These Europe’s Most Impressive Cathedrals

Among the most fascinating sights throughout Europe are the continent’s many beautiful churches. These buildings, fueled by deep devotion, are where art met architecture and astonishing craftsmanship. They just don’t make buildings like these any more. Here are our top picks for the most picturesque churches in Europe. Let find out These Europe’s Most Impressive Cathedrals below.

These Europe’s Most Impressive Cathedrals

St. Stephen’s Cathedral: Vienna, Austria

A church dedicated to the favorite saint of Central Europe, St. Stephen’s tower in Vienna cast a long shadow over the streets below. A closer look reveals a mesmerizing colored tile roof and many intricate details.

Le Mont Saint Michel: Normandy, France

Among the most picturesque sights made by man has got to be the Le Mont Saint Michel in Normandy, and at the top is you guessed it, a church. This island wasn’t always out at sea. When it was built the Le Mont Saint Michel was on dry land, but as water levels rose it became the fairytale like island that it is today.

Westminster Abbey: London

Every visitor’s favorite church in London is the beautiful Westminster Abbey. In addition to hosting royal weddings, it’s also served as the backdrop to every British monarch’s coronation since 1066. In true Gothic style, the church towers over central London with spires reaching toward the sky.

Borgund Stavkirke: Borgund, Norway

Reminiscent of an Asian temple, this Norwegian stave church in Borgund is far from the ornate stone wonders you see in Europe’s capitals. Instead, it’s made from vertical wooden boards staves and has more than six stepped roofs culminating into a cross at the top. It’s considered one of Norway’s best remaining examples of traditional stave style churches. That is once of These Europe’s Most Impressive Cathedrals.

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore: Florence, Italy

Another beautiful renaissance church can be found in the beloved Italian city of Florence. The builders of this church were not afraid to use a bit of color when constructing this grand church.

Hagia Sophia: Istanbul, Turkey

Although no longer a church, the Hagia Sophia was originally a place of worship for the Greek Orthodox population of Istanbul. The church was later converted into a mosque, and now a museum.

Kölner Dom: Cologne, Germany

One of Europe’s great Gothic cathedrals, the Dom in Cologne towers over the city and keeps watch along the Rhine River. Feeling ambitious. Take the 533 step climb all the way to the top of the church for some killer views.

St. Peter’s Church: Riga, Latvia

The belle of this northeastern European city is the high steeple of St. Peter’s Church near the center of the town. The 403 foots tall weathered copper peak towers over the city; it’s also possible to climb to the top for a great photo op. That is once of These Europe’s Most Impressive Cathedrals.

St. Stephen’s Basilica: Budapest, Hungary

Not only beautiful from street level, St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest is similarly stunning. For those needing to work off all the delicious Hungarian food, take the 364 stairs to the top for unparalleled city views.

Church on the Lake: Lake Bled, Slovenia

The official name of this church is the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria, however, most just call it the Church on the Lake. The weathered white steeple of this church is what Lake Bled owes most of it’s popularity to. Without this church, it might just be another lake in Slovenia.

Sagrada Familia: Barcelona, Spain

This 135 years work in progress is the only incomplete church on the list, but its already incredibly impressive. The Barcelona church was the vision of artist Antoni Gaudí, but he died in 1926 with the project far from complete. The Sagrada Familia expected to be finished in about 10 years, roughly 100 years after Gaudí’s death.

Notre Dame Cathedral: Paris

One of the most famous churches in all of the world calls Paris home. Dating back to medieval times construction began in 1163, this medieval beauty lost much of its religious iconography during the French Revolution, though efforts restore the art and artifacts began as early as 1845, with another phase beginning in 1991. From tales of hunchback bell operators to the beautiful Gothic architecture, it’s hard not to love Notre Dame.