Michelle

St. Vitus in Prague IS beautiful. Another is St. Stephen's in Vienna. <BR> <BR>http://www.cineworld.com/Vienna/Cust..._stephens.html <BR> <BR>A great British one is Canterbury in Kent.

s.fowler

I still vote for Chartres! The glass in St. Vitus in Prague is very interesting. A lot of it looks as though someone forgot to tell a mosaic designer that this was going to be stained glass! It is vibrant indeed. <BR>In the church category don't miss St. Nikolas of Mala Strana just over the Charles Bridge in Prague. It is what my husband calls "baroque in excelsis"! Not to everyones taste [not mine either really] but its pink and green "faux rainbow marble" has to be seen. It is *almost* completely rerenovated now. <BR>For those of you who have emailed me recently, my old server is temporarily [I hope] down. I've lost my address book so... remail please!

dan

It is hard to pick the tops in Europe without visiting them all, but here are the top ones that I have visited: <BR> <BR>1. Chartres - I am sure there are a few that are comparable, but how can you surpass the beautiful interior of this place, especially the glass. I saw a wedding when I was there, and there were really not that many tourists, making it even more spiritual. <BR> <BR>2. Notre-Dame de Paris - I completely disagree with what others have said about its appearance, but of course this is a subjective question anyway. I have heard similar reports from others I know. I think too many go to Notre-Dame, expecting a towering building that dominates the city. Notre-Dame really doesn't fit that description. Also, it can be very crowded, which did lessen my own impression of the interior. However, I feel that its flying buttresses, collection of gargoyles, its position on the Seine, and an amazing view, all argue for this cathedral's place near the top. I also feel that the history of a place can add to its beauty, and there is certainly no lack of that here. <BR> <BR>3. Freiburg Munster (Freiburg, Germany) - A beautiful pink sandstone building capped by a majestic clock tower, and it does dominate its surroundings. <BR> <BR>4. St. Vitus - Prague - I too loved its mosaic appearance, and there are few sites in Europe more impressive than this cathedral and the surrounding castle rising above the Vltava (it literally seems visible from everywhere). <BR> <BR>5. Notre Dame de Strasbourg - Different with its single spire, one of the highest in Europe at over 400 ft, and completely dominates its surroundings. <BR> <BR> <BR>

C Randolph

I have been to Prague and I must say it has beautiful churches all over the city! Also, the Duomo in Milano is quite spectacular! There is one church ( I wouldn't call it a cathedral), in Venice that is very simple, but equally gorgeous to many of the cathedrals that I have seen. I'm sorry to say I don't know it's name, but it is on one of the islands that are close to Venice. You can get there by water taxi. It's awful, but I can't tell you the name of the island either! Maybe someone else can. The church though, is about the only building on this island! There are a few homes also, but only a few. When we were there, a concert was performed inside this church! It was wonderful! The acoustics were incredible! The church itself is very old, but is stunning in it's simplicity. A definite recommendation.

Michel

My favourite European cathedrals include St. Peter's in Rome, Le Sacré Cœur in Paris, Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, the Duomo in Florence, the cathedral in Seville, and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelone. I agree with the comments regarding Mexico City's Basilica, and although I'm getting far from Europe, I would like to add the wonderful Basilica in Lima, Peru.

Peter

Rheims is in poor condition and totally uncommerical and transports you back into the middle ages! (and the champagne ain't bad!) <BR>Notre Dame de Strasbourg is a "busy," working cathedral in a lovely setting - in a great city! Nothing can surpass Chartres - we can go back again and again!! <BR>

Lynda

It would be difficult to say which is the greatest. I loved Chartres, Notre Dame, Dom in Cologne, St. Stephens in Vienna and many others in places like Munich, Passau and Mainz. They each have their own character. <BR> <BR>None in the United States can even come close the history in these cathedrals. The one in the United States that I think is as beautiful as any I have seen in Europe is the New Cathedral in St. Louis. I have never seen such mosaics as in this cathedral. It is truly a beauty.

Amita

If you ever make it up to the Orkney Islands, the cathedral in Kirkwall (sorry, forgot the name) is interesting because it is made of pink stone as opposed to the usual gray. <BR> <BR>If you ever want a break from the big guys, try to make it to Carona on Lago Lugano on the Swiss-Italian border. You take a boat to the shore, where you board a funicular which takes you up the mountain to this hidden, walled, cobble-stoned town with a lovely, tiny, light-filled church with frescoes on the walls, and a refreshing dearth of tourists. I've seen many European cathedrals, but that little church was special.

Bee

The Duomo in Milan is magnificent! The facade with its 135 spires is breathtaking and the interior is quiet, sombre and magical. I also love the York Minster. Both Gothic cathedrals are awe inspiring. <BR> <BR>St. Peter's in the Vatican is also great. The Pieta and the interior are amazing!

Bee

The Duomo in Milan is magnificent! The facade with its 135 spires is breathtaking and the interior is quiet, sombre and magical. I also love the York Minster. Both Gothic cathedrals are awe inspiring. <BR> <BR>St. Peter's in the Vatican is also great. The Pieta and the interior are amazing!

Jorge

Hidden away in the southwestern corner of Europe is the little, and nearly always-forgotten country of Portugal. Has anyone been there and seen any religious structure other than the Basilica in Fatima? <BR>Condsider the following: Mosteiro dos Jeronimos in Lisbon (Absolutely Breathtaking!); The convent in Mafra; Mosteiro de Batalha and Alcobaca; Bom Jesus of Braga; and St Francis of Evora and its "Chapel of the Bones".

Joe

I returned from France 2 days ago. We were surpised to find a lovely cathedral in Tours -- not something we'd heard about. It's certainly worth a detour if you're in the Loire Valley. The narrow, tall nave and exceptional stained glass behind the altar make it an unusually beautiful provincial cathedral. We also attended Nocturnes des Notre Dame in Paris. The program is offered through the summer on Wednesday evenings from 7-9, a time when the cathedral is usually closed. Visitors are met at the door and told that they must remain silent in the church; you're also encouraged to walk to the altar and then look back at the setting sun through the rose window. The cathedral is less crowded and certainly quieter than at other times.

Donna

Wies Church in Bavaria is small, baroque, and elegant. A farmer was inspired by a dream to build this church on his farmland, so he did! Easy to find, easy to enjoy. And in Milan, go to the Santa Maria de la Grazie and see the Last Supper. Now, that is outstanding.

Cathy Friedmann

My very favorite cathedral in Europe is York Minster. But... since you've probably been there & want to know about cathedrals on the continent, Chartres - about an hour south of Paris - gets my vote!

joe

The British Gothic cathedrals have to be the best, especially when the boys are rehearsing evensong, but, and it's a hard choice, York simply has to get the prize. But a few of my other favorites would be: <BR>the two cathedrals in Liverpool, both on one street. The Catholic one is very modern - Paddy's Wigwam - and the Anglican one, which was completed after the Catholic, is inspiring in its greatness. <BR>Also Wells cathedral is amazing, as are Ely and St. Edmonsbury, all very small cities which were raised to bishoprics in the middle ages. <BR>Although it's not a cathedral, Beverley Minster is beautiful, tucked away in a sleepy farming town in East Yorkshire, not far from York. <BR>In London, forget Westminster Abbey - too touristy. Try Westminster Cathedral, the main Catholic cathedral in England, built in Byzantine style at the turn of the century. St Paul's also deserves a mention. <BR>Germany - Fulda for Baroque, the town is charming. <BR>Forget Cologne - there's nothing else to see there. <BR>Freiburg is also v. nice, apparently. <BR>The Dom in Bremen is also impressive. <BR>France, Sacre Coeur and Strasbourg. <BR>Russia - St Basils in Moscow - like a series of catocombs, and then EVERY cathedral in Petersburg.

Dan

I was surprised that Reims was only mentioned once as it has a graceful exterior (currently undergoing renovation) that far surpasses Notre Dame's. <BR>We, too, make sure to visit cathedrals and churches on our European tours. It's probably true that my favorite is the last one I visited. Each is so unique in detail, history and aura that it's almost unfair to rate them in any way. But since you asked, my favorites SO FAR (still have many to see) are: <BR>1. Westminster Abbey - despite the tourists, contains more of one country's history that any other - the tombs, the Poets Corner, the Henry VII Chapel - I tell people that if you had only a few hours to spend in the UK, you could take all of it in here; <BR>2. Chartres - all the previous comments are true - don't deprive yourself of a guided tour by what's his name (it's in all the Guide Books ) - Malcolm something?? It made the visit all the more interesting - even if his name escapes me right now; <BR>3. Wells Cathedral - for the figure-8 interior arches and the exterior massing; <BR>4. St.Peter's - after seeing the great Gothic cathedrals I expected to be underwhelmed by the Renaissance work - but to the contrary - I was speechless. Take as much time as possible studying the various marble monuments to the popes that line the sides of the nave, and Berini's high altar - go up to the dome and look out over Rome; <BR>5. Amiens/Reims/Beauvais Cathedrals - like trying to pick among three perfect flowers; <BR>6. St. Vitus - for the windows and because of what it has survived this century; (ditto St. Stephen's in Vienna - with its restored roof which should be seen up close); <BR>7. Notre Dame -for the history, the gargoyles, the setting <BR>8. Siena - a rare Gothic gem south of the Alps, with its unique black marble pillars; <BR>9. The Duomo in Florence, for the dome and tower and the bands of green, white and pink marble (and because it's in Florence). <BR> Salisbury was under heavy renovation on our visit a few years back so it's hard to consider it a favorite - guess we'll have to return. Still need to see Ulm, Koln, Yorkminster, Milan, St,.Mark's - all in due time. <BR> My wife has read "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follettt, about medieval cathedral construction, and highly recommends it for anyone caught up in Gothic architecture. <BR> As for churches - if you're in Rome please don't miss San Andrea del Quirinale - an oval-shaped Baroque masterpiece by Bernini. And Saint-Chappelle in Paris is in a league of its own. <BR> This is a fascinating topic, probably the best one I've seen on Fodor's. Thanks. <BR> <BR>

Dan

I wanted to add a comment about churches in the US. Obviously we can't match the Old World for the grandeur of their cathedrals, but the National Cathedral in DC comes pretty close - with authentic construction methods and detaling, and a sense of (American) history. When you're in DC, it's worth the trip out to the corner of Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues for a tour. We do have a number of churches that have amassed some interesting history over the years - St.Pat's in NYC, St, Matthew's in DC, not to mention the southern churches involved in the Civil Rights struggle, the missions in California and the southwest, Trinity in Philadelphia - there are many others that could be added to the list. And not too far away is Notre Dame in Montreal. Plus the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake, the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in DC, St. John the Divine in NYC, and a stone Gothic gem named St. Bernard of Clairvaux here in Pittsburgh that could have been lifted straight out of the French Alps and can hold its own against the great ones. <BR>

Zoe

Strictly speaking, it's not a cathedral, but my favourite has to be Bath Abbey. It is very special to me as I was christened there. Some day I hope to get married there too! It is a truly beautiful and awesome place.

jparrent

Another vote for Chartres. Also if he hasn't already been mentioned-be sure to take the tour with Malcolm Miller-he is as much an institution now as the Cathedral! His window readings are not to be missed-he usually posts his times in the lobby. <BR> <BR>Also, I must add Saint Chapelle in Paris to the list-maybe not really a cathedral-but incredible all the same

Joe Lomax

Here is another picky guy. S. Peter's in Rome is not the Cathedral of Rome even though the original <BR>cathedra (chair) of the first pope, Peter, is there. The Seat of the Bishop of Rome is St. John Lateran. <BR>It took a big hit the 75 years the pope was in France and when they returned they preferred the <BR>more easily defensible Vatican area (nearer the Castel S. Angelo). If you do go to S. John L., be <BR>sure to go to the Cloister as well as seeing the apse mosaics and for those of a baroque bent, the <BR>almost human side aisles by Borromini that pull and push you forward. <BR>A sidelight on S. Marco in Venice. It was not until the fall of the Republic in 1797 that S. Marco <BR> became the Cathedral. S. Pietro in Castello was the home of the bishop. S. Marco was the Doge's 'chapel'. The Venetians were always interested in <BR>keeping the Church away from their commercial interests. I love the quiet streets taking you out <BR>to the church and the various more simple monuments <BR> in the church. The island that C. Randolph was talking about must be Torcello which was the Seat of the Bishop in the Lagoon for about 7 hundred years. <BR> Unfortunately, silting and malaria caused the island to be nearly abandoned. I wholely agree with his opinion. As for another church that is not a <BR>cathedral, S. Francesco in Assisi. The upper church is still closed as far as I know, but the lower <BR>church is my favorite anyway (I may be alone in this). Perhaps it is my preference for Sienese <BR>rather than Florentine painting. <BR>