These are the world's most beautiful cathedrals



Slide 1 of 31: All of these mesmerizing structures are so much more than just places of worship. From recognizable city icons to cathedrals-turned-museums, these incredible buildings range from the historic to modern, yet all are utterly stunning. Here, we take a look at the world's most beautiful cathedrals.
Slide 2 of 31: The marble-clad façade of the Duomo di Milano is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. The cathedral church, dedicated to the Nativity of St. Mary, took nearly six centuries to complete and is the largest church in Italy. Adorned with 135 spires and 3,400 statues, it sports one of the most extravagant Gothic exteriors in the world.
Slide 3 of 31: St. Paul's Cathedral, one of London's sightseeing highlights, has been a place of Christian worship for more than 1,400 years (and pagan before that). An Anglican cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of London, the current St. Paul's building dates back to 1675, after the previous cathedral was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. The cathedral has also been the site of several historic events including Sir Winston Churchill's funeral, the peace services marking the end of both World Wars and Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer's wedding.
Slide 4 of 31: The German city's most famous sight, Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom in German) is a symbol of German Catholicism and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. One of Germany's most-visited landmarks, it usually attracts an average of 20,000 people a day who come to admire its twin spires. Notably, the cathedral's choir stalls are some of the largest of any medieval church.

Slide 5 of 31: One of the most colorful buildings in the world, the ornate St. Basil's Cathedral is one of Moscow's most recognizable landmarks. Located in Red Square, the cathedral's design was intended to resemble the flames of a bonfire. The church was confiscated from the Russian Orthodox Church and completely secularized in 1929 as part of the Soviet Union's doctrine of state atheism. It's since operated as a State Historical Museum but weekly Orthodox services were restored in 1997.
Slide 6 of 31: An unusual building to be found among the towering skyscrapers of Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral is the country's largest Neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral. The cathedral was named after St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, in response to the increasing number of Irish immigrants in the city during the second half of the 20th century. Today it's one of the most prominent landmarks in New York City and is at the center of St. Patrick's Day celebrations every year.
Slide 7 of 31: The world's largest Gothic cathedral, Seville Cathedral is simply mind-boggling. Next to one of Seville's most popular attractions, the Alcázar palace complex, the cathedral was built on the site of a Moorish mosque. Some of the oldest parts of the cathedral, like the orange tree courtyard and the Giralda tower, date back to the late 12th century. Discover more reasons to visit Seville here.
Slide 8 of 31: The Gothic York Minster rises high above the city of York in northeast England. Officially called the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, the cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the third-highest office of the Church of England. The cathedral is also notable for having the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the country. Find our complete guide to York here.
Slide 9 of 31: Despite its name, Berlin Cathedral has never been an actual cathedral as it's never been the seat of a bishop, but it's still a stunner. The Neo-Renaissance building has four towers and an impressive dome topped with a golden cross. Located on Berlin's Museum Island, the church was finished in 1905 and houses not only a place of worship but a museum and concert hall too. Plan your visit to Berlin with our top guide.

Slide 10 of 31: One of Mexico City's most recognizable landmarks, the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral is both the largest and oldest cathedral in Latin America. An architectural masterpiece, the building is a unique mix of three styles – Baroque, Neo-Classic and Neo-Renaissance – reflecting the lengthy construction process. Once on the World Monuments Fund's list of 100 most endangered sites due to accelerated sinking, the cathedral was removed from the list in 2000.
Slide 11 of 31: The St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans has been located on this site since 1794. However, due to extensive expansion and rebuilding work in 1850, little of the original church remains. It's the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States and one of NOLA's most notable landmarks. Look up and discover the world's most jaw-dropping ceilings.
Slide 12 of 31: One of the most magnificent cathedrals in the world, the stunning marble façade of Santa Maria del Fiore is instantly recognizable. Located in Florence's Piazza del Duomo along with The Baptistery of St. John and Giotto's Bell Tower, the cathedral is one of the most famous in the world. One of its most notable features is Brunelleschi's Duomo – more than 500 years after completion it still remains the largest masonry dome in the world. Plan the perfect visit to Florence with our guide.
Slide 13 of 31: Situated within the Prague Castle complex, this towering cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. Although the cathedral's formal title is very lengthy, dedicated to St. Vitus, St. Wenceslaus and St. Adalbert, it's more commonly known as St. Vitus Cathedral. A prominent example of Gothic architecture, it's the largest and most important church in the country, and contains the tombs of many Bohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors.
Slide 14 of 31: Designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and dedicated in 1970, the Cathedral of Brasília in the Brazilian capital is usually visited by around a million people every day. The cathedral's shape represents hands moving upwards to heaven and, surprisingly, most of the structure is actually below ground with only the 230-foot (70m) roof visible above ground.

Slide 15 of 31: Also known as COLA, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels replaced the previous Cathedral of Saint Vibiana which was severely damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The new building opened in 2002 and sparked controversy for its large size, non-traditional architecture and expensive construction – the altar budget alone was $5 million.
Slide 16 of 31: One of the most lavishly decorated churches in the world, St. Mark's Basilica in Venice's Piazza San Marco is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. It's an exceptional example of Byzantine architecture, reflecting Venice's past as an international trading center. Rebuilt after a fire in 932, the basilica is best defined by its protruding domes, marble-clad walls and gold-leaf mosaics. Take a look at famous landmarks that were almost destroyed.
Slide 17 of 31: The grand finale marking the end of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a striking landmark on the city's skyline. It was built over several centuries and completed in 1211. As such, it's a mix of mostly Romanesque architecture, with several Gothic and Baroque additions.
Slide 18 of 31: One of Vienna's most culturally significant landmarks, St. Stephen's Cathedral is particularly notable for its colorful roof. Made up of 23,000 individual tiles, it features a depiction of an Imperial double-headed eagle, the emblem of the Holy Roman Empire and later the Austrian Empire. The cathedral has hosted several important events in Habsburg and Austrian history, including the wedding of Mozart and Constanze Weber, and funerals of Antonio Vivaldi and F1 champion Niki Lauda.
Slide 19 of 31: The first heritage site in Ukraine to be inscribed on the World Heritage List along with the Kiev Cave Monastery complex, St. Sophia's Cathedral is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Kiev. Its foundations were laid in the early 11th century and its name comes from Istanbul's Hagia Sophia. Since the late 1980s there have been promises to return the building to the Orthodox Church but due to disagreements, the cathedral remains a secular museum.
Slide 20 of 31: The golden domes and bright blue walls of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin are pretty hard to miss. A Russian Orthodox cathedral built in the 1800s in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, it was closed for worship in the 1930s like all of the key churches in Central Asia. The church was later restored and reopened and then redecorated again in 1996 to celebrate the visit of Patriarch Alexis II, the 15th head of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Slide 21 of 31: An Anglican cathedral in southwest England, Salisbury Cathedral is a stunning example of Early English Gothic architecture. Completed in 1258, the cathedral has the tallest church spire in the UK, rising to 404 feet (123m). The cathedral is also famous for housing the best-preserved version of only four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, the United Kingdom's charter of rights. Discover Britain's most historic towns and cities.
Slide 22 of 31: Built in the late 1880s following the French conquest of Cochinchina and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City's previous name), the Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of the last remaining Catholic churches in the largely Buddhist Vietnam. The cathedral received a lot of attention in October 2005 when a statue of the Virgin Mary was reported to have shed tears, attracting thousands of visitors.
Slide 23 of 31: Nidarosdomen, or Nidaros Cathedral, was built over the burial site of King Olav II who became the patron saint of Norway. Although finished in 1300, additions and renovations have taken place throughout history with the most recent works completed in 2001. The building in the city of Trondheim is the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world.
Slide 24 of 31: One of the most important churches in France, the Chartres Cathedral is one of the best-preserved churches in the world. The majority of the stained-glass windows are original while the architecture has only seen the most minor changes since the early 13th century. It's also one of the most-visited religious sites in France with travelers coming to admire its French Gothic art and its most famous relic, the Sancta Camisa, said to be the tunic worn by the Virgin Mary during Christ's birth.
Slide 25 of 31: One of the most fascinating religious buildings in the world, Istanbul's Hagia Sophia is both a former Greek Orthodox patriarchal cathedral and an Ottoman imperial mosque, and now a museum. Built in AD 537, it was the world's largest building and an engineering marvel of its time. After Constantinople (what Istanbul was called) was conquered by the Ottomans in the 15th century, it became the principal mosque of the city until it was turned into a museum in 1935.
Slide 26 of 31: A symbol of the Bulgarian capital as well as a major tourist attraction, the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the world. With several domes, including a gold-plated central dome, it was finished in 1912 and was built to honor the Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, which helped liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. Take a look at incredible images of the world's tourist attractions under construction.
Slide 27 of 31: One of the most unique-looking cathedrals in the world, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro is dedicated to the city's patron saint, Saint Sebastian. Completed in 1979 and inspired by ancient Mayan pyramid architecture, the cathedral is 246 feet (75m) high and can hold 20,000 people. Inside, look up at its central cross. Due to the dimmed lighting inside, the wires that are used to hang the cross aren't visible so it appears to be floating mid-air.
Slide 28 of 31: Monumental in size, the Palma Cathedral is one of Palma de Mallorca's main attractions. A total of 61 stained-glass windows shine light onto its central nave and some of the interior features were designed by Antoni Gaudí. In 2007, renowned Mallorcan artist Miquel Barceló added a contemporary art installation depicting a New Testament parable to one of the chapels. Plan a perfect weekend in Palma de Mallorca with our guide.
Slide 29 of 31: Located in Burgos in northern Spain, the Burgos Cathedral is the only Spanish cathedral that's been declared a World Heritage Site without being a part of a city's historic center or in union with other buildings. A typical French Gothic cathedral, it's more similar to the cathedrals of Paris and Reims. It also houses a large number of artworks by notable Spanish artists, mostly sculptors and painters. Take a look at haunting photos of the world's abandoned sacred places.
Slide 30 of 31: One of the world's finest examples of French Gothic architecture, the iconic Notre-Dame de Paris suffered a devastating fire in April 2019 that destroyed large portions, including the historic timber spire over the crossing. Following the fire, proposals were made to modernize the cathedral's design but in July 2020, it was announced that the roof and spire are to be rebuilt exactly as they were before the fire. Now discover amazing facts you probably didn't know about the world's most famous attractions.
Slide 31 of 31: The oldest and largest church in Ottawa, the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica was originally a small wooden church built in 1832. The current building was finished in 1885, and renovated and restored in the late 1990s. Although rather modest on the outside, it's breathtakingly beautiful inside. The interior is brightly painted and decorated with carved features, ornate stained-glass windows and hundreds of statues. Now take a look at the most beautiful museums in the world.

Eye-catching cathedrals

Duomo di Milano, Milan, Italy

St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, UK

St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of London’s sightseeing highlights, has been a place of Christian worship for more than 1,400 years (and pagan before that). An Anglican cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of London, the current St. Paul’s building dates back to 1675, after the previous cathedral was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. The cathedral has also been the site of several historic events including Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral, the peace services marking the end of both World Wars and Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer’s wedding.

Kölner Dom, Cologne, Germany

St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow, Russia

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City, New York, USA

An unusual building to be found among the towering skyscrapers of Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the country’s largest Neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral. The cathedral was named after St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, in response to the increasing number of Irish immigrants in the city during the second half of the 20th century. Today it’s one of the most prominent landmarks in New York City and is at the center of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations every year.

Catedral de Santa María de la Sede, Seville, Spain

The world’s largest Gothic cathedral, Seville Cathedral is simply mind-boggling. Next to one of Seville’s most popular attractions, the Alcázar palace complex, the cathedral was built on the site of a Moorish mosque. Some of the oldest parts of the cathedral, like the orange tree courtyard and the Giralda tower, date back to the late 12th century. Discover more reasons to visit Seville here.

York Minster, York, UK

The Gothic York Minster rises high above the city of York in northeast England. Officially called the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, the cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the third-highest office of the Church of England. The cathedral is also notable for having the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the country. Find our complete guide to York here.

Berliner Dom, Berlin, Germany

Despite its name, Berlin Cathedral has never been an actual cathedral as it’s never been the seat of a bishop, but it’s still a stunner. The Neo-Renaissance building has four towers and an impressive dome topped with a golden cross. Located on Berlin’s Museum Island, the church was finished in 1905 and houses not only a place of worship but a museum and concert hall too. Plan your visit to Berlin with our top guide.

Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, Mexico City, Mexico

One of Mexico City’s most recognizable landmarks, the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral is both the largest and oldest cathedral in Latin America. An architectural masterpiece, the building is a unique mix of three styles – Baroque, Neo-Classic and Neo-Renaissance – reflecting the lengthy construction process. Once on the World Monuments Fund’s list of 100 most endangered sites due to accelerated sinking, the cathedral was removed from the list in 2000.

St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

The St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans has been located on this site since 1794. However, due to extensive expansion and rebuilding work in 1850, little of the original church remains. It’s the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States and one of NOLA’s most notable landmarks. Look up and discover the world’s most jaw-dropping ceilings.

Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy

One of the most magnificent cathedrals in the world, the stunning marble façade of Santa Maria del Fiore is instantly recognizable. Located in Florence’s Piazza del Duomo along with The Baptistery of St. John and Giotto’s Bell Tower, the cathedral is one of the most famous in the world. One of its most notable features is Brunelleschi’s Duomo – more than 500 years after completion it still remains the largest masonry dome in the world. Plan the perfect visit to Florence with our guide.

St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague, Czech Republic

Cathedral of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, California, USA

Also known as COLA, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels replaced the previous Cathedral of Saint Vibiana which was severely damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The new building opened in 2002 and sparked controversy for its large size, non-traditional architecture and expensive construction – the altar budget alone was $5 million.

Basilica San Marco, Venice, Italy

One of the most lavishly decorated churches in the world, St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice’s Piazza San Marco is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. It’s an exceptional example of Byzantine architecture, reflecting Venice’s past as an international trading center. Rebuilt after a fire in 932, the basilica is best defined by its protruding domes, marble-clad walls and gold-leaf mosaics. Take a look at famous landmarks that were almost destroyed.

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain

Domkirche St. Stephan, Vienna, Austria

St. Sophia’s Cathedral, Kiev, Ukraine

Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury, UK

An Anglican cathedral in southwest England, Salisbury Cathedral is a stunning example of Early English Gothic architecture. Completed in 1258, the cathedral has the tallest church spire in the UK, rising to 404 feet (123m). The cathedral is also famous for housing the best-preserved version of only four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, the United Kingdom’s charter of rights. Discover Britain’s most historic towns and cities.

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Nidarosdomen, Trondheim, Norway

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, Chartres, France

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia, Bulgaria

A symbol of the Bulgarian capital as well as a major tourist attraction, the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the world. With several domes, including a gold-plated central dome, it was finished in 1912 and was built to honor the Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, which helped liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. Take a look at incredible images of the world’s tourist attractions under construction.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Monumental in size, the Palma Cathedral is one of Palma de Mallorca’s main attractions. A total of 61 stained-glass windows shine light onto its central nave and some of the interior features were designed by Antoni Gaudí. In 2007, renowned Mallorcan artist Miquel Barceló added a contemporary art installation depicting a New Testament parable to one of the chapels. Plan a perfect weekend in Palma de Mallorca with our guide.

Burgos Cathedral, Burgos, Spain

Located in Burgos in northern Spain, the Burgos Cathedral is the only Spanish cathedral that’s been declared a World Heritage Site without being a part of a city’s historic center or in union with other buildings. A typical French Gothic cathedral, it’s more similar to the cathedrals of Paris and Reims. It also houses a large number of artworks by notable Spanish artists, mostly sculptors and painters. Take a look at haunting photos of the world’s abandoned sacred places.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, Paris, France

One of the world’s finest examples of French Gothic architecture, the iconic Notre-Dame de Paris suffered a devastating fire in April 2019 that destroyed large portions, including the historic timber spire over the crossing. Following the fire, proposals were made to modernize the cathedral’s design but in July 2020, it was announced that the roof and spire are to be rebuilt exactly as they were before the fire. Now discover amazing facts you probably didn’t know about the world’s most famous attractions.

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Ottawa, Canada

The oldest and largest church in Ottawa, the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica was originally a small wooden church built in 1832. The current building was finished in 1885, and renovated and restored in the late 1990s. Although rather modest on the outside, it’s breathtakingly beautiful inside. The interior is brightly painted and decorated with carved features, ornate stained-glass windows and hundreds of statues. Now take a look at the most beautiful museums in the world.

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