Rising dramatically above the cities around them, Most Famous Cathedrals and their lofty spires make for some of the most visible and recognisable landmarks around. Sometimes built not only centuries but millennia ago,
these monumental buildings symbolised God’s power and might. Their belltowers also served a practical purpose as they called people to worship from the surrounding countryside.
Captivating to visit, cathedrals boast lots of beautiful architecture, with breathtaking sculptures, exquisite artworks, and stained glass windows decorating their interior. Popular among both worshippers and tourists alike,
these astounding edifices now count among the world’s most impressive artistic, architectural, and historical monuments.
Most Famous Cathedrals in the World
Saint Sophia’s Cathedral
With its sparkling white walls and green and gold cupolas, Saint Sophia’s Cathedral is one of Kiev’s most Famous Cathedrals- and fetching sights. Named after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, the beautiful Byzantine-style cathedral was originally built in the 11th century to house the tombs of Kievan rulers.
As such, its walls were decked with fabulous frescoes and mosaics. Almost demolished by the Soviets, the cathedral thankfully still lies in the centre of Kiev for everyone to enjoy.
St. Vitus Cathedral
Rising from amid the sprawling Prague Castle complex, the enormous St. Vitus Cathedral, with its 102-metre-high spire, towers dramatically over its surroundings. Built in 1344 atop of earlier churches and basilicas,
the colossal edifice houses the ornate tombs of a number of kings of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperors.
As it was here too that they were coronated, its interior is fittingly decorated with lovely stained glass windows, elegant arcades, and fine mosaics. The Chapel of St. Wenceslas is its undoubted highlight. St. Vitus Cathedral,
with its gorgeous Gothic architecture and fantastic façade, is the largest and most important church in the whole of Czechia.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
One of the city’s most recognizable symbols, St. Stephen’s Cathedral lies in Stephansplatz in the heart of Vienna. Exhibiting some gorgeous Romanesque and Gothic architecture, the cathedral boasts a lofty tower and glimmering limestone walls, with its wonderful roof mosaics being one of its defining features.
Inside are atmospheric crypts and catacombs for visitors to explore, which house the remains of important members of the Hapsburg dynasty. Since it was built in 1137, the cathedral has been one of Vienna’s most arresting architectural and historical landmarks.
Cologne Cathedral
With its huge twin spires that stretch 157 metres into the air, Cologne Cathedral boasts the largest facade of any church in the world. Coated in sculptures and fine carvings, this certainly makes for a magnificent sight, as does the revered Shrine of the Three Kings that lies within.
While work first began on the cathedral in 1248, it was only finally completed in 1880, with its design largely based on that of Amiens Cathedral. Overlooking the banks of the Rhine river, Cologne Cathedral and its impressive Gothic architecture is the most visited landmark in the whole of Germany.
Catedral Basílica Del Pilar
Built in a beautiful Baroque style, the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, as it is known in English, is one of Zaragoza’s most popular tourist attractions. While it was only erected in 1681, numerous chapels and churches have been built on the same spot,
ever since the Mother of God was miraculously sighted on the banks of the Ebro in 40 AD.
Sometimes referred to as the ‘Mother of the Hispanic Peoples,’ the cathedral’s fetching facade is topped by lots of attractive cupolas that lie around its central dome. It looks particularly stunning at night when its fine features are fabulously illuminated and reflected in the waters of the river.
Zipaquira Salt Cathedral
An absolutely incredible place to visit, Zipaquira Salt Cathedral lies some 200 metres below the ground, deep within the confines of a salt mine. Hewn out of the solid rock with finely carved icons and sculptures on show, the cathedral is set over three levels.
These represent both the birth and life of Jesus as well as his death. An astonishing architectural achievement, the salt cathedral is now a popular tourist and pilgrimage site and can be found outside the city of Zipaquira in Colombia.
Saint John’s Co-Cathedral
While its Mannerist exterior is quite plain and indistinct, the interior of Saint John’s Co-Cathedral is thought to be one of the best examples of Baroque architecture around. Very elaborately and intricately decorated, its ceilings and walls are coated in glittering gold, with grand marble tombstones on show next to stupendous paintings and statues.
Its nine chapels are just as rich in their ornamentation, and even more treasures and artworks can be found in the adjoining museum. Lying in the heart of Valletta, Saint John’s Co-Cathedral is not to be missed out on.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
With the soaring skyscrapers of Manhattan rising all around it, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is certainly set in a spectacular spot. Completed in 1878, it boasts some exquisite Neo-Gothic architecture, with two elegant spires lying either side of a stunning stained glass rose window.
Inside are some fine altars and artworks, with the huge Pieta statue being the undoubted highlight of what’s on show. The largest cathedral of its type in the States, St. Patrick’s can be found on Fifth Avenue, right in front of the renowned Rockefeller Center.
St Paul’s Cathedral
One of the most famous and recognizable landmarks in London, St Paul’s Cathedral and its vast dome have dominated the city’s skyline ever since it was built back in 1697. Modeled on St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, St Paul’s colossal dome is its defining feature, reaching 111 meters in height.
Besides this, there is a brilliant Baroque facade for visitors to gaze upon, as well as gleaming marble floors and an amazing apse and altar inside.
With grand tombs and sarcophagi of influential Brits to be spied alongside arresting paintings and sculptures, it’s no wonder at all that St Paul’s Cathedral is such a popular tourist attraction.
FAQ:
Which is the very famous cathedral?
Notre Dame, Paris, France
No list of famous cathedrals would be complete without mentioning Notre Dame. However, Paris’s iconic landmark has made the headlines recently for all the wrong reasons
What is the most famous cathedral and where is it located?
Which city is famous for cathedral?
Bhubaneswar is known as the Cathedral city of India. Bhubaneswar meaning ‘ The lord of Universe ‘ , which is the capital of Odisha. It is the largest city in Odisha & called as ‘ Temple city of India ‘. It is the center of economic as well as has a religious importance in India.
