Europe's Top 10 Most Magnificent and Beautiful Churches

Beautiful churches in Europe. Photo: KnowInsiders.com

Inspired by intense devotion, Christian churches brought together incredible craftsmanship and art. For centuries, nations, towns, and kings have competed to build the most impressive houses of worship possible. In every location on the continent, churches and cathedrals were constructed in response to divine visits, as an expression of gratitude for rescue and support, as a plea for the success of military campaigns, or as a display of wealth and power.

Although it's difficult to choose just ten of Europe's most exquisite churches, KnowInsiders has compiled a list of ten that are probably the most well-known and exquisite in all of Europe.

What Are The Most Beautiful Churches in Europe?

1. St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow

Photo: Ancient Origins

Perched on the edge of Moscow's famous Red Square is St. Basil's Cathedral. It is well-known for its spectacular array of onion domes and technicolor rooftops, which were all constructed to mimic a bonfire's flickering flames.

The structure was ordered way back in the middle of the sixteenth century with the intention of using it as a trophy for Ivan the Terrible after his conquests against the Khanates of middle Asia proved successful. Currently, it stands as a true emblem of the Russian state, despite its peculiar dissimilarity to any other religious building in the nation or the former USSR.

2. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City

Photo: WallpaperAccess

Built between 1506 and 1626, St. Peter's Basilica is thought to be the largest church in the world and is thought to have been built on the resting place of St. Peter, the first Catholic Pope and one of Jesus Christ's apostles.

The previous churches erected on the same site dating back to the Roman Emperor Constantine were replaced by this iteration of St. Paul's. It is a popular destination for Catholic pilgrims from around the globe as well as enthusiasts of Renaissance art and architecture, having been designed by Michelangelo and several other notable Renaissance architects.

3. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

Photo: CNN

Though it is still unfinished, the Sagrada Familia already commands more attention than any other building in Barcelona thanks to its Dadaist flair, UNESCO designation, and otherworldly grandeur. It rises more than 160 meters above the Costa Brava plains.

Visitors are kept occupied from the moment they enter the enormous interior, as it is a veritable symphony of styles. Macabre gargoyles peep out devilishly from cracks and crevices, and turtles in their carapaces form monoliths that cling to the steles. Inside, a multicolored jumble of tall, tree-like columns takes center stage. It has all the elements of art nouveau, gothic, surrealism, and romance.

4. Notre Dame de Paris, Paris, France

Photo: GoodFon

One of the most significant Gothic structures still standing in France is the magnificent Nôtre Dame Cathedral, which was constructed on the Ile de la Cité in the Seine.

One of the most significant structures in France, the Nôtre Dame ("Our Lady") Cathedral is located in the heart of Paris on the Ile de la Cité (Island of the City), an island in the middle of the Seine. It was once the site of multiple coronations of different kings and queens, including Napoleon Bonaparte, and is dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God.

28 sculptures that depict the biblical kings are housed within the King's Gallery's ornate architecture, which is situated above the three sizable portals. But during the French Revolution, these statues were destroyed because the angry citizens mistook them for statues of French kings. Towards the end of the 20th century, some of these statues' heads continued to reappear. They now reside among the priceless artifacts in a medieval museum.

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5. Duomo Di Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Photo: Lonely Planet

One of the most well-known cities in Tuscany is Siena, where the Cathedral attracts thousands of visitors annually. If you've visited the Florence Duomo, the Siena Duomo offers a striking contrast. In Siena, one cannot help but wonder what to look at first, in contrast to the dull interior of the Florence Cathedral. There are paintings and mosaics all over the walls, floors, and ceiling. The cathedral is home to sculptures by Donatello, Bernini, and Michelangelo. Both the belltower and the columns are embellished with an uncommon pattern of stripes in black and white.

One of Italy's most striking marble façades is found on the Cathedral. The cathedral entrance fee is a little price, but it is well worth it. Even if you only have time to admire the gorgeous exterior of the church, a visit to the Cathedral is still worthwhile.

6. St Paul’s Cathedral, London, England

Photo: klook

Located atop Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, is St. Paul's Church, the Anglican Cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of London. In London, it stood as the tallest structure from 1710 until 1962. After the Great Fire of London destroyed the previous St. Paul's, construction on the new church started in 1675, and it was first dedicated for service in 1708.

Dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle, St. Paul's has hosted a number of Royal English ceremonies, including the wedding of Prince Edward and Lady Diana, Winston Churchill's funeral, peace services commemorating the end of World War I and II, and Elizabeth II's Gold and Diamond Jubilee. In addition, the church is a working church with daily services and hourly prayer.

7. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna, Austria

Photo: iStock

The Vienna Archdiocese's seat is Stephansdom, also known as St. Stephen's Cathedral, which was built between 1137 and 1160. In the presence of German ruler Conrad III, Bishop Otto of Freising, and other German aristocrats who were preparing to go on the Second Crusade, the church was dedicated to Saint Stephen in 1147.

Several of the most famous figures in European history and culture, such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonio Vivaldi, and Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor, were married or had their funerals held in the church. The Euro 10-cent coin also has the Cathedral on it.

8. Kölner Dom, Cologne, Germany

Photo: Flickr

Cologne, which is located on the Rhine, boasts a stunning old town that is primarily made up of churches and museums. The most striking is the Kölner Dom, a 13th-century Cologne Cathedral that is also the city's second-biggest building and the third-largest church worldwide.

The architecture of this Gothic cathedral is simply breathtaking, with its stone façade, twin towers that dominate the city skyline, and exquisite stained-glass stories. Once you arrive, you have to ascend the 500 steps to the summit, where you can take in the views and discover the cathedral's hidden treasure, which is located in the mediaeval crypt.

9. St. Stephen's Basilica, Budapest, Hungary

Photo: Big Bus Tours

Completed in 1905, this neoclassical Roman Catholic church is relatively new when compared to many other churches throughout Europe. St. Stephen's Basilica, however, is in perfect harmony with the rest of Budapest's historic district thanks to its symmetrical architecture and exquisite dome.

Like many other Catholic churches, St. Stephen's is not without its relics. This basilica is named for Saint Stephen, whose right hand is kept in a reliquary there.

10. Meteora Monasteries, Thessaly, Greece

Photo: Hotels of Greece

Nothing is more peaceful than a monastery like the Meteora Monasteries in Thessaly, central Greece, perched atop a massive rock pillar overlooking the town of Kalambaka.

Tourists can visit this collection of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, many of which are still home to monks and nuns today, despite their remote location.

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