Churches and other religious places are sure to represent the history and culture of a place like nothing else. These are undoubtedly the most attractive places for tourists to visit during their trips to particular places. If these magnificent churches are a charm for you too, check out some of the best of these churches whose architecture is amazingly impressive to pull a lot of visitors toward them.
La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
Antoni Gaudi who was a Catalan architect started constructing this church building in 1882 that remained an unfinished masterpiece after the death of Gaudi in 1926. The church is still one of the best to witness for its amazing Gothic artwork based on Art Nouveau. The beauty of this cathedral attracts thousands of people every year to Barcelona. Its nativity facade was completed by Gaudi and simply looks stunning. La Sagrada Familia has five naves, 18 spires and a range of architecturally marvelous sculptures. It is a superb piece of art to be seen by every Barcelona visitor.
St. Barthlomew’s Church, Bavaria, Germany
Located in Lake Konigsee in Berchtesgaden village, the St. Barthlomew’s Church has a difficult access. One has to reach this place by ship and then complete a five-hour hike across the Bavarian Alps to enter this serene place. But once you reach here, you will find your efforts worthwhile as this Baroque-style structure would mesmerize you with its architectural beauty. Locate at a short distance to Salzburg, this church is quite influenced by the Salzburg Cathedral. Its domes would look like red onions to you and there is some superb artwork done by Joseph Schmidt, a Salzburg artist. Joseph has done some great stucco work in this wonderful structure.
Notre Dame du Haut, Ronchamp, France
This modern-looking church has been world famous for its unique architecture. Le Corbusier who was a Franco-Swiss architect designed the chapel of Notre Dame de Haut during early 1950s. If you look at the church’s exteriors from different angles, you will get a unique view every time as it has been designed like a sculpture, keeping in mind to offer varied perspectives to viewers. There spreads a magical glow on the walls when the light falls on its colored-glass deep windows. Based high up on a hill, the chapel also has an outside pulpit where crowds can sit to enjoy some beautiful field views.
Borgund Stave Church, Borgund, Norway
Built in 1100s, this unique stave church is very well preserved. Its distinctive features include carved exteriors that display warriors and dragonheads with the Viking theme. Though interiors of the church are simple, its architecture alone is outstanding and unique. In addition, it is the only freestanding wooden bell tower in the country. So if you are on a visit to Norway, try including this architectural wonder in your bucket list.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City
This cathedral is already quite famous as tourists get to see its pictures on postcards and guidebooks of New York. This cathedral is the seat of the archbishop who presides over the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. The St. Patrick’s Cathedral covers a complete city block and has the capacity to accommodate around 2,200 people. There are spires of the cathedral that rise up to about 330 feet from the ground level. Millions of people visit this cathedral every year to see St. Elizabeth, St. Louis and St. Michael altars. They also want to witness the Stations of the Cross, which got the top prize at 1893’s Chicago World fair.
Church of Hallgrimur, Reykjavik, Iceland
This church is a jewel of Reykjavik and its tower is visible from any place within the city as it is the tallest building out there. This landmark tower’s design reflects Iceland’s glacial landscapes and lava flows from volcanoes. The church has a huge organ that includes 5,275 pipes. If you go on a visit to this church, you should definitely not miss the elevator ride that is provided to go up the observation tower to reach a viewing deck from where a stunning view of the city and mountains can be had. To reach this church, the best option is to walk up the hill on which it is located. You could go up the hill from any side.
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
Though there are several beautiful churches in the Vatican City, you would find St. Peter’s Basilica to outshine each of them. This church attracts nearly 20,000 tourists daily and is considered to be the greatest achievement of Michelangelo. Its skyline-kissing dome is its most marvelous feature, while the interiors are also breathtaking. There is all marble and gilding decoration done inside the church. You may witness Baroque and Renaissance sculptures inside the church that are just invaluable.