Churches have long had the wealth and power to preserve history and fund creative, often extravagant works of art. While it can get repetitive to visit churches time and time again, some churches stand head and shoulders above the rest. The best churches in the world are often the ones that not only have a history or legend to them but are also the most beautiful churches in the world and dazzle with their extraordinary beauty.
15 Most Beautiful Churches in World
1. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
One of the most popular churches in the world is renowned for both its Churches amazing beauty and its incomplete state. The Sagrada Familia’s construction is still unfinished, having begun in 1882. Although its creator, Antoni Gaudí, passed away before his designs could be carried out, La Sagrada is currently scheduled to be finished by 2026, the year of his centennial. This modernist basilica is stunning, especially inside, despite its incomplete state.
2. Notre-Dame de Paris, France
Notre Dame, which is regarded as one of the most exquisite Catholic churches in the world, caught fire in April 2019 and severely damaged its roof. As it is being renovated, it may be closed for up to five years. Sadly, this means that visitors who wish to see the rose windows and vaulted ceiling of this 1345-completed church will have to wait. The renowned front facade of the medieval cathedral, which is home to the Hunchback of Notre Dame, is still visible from the outside.
3. Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy
The amazing structure that dominates Florence’s skyline is most likely better known as the Florence Duomo. Completing in 140 years, the Santa Maria del Fiore, along with the nearby Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile, is a significant portion of Florence’s Renaissance legacy. The massive brick dome on top stands in stark contrast to the exterior’s multicolored marble. The huge interior of the cathedral indicates its significance right away, while the views from Giotto’s Campanile and the cathedral dome complete the picture.
4. St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta, Malta
Malta’s St. John’s Co-Cathedral is a representation of the principles of the faith. From the outside, this 16th-century cathedral might not look like much, but inside, you’re going to be in for a really pleasant surprise. Every surface of the church is covered in paintings, marble, and opulent Baroque décor. It had renovations in the seventeenth century. St. John’s Co-Cathedral also houses two of the well-known Italian painter Caravaggio’s works: Saint Jerome Writing and The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
5. St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow, Russia
Beautiful churches abound throughout Eastern Europe, and St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow is among the most renowned and colorful places of worship on earth. The cathedral is no longer in use after being taken during the Soviet Union’s anti-theist campaign, although it was for decades a highly revered symbol of Russian Orthodox faith. Its outside is akin to a bonfire, and its inside is as vibrant and imposing, with murals and iconography covering every available space.
6. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
Surely, one of the most beautiful churches in the world is also the largest. The center of Catholicism is St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Since the basilica is thought to be the resting place of St. Peter, one of Christ’s favorite apostles, it is only fitting that devoted Catholics make trips there. Although there have been churches on this site since the fourth century, the current basilica was built in 1626. Although the basilica is already an amazing view from St. Peter’s Square, its expansive interior and ornate decoration are its real highlights.
7. Duomo di Milano, Milan, Italy
Although there are several significant churches and cathedrals around Italy, the Duomo in Milan is the biggest building in the nation. The Duomo, sometimes called the Milan Cathedral, is an enormous Gothic work of art that took almost six centuries to build. That should come as no surprise, considering that it is the third-largest church in the world in terms of area. When you visit the roof, you can truly get a close-up look at the Duomo’s excessively elaborate spires and pinnacles, which are covered in amazing detail. The tastefully tiled floor adds even more grandeur.
8. St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is home to several impressive landmarks, but the city’s central St. Stephen’s Basilica stands out among them. Because the hand of St. Stephen, the nation’s patron saint, is kept here, this basilica has deep cultural and historical ties to Hungary. Finished in 1905, it may not be the oldest building, but its grand exterior and interior more than make up for it. The gilded altar and gorgeous cupola above give the building’s classical front a sense of grandeur and power, while the inside is highly ornate.
9. Catedral Basílica Del Pilar, Zaragoza, Spain
One possible earliest chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary is the Catedral Basilica del Pilar in Zaragoza. That’s because, based on legend, St. James saw the Virgin Mary here, and she gave him a jasper column and told him to build a cathedral in her honor. After that, chapels, churches, and finally the current basilica were constructed around the pillar. The basilica’s legends are amazing, but the cathedral itself is a beautiful view. The massive interior rooms are lavishly furnished in a Baroque style, while the façade, including four towers and a fun tiled roof, is constructed in the traditional Mudejar style.
10. Kölner Dom, Cologne, Germany
Did you realize that the city of Cologne, rather than Berlin or Munich, is home to Germany’s most visited tourist destination? The stunning Gothic colossus known as Kölner Dom is the most visited sight in the nation. In addition to being a World Heritage Site and an iconic emblem of Cologne, it is also the second-tallest church in Europe and the world’s tallest cathedral. In addition to admiring the pride of Cologne’s soaring spires and graceful main door, make sure to venture inside to experience the sense of space created by the tall ceilings.
11. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna, Austria
The stunning Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral is located in the center of the Austrian capital. The tower of the cathedral serves as a signal for anyone who is lost in the city. The cathedral’s façade displays its medieval roots, while its roof is adorned with amazing patterns created by multicolored tiles. Founded in 1147, St. Stephen’s is regarded as the most significant Catholic landmark in the city.
12. Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik, Iceland
You need look no further than Reykjavik’s Hallgrimskirkja for a church with a distinctive style. Completed in 1986, this contemporary church is perched on a hilltop with a view over the capital of Iceland. It is thought that features of the Icelandic environment, like the stacks of basalt rock along the coast, served as inspiration for the church’s design. This Christian church has a modern, minimalist interior and an elevator that goes to the central tower to give you views of the surrounding area and city.
13. St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague, Czechia
Prague is renowned for its breathtaking vistas, and one of the most captivating is the one that faces the famous St. Vitus Cathedral, which is housed inside Prague Castle. St. Vitus Cathedral, which stands guard over the capital of the Czech Republic, is a very significant and magnificent Gothic monument from the fourteenth century. Its elaborate Gothic exterior is admirable from the outside, and the vivid stained glass windows inside will astound you. But the tomb of St. Wenceslas, one of the main patron saints of Czechia, is located in the St. Wenceslas Chapel.
14. Chapel Of The Holy Cross, Arizona, USA
A church chapel sticking out of the side of a red rock cliff in the Arizona desert is probably not where you would expect to find one of these things. Still, that’s the location of the remarkably unique Chapel of the Holy Cross outside of Sedona. This modern church was designed by Margaret Brunswig Staude and finished in 1957. Its angular, stiff form contrasts with the untamed surroundings. The 27-meter-tall crucifix that is situated in front of colorful glass at the southwest end of the structure is its most distinctive feature. Its interior feels far more at home amid the sandstone rocks than its façade, which contrasts with the rugged surroundings.
15. St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia, Bulgaria
The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia is only one of the many beautiful churches and cathedrals found throughout the Balkans, despite their lack of prominence on our list. With its striking gold-plated domes and Neo-Byzantine design, it makes sense that this glittering cathedral is among the most valuable sights in the capital of Bulgaria. One of the biggest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was finished in 1912 and has an opulent interior filled with mosaics and murals that perfectly complement its ornate facade.
I can provide you with a list of 15 historically and architecturally significant churches that have been widely recognized for their beauty. Please note that this list may not reflect the current status, and there may be new additions or changes.
