. 3) Sainte Chapelle because those windows totally blew me away. It made me gasp. when I walked in 4) Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges because every square inch is covered with interesting and beautiful ornamentation of some sort. 5) Chartres because I took a Malcolm Miller tour that brought a fascinating and beautiful cathedral to life. Also the organist was practicing while we were there, which added enormously to the atmosphere.

Sint Bavo - Haarlem - for the magnificent organ (and free organ concerts) St Pauls Cathedral - London - for its magnificent ring of bells - many a Sunday I can be found within their sound Chapel of the Holy Blood (upper and lower) - Brugge - I simply can't describe what I feel there Weisskirche - Bavaria - Baroque Wells Cathedral - Wells, England - the clock and very old yet very modern looking architecture S Marco - Venice - when illuminated the mosaics are fabulous many other churches, probably 25 of them in and around Venice - for the art, ah the art, special mention to the church on Tortola for its mosaics York Minster - York - beautiful The chapel in the village below Assisi - central Italy - so peaceful and respectful - compared with the big basilica up on the hill ... and many more ....

The obvious: St Chappelle (Paris) Wow, those windows, Chartres, Wesminster Abbey, Mont St Michel Abbey; York, Salisbury and Winchester (all seem spacious and light). And then small chrurches scattered around- Fairford cotswolds (old windows), Mister Lovell (Oxford- crusader tombs); Templar Church London (round), Pickering Church York (Little John, ancient murals peeking through the whitewash overcoat); Kilpeck church Hereford, Celtic crosses, and pagan decorations and surprisingly- Wiese Kirk South of Munich. There is a lot to see in local parish churches

My favorite, for its unbelieveable stained glass, is the cathedral in Leon, Spain. It is absolutely breathtaking, particularly on a sunny day!

Someone else already mentioned this one, but La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona was absolutely beautiful. Something about it just takes your breath away.

Monreale, (just outside Palermo) and San Vitale and Sant' Apollinare in Classe (Ravenna) are my favorites for their awe-inspiring mosaics.

I forgot the haunting ruins of Coventry Cathedral and of Tintern Abbey in the Wye valley

I love the small country churches. Places I never knew existed and don't remember the names, if I ever knew them. They also make great places to take a break in hot weather. Favorite place for church hopping is Venice. Specifically the small little churches that seem to be everywhere. What detail. You can sense there was real wealth and not anytime in recent memory.

These days I find myself drawn to small churches or chapels, usually because of some unique feature, and not because the church is an outstanding master piece in its totality. I like things like old, but wonderful, frescos, altars or pulpits carved by a famous master, an unusual painting or statue, or a special setting. For instance, I love the little church in tiny Gebertsham, located north of Salzburg on the north end of Lake Mattsee. Few people visit it, but its a gem. It's simple as far as architecure goes, but it's one of the few gothic churches in the region, and that makes it special. But most of all I admire its small, but exquisitely carved winged altar, that can be folded in and out when needed. The altar was probably carved by Guck, a regional master, and it was to tall for the church when they installed it, so they had to bend the tops to get it to fit. I like the frescos too. They are somewhat primitive, but nevertheless they fit the style and complement the atmosphere. They were being exposed and restored the last time I visited in 2006, but even then I found them charming. So its a combination of things that endear this church to me. None of them are outstanding or imposing, like Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, but I like it, nonetheless.

One church that really stands out to me is Temppeliaukio (Rock church) in Helsinki, Finland. I love the light, the acoustics, the copper ceiling, and the cool, modern design.

Laura, Thank you for mentioning that "church in the rock" in Helsinki. I have been in more cathedrals than I can remember & many churches that were historically and culturally interesting, but that church in Helsinki was the only one I've ever been in that felt "spiritual" to me.

In France, aside from Chartres, which I have yet to see, I recommend these as meaningful, significant, impressive: Paris--Notre Dame, the cathedrals in Amiens, Reims, Strasbourg, Metz. In Germany, Berlin--der Französische Dom, der Deutsche Dom, Kaiser Wilhelms Gedächtniskirche, Dresden--Frauenkirche; München--Marienkirche. Ulm and Cologne--the cathedral, Lüneburg--Johanniskirche,
Erfurt--cathedral, Naumburg an der Saale, (haven't seen this yet), Magdeburg, Frankfurt--Paulskirche.

@ Fred - Oh, ok. I mean I think it is interesting looking since it is round and very signifigant historically, but I have also seen websites that list the Pauls Church as being the coronation church, rather than St. Bartholomews, so thought I would ask to make sure you knew which one it was. Not many visitors to Frankfurt know about this 1st parliament and revolution, so it is refreshing to hear that someone else knows of it. I can't wait til my next visit to Brussels to go in this church Tom is talking about. In fact, I am putting quite a few of these on my list of churches and cathedrals to go see. I enjoy climbing the steeples or up into the domes, like at St. Peters in Rome or the Berliner Dom, or at Sacre Coeur. It is just cool being up there, seeing how they are constructed. Haven't managed the steeple in Cologne, but did climb the one in Frankfurt when they re-opened it in August. Whew! what a lot of stairs, but the view is always worth it. It is interesting to look at the apt. at the top where the watchman used to live. Can't imagine living up there, dragging all your water, wood, food, etc. up and down those steps.

Fred, why the Paulskirche in Frankfurt? It hasn't been used as a church since it got gutted in the war. It is better known as the location for the first democratic parliament in Germany in 1848.

The one in Strasbourg is the first one I ever saw when I came to Europe and it remains a favorite. The exterior is phenomenal. In Italy I am most fond of the biggies - Milano and Firenze. I especially like the fact that you can actually go up on the roof of the Duomo in Milano which, I believe, is the biggest Gothic church in Europe (or is it the world?).

If you are a gothic fan, obviously Chartres, Reims, and St. Denis. One not so obvious, but worth the trip from Paris is Beauvais. It was intended to be the biggest and tallest, but was never completed due to collapses and funding. But there is enough there to get the idea. At 157 feet, I believe it still has the highest vaults in the world. And even in peak season, you will only find a few fellow tourists.

Forgot to mention this one: St. Bavokathedraal in Ghent, Belgium. The cathedral itself is pretty standard-issue Gothic, but I mention if for two reasons. One, it contains Van Eyck's amazing "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb". I admit to being vastly underwhelmed by many of the so-called "must-see" art works in Europe (I've seen pictures of the Mona Lisa hundreds of times, seeing the real thing with my own eyes added nothing for me). But this is one painting that really impressed me in person. Two, it sits smack in the middle of one of the most beautiful sections of any city in the world.

A church that was beautiful in its simplicity and history is Angoville-au-Plain in Normandy, France. American medics tended to the wounded during the D-Day invasion, and some of the original pews still have the bloodstains on them. The church is from the 12th century and apparently, except for the stained glass project honoring the medics & paratroopers, has not been changed much at all. A couple of village ladies take care of the church. There was a tiny vase of violets on the altar the day we visited. It was a very moving experience and probably the favorite of churches/cathedrals I have visited.

'Investigate and Discuss - which are the churches that impressed you the most and why?' Silly answers will be punished by detention, clever ones, using the most architectural terms in one sentence will ensure progression to the next level.
Students are encouraged to use as much relevant material as possible.

It is exactly for that historical role which the Paulskirche played in the 1848 Revolution that makes it worthy of a visit; whether that assembly was significant or not depends upon one's historical interpretation. I listed Magdeburg, which I saw in 2009, not only because of the Dom but also the Johanniskirche, impressive and historically significant but not presently used as a church.

The Church of Santa Maria de la Gracie in Milan, Italy. Not because it's particularly amazing architecture-wise, but because of what's in it, namely Da Vinci's Last Supper, which is the most amazing, and literally breathtaking painting in the world. So if you're ever in the vicinity, make sure to go there. (Advanced Booking is Required)

I don't know if it counts since the church of Rome usurped it and desecrated it (unsure of the order) but the Pantheon in Rome is an awesome and beautiful architectural achievement. The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is now a museum, but once served as a great Byzantine cathedral of the Orthodox Catholics.

"I don't know if it counts since the church of Rome usurped it and desecrated it (unsure of the order)." Those pagan Romans built it first (the Pantheon Rome).

I particularly enjoyed the cathedral in Barcelona (La Seu). Not so much for the outside, but for the cloisters - so serene, and the 13 geese (for Saint Eulalia) were a nice touch. I spent a long time there absorbing the environment - just loved it. And Kent (of course) beat me to the punch on my other favorite, the Pantheon in Rome. Can't do much better than that, I went there three times on my trip to Rome.

We visited the cathedral in Albi, France, last spring. I can't say it was the most beautiful church I have visited but it was massive in size. It was built to show the Cathars that the Roman Catholic Church would not tolerate a different "version" of Christianity. We liked the Ste. Catherine Church in Honfleur, France, because the ceiling looked like an upside down ship. You can also check out the ruins of the abbey at Cluny. It was built in 910. When it was built, it was the largest church on the planet until the 16th century when St. Peter's in Rome exceeded its size by a small margin.

Jo, What a great question! I love the Marble Church in Copenhagen. It has a beautiful dome, and the decorative ceiling is lovely. It's been over 30 years since I've seen it, but I still remember the loveliness of St Bride's church in London on Fleet St. I agree with many others posters that Saint Chapelle,
Notre dame in Paris should not be missed. I love Sacre Coeur, used to see it every day as I came out of the Metro when I was a student in Paris.

Thanks for posting this question! 1. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul for its weightless immensity and uniqueness. When you stand inside you feel overwhelmed by the beautiful architecture and history of the building. 2. St. Mary's in Krakow-for the alter and starry night ceiling and because it felt like a refuge for me after I had spent the morning at Auschwitz. 3. Old Serbian Orthodox Church in Sarajevo-it's really not much as far as architecture goes and its very tiny, but it holds such a spiritual presence-unlike anywhere else I've ever been. 4. St. Chappelle for the same reasons listed by pp
5. Its a tie for me for the original stained glass windows of Chartres and the modern glass windows (especially the Mucha) in Prague Cathedral. I could stare at either for hours.

I love Bev's short list as we've been to all 3 recently and loved them for the same reasons. Near Cluny is the little village of Vezelay. That church has the best stonemason work of ANY church or cathedral I've seen in Europe. The church is light filled and breathtaking. You can inspect the upper capitals easily and marvel in the detailed stone work depicting Bible stories so vividly and humorously. The town of Vezelay is charming and historically important too being the starting point of the 2nd and 3rd Crusades. Vezelay is also a pilgrimage highlight on a French route of the Chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle. Don't miss this church if you are traveling in Burgundy.

My picks would tend toward the famous ones. I will add that we visited Roskilde Cathedral in Denmark this year. I was really pleasantly surprised. It houses the tombs of centuries of Danish royalty. The one I was most surprised by was the remains of Harold Blue Tooth, a Danish King from the 900's. We also visited the Church of the Rock in Finnland. Glad we visited but it's modern and crowded with tour groups. I like the older ones.

St. Stephen Walbrook, one of the most beautiful Wren churches in London. Amazing round sanctuary. Wren's clear windows and round central dome. Stunning carved pulpit and fontcover. Amazing peace in the heart of the City, just by the Mansion House.