TM

Great question. I have learned a lot and this will help me with my travel plans when I visit Europe in March. Someone mentioned that the Chartes is near Paris about one hour south? How do you get there, by train? Are there tours from Paris? How long would it take. Thanks. <BR> <BR>Also, some mentioned Wisconsin having a beautiful cathedrals, but never mentioned the name. I think they ment Holy Hill (40 minutes north west of Milwaukee) It is a beautiful cathedral perched a top a large hill. In the autumn with the fall leaves changing, it is beautiful to visit and the views are amazing.

Carol

For Kate re cathedrals in Italy: Milan has a great duomo, Venice of course, for cathedrals, I'd skip Verona and go to Padua for the Scrovegni chapel covered with Giotto's greatest frescos and St. Anthony's cathedral (across town from the Scrovegni); Florence of course and I'd do Siena which is an absolutely beautiful city, and has incredible Pinterrucchio frescos in the Piccolomini library in the Duomo (also not to be missed). Siena can be a day trip from Florence. Two day trips from Rome which you must do for cathedrals are Assisi and Orvieto. Rome itself has many wonderful churches besides St. Peters (wonderful from an art and architecture perspective) as does Venice. I'm sure you'll have a terrific time planning this trip and deciding what to see!

Harald Hansen

Great topic! <BR> <BR>One the subject of smaller cathedrals, I suggest Nidaros in Trondheim, Norway. Begun in the 12th Century, completed in the 13th century, if I recall correctly. <BR> <BR>Strikingly beautiful carved niches. Wait for a sunny day to see it if you can, though Trondheim has a serious shortage of sunny days. We had great summers the last two years, so perhaps we are due for a bad one. <BR> <BR>The stained glass is curiously done. Different enough to justify the visit. Simpler, coarser, more designed to be looked at out of the corner of your eye, rather than to stare at it. If that makes any sense. Creates the sensation of movement.

Nancy

I agree that Chartres is absolutely magnificant, but I also fell in love with Reims. I was there in the spring and the trees were in bloom; it was heavenly! Also, the Russian churches in Moscow and St. Petersburg are fabulous and so interesting.

cheryl

I know this is an old post, and other people are probably tired of it, but I just found it and can't resist adding a couple of my favorites that no one else mentioned. One of our all time favorites is St. Denis outside of Paris. Some of the stained glass dates from the same period as the Chartres Cathedral, and is almost as beautiful. The cathedral itself is more open and light than most, and most of the kings of France are interred there. We are not big fans of St. Patrick's in NY (too touristy), but nearby is an Episcopal church (St. Thomas'???) with a spectacular altar, the most peaceful spot on 5th Ave.

Maira

Any new ones?

Martha B

Not cathedrals, but wonderful religious architecture in the romanesque abbeys at Conques and Moissac, France. The treasury at Conques is superb, too, and the stone carvings at Moissac are just incredible.

Hyalker

Hey Kate: Of the ones mentioned so far, St. Vitus in Prague stands out especially for its stained glass. Living here part-time, it is also a beautiful sight from the Charles Bridge at night when it is lit up or early morning when the moon is close to full. And the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The stories/fables on the worn away hole in the column on the left as you enter and the fact that its dome was the largest in the worl for 1000 years until St. Peter's was built fascinate me. For Maira's sake, one not mentioned which I feel is historically slighted is the Cathedral in Laon, France (not far Reims). From what I read about it, it is the cathedral from which the great gothic ones in France all borrowed design pieces from, e.g. the facade of Notre Dame. Apparently it is overlooked because Hiter thought it to be the supreme form of German gothic architecture and thus, a)never allowed it to be bombed and b)had soldiers cleaning the inside meticulously so that it is actually "light" inside with very pretty stained glass. I thought it comparable to many. I visited it with friends living in Laon and combined it with a visit to the cathedral in Reims and the Mumm champagne facility. A nice day trip from Brussels.

Maira

Kate, <BR> <BR>There is an excellent novel titled "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett about the building of a Gothic Cathedral in 12th-century England. The book is engrossing as it describes in a fictionalized account the lifes of a Master Mason, clergy, laborers, knights, and of those involved in a construction of a Cathedral in those turbulent Middle Age times. Strongly recommend this book for all lovers of European travels.

graziella

Hi, I am not going to choose one because most of the above mentioned are superbe, ...instead I am going to add one Leon...its vitreaux are absolutely fantastic besides being a tremendous gothic building...and most important there are NO crowds inside... <BR>PS the last time I was in Paris on March <BR>1998 , it was a Tuesday ( I know bad day to visit Notre Dame, but inside there were organized lines ( they had some kind of fences)..... <BR>

kiathy

Duplicates, but vote is for the Duomo in Milan for sure and St. Chappele in Paris. Both beautiful and certainly memorable for different reasons.Glad we saw (experienced) both. <BR>

joe travel

If I may be so bold as to add two more Churches, both of which are modern, are not in Europe, and in fact, are not Cathedrals, but Basilicas. The first is the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, which has beautiful displays to the Virgin (be it statues, mosaics, what have you) from countries all over the world. The other is our own Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in WAshington DC. This wonderful church is the eigth largest in the world, and often over-looked by visitors to Washington. It was meant to be "a great hymn in stone", and was built from contributions from Catholics all over the US. It was originally meant to be Gothic, but they changed to the Romanesque style, because Washington Washington already had a <BR>gothic Cathedral, the Episcopal. Oh happy fault! The scale in the great upper Church is enormous, and beautiful in its simplicity. Please do not miss this wonderful Church when you come to Washington.

Maira

Since my previous August '98 post, I've been to another list-worthy cathedral: the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela at Plaza del Obradoiro. Definitely build to impress and inspire the weary pilgrims upon arrival. The sight of the high altar from the door is awe-inspiring. The original entrance, Portico de la Gloria, carved by Maestro Mateo, is unbelievable. <BR> <BR>Special mention also to the Cathedral in Leon. Very special place.

Kaja

Hi Kate, <BR>I will also recomend the book "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Folett. One of my favourite books. <BR>I also suggest Nidarosdomen in Trondheim which another post suggested. Take a look at the web page about Trondheim: http://www.trondheim.com/ <BR>You will find pictures and a description about Nidarosdomen there. <BR>If you are interested in other historical sights in this area I would recommend Munkholmen which is an old convent, Steinvikholen Slott which is ruins of a castle, Værnes Church in Stjordal which is one of Norways oldest buildings, the ruins of Reins kloster (convent) in Rissa, Austrått castle in Ørland and the ruins of a convent in Tautra (Frosta). <BR>Kaja

jmm

Stained glass - Ste. Chapelle - like walking through liquid light <BR>Uniqueness - Ely - gothic lantern dome is SO beautiful and unusual. Probably the cathedral that move me the most. <BR>Massiveness - Durham - those HUGE pillars are amazing <BR>Cosy, friendly and touching - Wells <BR>Best in London - St Paul's

steve

St. Peter's in the Vatican is the most impressive. <BR> <BR>I saw Wells Cathedral recently and really enjoyed its unique features. <BR> <BR>Chartres is simily amazing, especially if you take the Malcolm Miller tour. <BR> <BR>Not a chathedral but really interesting is the Wies Church near Fussen in Germanly. <BR> <BR>For an interesting perspective on cathedrals, read Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet

Doug

Although it probably isn't technically a "cathedral", the church in Mondsee, Austria is one of my favorites. If you've seen "The Sound of Music", it's the church the Von Trapps get married in. What is really interesting is the little room off to the side in the back of the church. In it there's an old, old bulletin board with pictures of the local "boys" killed in WWII. It's kind of morbidly fascinating to see that even the bad guys could look young and innocent. The outside front of the church also has the names of the dead veterans inscribed on the walls with memorial wreaths placed nearby. It may not be the most beautiful church in Europe but it's very inspiring and rather ornate for so small a community.

off

I know this is for European Cathedrals but I must second previous suggestion not to miss some beautiful churches here in the States. <BR> <BR>I'll second the New Cathedral in St. Louis. It's massive and the mosaics are gorgeous. Also, the Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky (across the river from Cincinnati) is incredible.

cd

What a wonderful topic! My vote goes to St. Chapelle, Siena, St. Paul's in London, and the Duomo in Milan. If you go to the Duomo in Milan, be sure to take the roof tour. The roof is the most beautiful and ornate part of the building. <BR> <BR>Thanks to all for the advice on cathedrals in Spain, as I plan to go there in September.

Beth Y.

Kings College in Cambridge, Eng. That ceiling and a huge Reubens as a bonus. I still think about it often.