Paulo

As listed in this thread, there are dozens of wonderfull cathedrals in Europe. Some because their shear size, others because of their architectural elements, others yet because of their interior light and decoration and others still for their "holy atmosphere". <BR> <BR>If one seriously take into consideration the time when was build (materials and techniques available then), one must agree that the greatest of them all must be the Aya Sofya ... with its main body measuring 70x75 meters, its dome with 31x32 meters across and 55 meters in height, the present structure is essentially the same as it was in 537, when it was consacrated, except for the present dome (completed in 563) after the original one had collapsed in 558/559 after a series of earthquakes ... Truely AMAZING! <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Tina

1- Duomo in Florence....I just love the sense of space, not busy like the other cathedrals. Definitely a favourite. Also, the dome is fascinating, though when we were there, we weren't able to climb up cos it was a Sunday. <BR> <BR>2- Notre Dame de Paris...ugly? Ah! Heresy!! hehe. This is my other favourite. The tower was the best bit, because it just brought Hugo's 'Notre Dame' alive for me. And the chimerae (chimeras?) and gargoyles and of course, the VIEW! The stained glass windows were also..wow. <BR> <BR>3- Westminster Abbey...does this count as a cathedral? Ah well. It was very busy when I was tehre, but my favourite bit was this deserted (locked) courtyard, that I stumbled upon accidentally, like a sweet lil oasis.

david west

no votes for my hometown, winchester? <BR> <BR>the longest nave in europe, many historic figures buried there (jane austen , the saxon kings etc). I went to school there and as such used to find going in to the cathedral a chore (compulsory). It was only after I left and returned a few years later that I realised how lovely it was. It also has (arguebly) the best choir in England. If you get the chance to go to evensong, GO! You won't regret it.

lola

Nobody has mentioned the cathedral in Amalfi--the Cloisters of Paradise there and the old attached chapel with its faded frescos are outstanding. What makes it really special is the setting on the Amalfi coast.

Judy

Hi all, great topic! My first thought was Salisbury Cathedral(Magna Charta,great historic atomosphere).2nd, Notre Dame, it made me cry! and then of course, Westminster Abbey, probably not a true "cathedral" but Elizabeth I and Poets Corner and all. I cried there also....so much history and beauty! Can't wait to see them again!

frank

Don't visit Bacelona without seeing Gaudi's unfinished cathedral (still being built - the Sagrada Familia.Go early before the tour buses, totally staggering.

Diane

I love "collecting" cathedrals when I travel, and especially treasure those in England, where I lived for a bit. My all-time favorites: <BR> <BR>1. Ely Cathedral in Ely, East Anglia. Wonderfully asymmetric. Lovely small-town setting. Intriguing wooden "lantern" over the crossing. How the heck did they ever get those logs *up* there? <BR> <BR>2. St. Peter's, Rome. The colors, the colors -- orange, maroon, gold marble. Finally, I just had to stroke the wall. Another woman looked over and said, "I know, I have to do that, too." And despite what I had thought from my long-ago college art history classes, the bronze altarpiece is not over-the-top gaudy, but stunning. <BR> <BR>3. Chartres. Because I sang mass there with my choir in 1985, and won't forget it.

erica

Mr. West from Winchester: <BR> <BR>I am visiting England for the first time this autumn and Winchester is our first stop. Any suggestions for must-sees, restaurants, pubs? <BR> <BR>We are taking a guided tour of the Cathedral, then staying for Evensong. Unfortunately, it will be a visiting choir. I can't wait to see your hometown! <BR> <BR>Kind Regards! <BR>Erica

julie

Westminster, Chartres, or Ely. The first two are wonderful to see, and are important on their own merits, but I went to Ely, England once, and was the only person in the cathredral...lay down on my back and stared upward for a long while and marveled and marveled...it was a total experience. Ely, was, in the early middle ages, a very important place, and a church seat, if I remember my history. It's importance diminished over the centuries, (can't remember why) and thus, not too many tourists go there. But it has the most spectacular glass, and few tourists. I also remember Chartres, as it apprears on the horizon when you drive toward it, a great ship with sails in full wind. It, too, is amazing. There are some very old stave churches in Norway that could also be considered one of the wonders of the world.

Anne Wein

Kate, <BR> <BR>I could devote an entire european visit to cathedrals, chapels, abbeys and monasteries. The most breathtaking for me was the Siena Cathedral. People walk quietly in awe or sit transfixed in a special niche. The Piccolomini Library is a room off the cathedral and for 2,000 lire you can visit the most vivid and spectacular Renaisaance fresco in all of Europe, along with illuminated choir manuscripts.

russ

For mosaics, I love the one in Monreale, Sicily, just outside of Palermo. Another beatiful and and interesting one is in Kutna Hora, about an hour outside of Prague. From a distance the roof line looks like circus tents. Very unique.

Sandi

I love architecture, and cathedrals/churches are the best of all! My European experiences are limited, have been to London for about five days, and most recently to France for a two-week tour. My favorite of London was St. Paul's, even though before going I was so excited to get the chance to go to Westminster Abbey. Both were great, but St. Paul's won out for me. <BR> <BR>In France, Notre Dame and Sacre Cour were the only two I got to visit in Paris. Really wanted to get to St. Chapelle, but didn't make it. Notre Dame's best view, and I have a great picture, is the back with the flying buttresses. The day I went to Sacre Cour, it was very rainy/cloudy so this put a damper on the view of the city which I had looked forward to. But after going inside, my favorite thing about it was the beautiful mosaic inside the dome. <BR> <BR>Other towns I visited with great cathedrals were Rouen and Bayeaux. In Lyon I wanted to visit the cathedral on top of the hill. It was so pretty, especially illuminated at night. To make a long story short, I got a late start and couldn't find the tram to ride to the top of the hill. So I decided to just walk it, but as I got so close to the top, I started feeling very uncomfortable/unsafe with my surroundings. It was a very isolated street, and it was dark by now. Lots of narrow alleys. So I hurried back down to the main street level. Had to admire this one from afar. <BR> <BR>The last stop on my tour was the town of Rheims. I wasn't expecting much out of this town, except for the visit to the champagne distillery. But then I saw the cathedral, and it took my breath away, both the outside and inside. Usually I am mostly impressed with the architecture of the outside of the churches. But this one was equally impressive for me on the inside. Beautiful stained glass, lots of blues. I loved the smiling angel statue outside next to the main door. <BR> <BR>Anyway, the cathedral in Rheims, France takes my vote for the best cathedral (that I have had the pleasure to see) in Europe. I can't wait to see some of the others listed here, though, especially in Italy and Spain. <BR> <BR>Sandi

MaureenGP

Cathedrals were a focal point of our recent trip to Spain, and we were fortunate to visit them in Madrid (a new one, not very memorable), Avila (rather austere), Toledo (the favorite of my husband and daughter with its famous Transparente), Cordoba (the famous Mezquita mosque with a cathedral plunked down in the middle!); Granada (most of the chapels were hidden for renovations in the cathedral, but we really enjoyed the Royal Chapel with its tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella), Barcelona (we loved the cloiser in its Cathedral, and we were awed by the Sagrada Familia. I marveled that it was probably the only time I will actually view a cathedral under construction), Zaragoza (there are two, near to each other, but we only saw the one devoted to the Virgin of Pilar), Burgos (just lovely, and in the process of a cleaning that makes the outside look like new), and the small cathedral in Logrono. We were fortunate to attend Sunday masses in Toledo and Burgos, which was very moving. From the smallest to the grandest, these amazing buildings have something to offer the visitor.

Grandma

Such memories this thread brings back:<BR>Wells, Monreale, San Marco (I was "trapped" inside once during a mass..seeing the mosaics in fulll light was overwhelming)<BR>Orvieto, Siena.. think it's "only" a church: The Frari in Venice. We're hoping to visit Santiago de Compestelo<BR> soon.<BR>PS Agree that St. Thomas Church in NYC and St. John are impressive.

Gar

wow, didnt know so many people are interested in the same thing as me. well, most of the best ones I know have been named. I would add Bourges to that list for its beautiful (and most biggest) stone rose. Also Albi the most different looking between a tower and a palace. Speyer for its guiding architecture and the nice town. Dresden, when build up again. And, for Italy, the very importand in Modena with an oblique tower, the fist figurine art in churches and the white marble fronts.<BR>BTW: Have You ever heard about the UNESCO heritage of mankind? Take a look at www.unesco.org, there You will find the most beautiful and most importand churches in the world.<BR>have fun<BR>Gar

the_topper

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jed

Chartes <BR>Notre Dame in Strasbourg, France<BR>Westminster, London<BR>

pat

My family loved Roskilde cathedral in Denmark. The 12th century cathedral housed the tombs of about 40 Danish kings and queens. The marble and artwork were beautiful. The kids enjoyed the glockenspiel. If you are near Copenhagen, Roskilde was definitely worth a day trip with the viking and roskilde musuem nearby.

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qiu

You haven't seen anything if you haven't seen Le Corbusier's Notre Dame du Haut at Ronchamp, France. Or more famously known as "Chapelle Ronchamp". It is not a cathedral on the strictest sense of the word but the most beautiful place of worship. <BR><BR>Check it out at:<BR>"www.demel.net/fs-ronchamp.html"