In the spirit of last week’s round-up of giant buddhas, today I bring you six awe-inspiring cathedrals. Let me be honest: When I started compiling this list, I didn’t know that a cathedral was anything other than a really big Catholic church. In fact, the term “cathedral” only applies to the principal church of a diocese, with which the bishop is officially associated. That definition knocks some of my favorite so-thought cathedrals (Sainte-Chappelle in Paris, Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, and the ruins of Saint Paul’s in Macau) off the list. Even with those exclusions, I still came up with so many awe-inspiring cathedrals that I decided to limit this list to six that I have already visited.
1. Cologne Cathedral
The High Cathedral of Saints Peter and Mary in Cologne, Germany — better known as the Cologne Cathedral — was the first grand cathedral that I saw. Perhaps it is no coincidence that it is also where I learned that climbing a narrow, spiral stone staircase to review a viewpoint is emphatically not for me. Hello, vertigo.
Construction began on the Cologne Cathedral in 1248, halted in 1473, and recommenced in the 19th century. Upon its completion in 1880, the cathedral held the title of the tallest building in the world for four years.
Its spires stretch 515 feet tall and are the second-tallest spires in the world. Including the spires, the church has the largest façade of any church in the world.
2. Notre Dame
Of course, you can’t have a list of impressive cathedrals without including Notre Dame.
Possibly the most famous cathedral in the world, Paris’s Notre Dame was constructed from 1163 through 1345. It is thought to be one of the first buildings in the world to use flying buttresses. Today, it is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in Europe.
One of the most-beloved features of Notre Dame is its hundreds of gargoyles. Although they are often thought of as synonomous with the building, these features were added in the nineteenth century.
3. Santa Maria del Fiore
Construction began on Florence’s Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in 1296 and was structurally completed in 1436. The cathedral is often called Il Duomo di Firenze in a nod to its grand dome.
The dome crowning the cathedral was once the largest dome in the world, and it remains the largest brick dome ever constructed. The interior is decorated with a fresco by Giorgio Vasari entitled The Last Judgment.
If you want a closer view of the incredible fresco or a singular view over Florence, it is possible to take in both by climbing the 463 stairs inside the dome. Personally, just thinking about making such a climbs makes my palms sweat — but I enjoy the photographs!
4. Saint Mark’s Basilica
The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark in Venice was originally the chapel of the Doge. The earliest version of the church was built in 828 but subsequently destroyed. The current construction dates to around 1073.
The basilica has been nicknamed “Chiesa d’Oro” — or the “Church of Gold” — because of its gold mosaics and lavish design. Unfortunately, only about one-third of the mosaic surface is thought to be the original.
The Horses of Saint Mark, my personal favorite touch, were installed around 1254. They date to Classical Antiquity and are thought to have once adorned the Arch of Trajan. Before arriving in Venice, they were displayed in the Hippodrome at Constantinople.
5. Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
Located in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood, the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine is the youngest church on this list. The fourth largest Christian church in the world, the cathedral covers 121,000 square feet and is impressive for its sheer size.
Nicknamed “Saint John the Unfinished,” construction began in 1892 and remains unfinished. Because of the extended construction period, many different architectural styles have left their mark on the church, resulting in a unique visage.
6. Hagia Sophia
Technically, the Hagia Sophia is a former cathedral. Once the largest cathedral in the world, the Hagia Sophia is now operated as a secular museum.
From its construction in 537 through 1453, the Hagia Sophia served as a Greek Orthodox cathedral and the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople. During this period, the building served as a Roman Catholic church from 1204 through 1261. Beginning in 1453 and continuing through 1931, the Hagia Sophia was used as a mosque. The building turned to its current usage — the museum — in 1935.
Because of its history as both a cathedral and a mosque, the Hagia Sophia is an incredibly interesting place to visit. Some of the original mosaics have been uncovered and co-exist with Islamic iconography. Of course, this has also caused tension: Christian mosaics can be restored, but often at the expense of Islamic art.
Which of these cathedrals have you visited? Do you have any favorite cathedrals not listed here?
Happy adventuring,
Katie.
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Image credits: (1) Exterior view of Cologne Church by Lori Branham; (2) Close-up exterior view of Cologne Church by fang’s photos; (3) Interior view of Cologne Church by fang’s photos; (4) Exterior view of Notre Dame by Jose Losada; (5) Gargoyles at Notre Dame by Jose Losada; (5) Exterior view of Duomo by Mark Smith; (6) View of dome inside Duomo by Anna Fox; (7) View from Duomo by Zach Dischner; (8) Exterior view of Saint Mark’s Basilica by Turinboy; (9) Interior of Saint Mark’s Basilica by Class V; (10) Street view of Saint John the Divine by Peyri Herrera; (11) Exterior of Saint John the Divine by Christopher John SSF. All other images author’s own.