The Most Beautiful Churches in the World, from Ethiopia to Brazil
A little faith (and a lot of artistic genius) goes a long way.
This week on Instagram I posted this amazing photo of a a building in San Marino, the worlds oldest republic. This building has the symbols of 3 religions on it. I love that this building was for everyone.
I thought I would post this article because to me these churches represent art and architecture which is always something to see – for everyone.
Whether or not you consider yourself a spiritual person, there’s something special about visiting sacred sites during a trip. Not only do these structures give a sense of place and community, but they are often some of the most stunning buildings in any given destination. Whether it’s a Gaudí-designed masterpiece in Barcelona, an underground cathedral in Ethiopia, or a tiny chapel on an island in Slovenia, there’s no denying the aesthetic draw of churches—and these 17 incredible structures draw extra attention for their angles. Here, proving that a little faith (and a lot of artistic genius) goes a long way, we give you the most beautiful churches in the world.
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St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow, Russia
St. Basil’s Cathedral is a bright, almost psychedelic sight in the middle of Moscow’s Red Square, thanks to its colorful domes and swirling patterns. Even today, the candy-colored creation, commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in the mid-1500s, still seems to rise like a dream in the center of the modern city.
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Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík, Iceland
Designed to resemble the basalt lava that flows in Iceland, the church looks like a strong upside-down V made of tall, thin white beams. Even though the exterior is striking, make sure you visit the inside as well—there’s a sculpture of the famous explorer Leif Eriksson and an observatory at the top where you can get breathtaking views of Reykjavik.
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Gergeti Trinity Church, Georgia
Hiking through Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains is a vacation in its own right. One of the essential stops on your trek should be the Gergeti Trinity Church, a 14th-century structure that can be reached within an hour or two from the base town of Stepantsminda. Let’s just say that attending a candlelit mass above the cloud line at 7,100 feet is one you won’t forget.
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Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal, Canada
Built in the 1820s in Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica is a stunning example of the Gothic Revival style, featuring two soaring towers, hundreds of intricate wooden carvings, and a looming Casavant Frères pipe organ that dates back to 1891. Be sure not to miss Moment Factory’s astounding Aura, a ticketed 45-minute multimedia spectacle that combines lights, orchestral music, and the grandiose architecture in a unique three-act experience.
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Church of the Transfiguration, Kizhi Island, Russia
Located on Lake Onega in the Republic of Karelia, Kizhi Island is basically one big open-air museum containing dozens of historical wooden buildings, the most famous of which is the Church of the Transfiguration. The 22-dome structure was built in 1714, and is famous for one major engineering feat: Not a single nail was used in the construction. Instead, the church was built with horizontal logs that interlock in the corners (think next-level Lincoln logs). It’s definitely something that has to be seen to be believed.
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Cathedral of Brasília, Brazil
From the outside, the 16 concrete pillars that form the structure of the Cathedral of Brasília resemble a strange UFO. From the inside, the sweeping panes of blue and green stained glass make this one of the most beautiful churches in the world. The cathedral, designed by famed architect Oscar Niemeyer, also features sculptures of angels hanging from the ceiling and a reflecting pool encircling the building.
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Duomo di Milano, Italy
The magnificent white Gothic cathedral in Milan is home to more statues than any other in the world—around 3,500 in total, about two-thirds of which are part of its gargoyle-lined roof, alongside 135 spires. Take the audio guide tour of the interior to get the most out of your visit, or climb the 150 steps to the roof, where you can enjoy spectacular views over the city.
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Duomo di Milano, Italy
The magnificent white Gothic cathedral in Milan is home to more statues than any other in the world—around 3,500 in total, about two-thirds of which are part of its gargoyle-lined roof, alongside 135 spires. Take the audio guide tour of the interior to get the most out of your visit, or climb the 150 steps to the roof, where you can enjoy spectacular views over the city.
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Chapel of the Holy Cross, Sedona, Arizona
Conceived by sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude in 1932, this passion project in Sedona’s red rocks wasn’t completed until 1957—but the wait was certainly worth it. The Chapel of the Holy Cross, as its name suggests, is defined by its forward-facing, 90-foot cross that looks over the surrounding Arizona landscape.
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La Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain
Easily one of the most recognizable churches in the world, La Sagrada Família is such a feat of perfection that it famously may never be finished—but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting the Barcelona landmark. You’ll have to fight the 4.5 million annual visitors for the best views, but once you look up and see those towering vaults and rainbow stained glass, you can’t help but gasp out loud.
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Borgund Stave Church, Norway
Built around 1180, the Borgund Stave Church is one of Norway‘s finest examples of a stave church (wooden structures defined by their corner-posts and timber frames). Although no longer used for religious purposes, the landmark now serves as a visitors’ center with comprehensive information about Norwegian stave churches, dozens of which can be found around the country.
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Church of St. George, Lalibela, Ethiopia
In northern Ethiopia, the small town of Lalibela is known for its eleven medieval churches carved out of monolithic rock. The churches, which date all the way back to the 12th century, come complete with catacombs and ceremonial passages; some even have networks of trenches that connect them to the other buildings. Although ancient, the structures still welcome pilgrimages today.
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The Pilgrimage Church of Wies, Steingaden, Germany
With its bright colors and exuberant frescoes, the UNESCO-listed Church of Wies is a masterpiece of Rococo architecture—with the added bonus of a scenic Alpine setting. Though it was finished in 1754, nearly one million pilgrims still travel to the site annually.
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Las Lajas Sanctuary, Nariño, Colombia
Las Lajas Sanctuary in Colombia is one of the most unusual churches in the world, due to its precarious location 150 feet over a river gorge. The site first served as a shrine in the 1700s following a reported sighting of the Virgin Mary’s image in the rocks, and the current Gothic-style church was built in the early 1900s.\
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Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, Paris, France
The second-tallest structure in all of Paris (topped only by the Eiffel Tower), the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur is a Catholic basilica that sits on the city’s highest hill, in Montmartre. The basilica stands out with its white stone facade and Byzantine architecture, and inside, features a colorful ceiling that is covered by the largest mosaic in all of France.
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St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is perhaps the best known of New York City’s holy sites. The Neo-Gothic Roman Catholic church, erected between 1858 and 1878, sits pretty among the skyscrapers on 5th Avenue, becoming a flurry of activity during daily Mass services—and the occasional wedding, of course.
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Monasteries of Meteora, Greece
As if still-standing monasteries from the 15th century weren’t impressive enough, the buildings of Meteora are famously situated on nearly inaccessible sandstone peaks in central Greece. Brave travelers can pay a visit to the Monastery of the Holy Trinity—one of six monasteries that are still standing—via a 140-step staircase cut into the side of the cliff.
June 7, 2021
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