Pedro

I would remark some of them:<BR><BR>In Spain:<BR>Leon ( in my opinion de most beautiful gothic cathedral in Spain, simple, elegant. )<BR><BR>Palma de Mallorca ( by its situation facing the sea, its high vaults )<BR><BR>Sevilla ( huge, relevant historiy, the Altarpiece and Giralda are a must-see 9<BR><BR>Cordoba ( surprising inserction within the Mosque, wonderful choir )<BR><BR>Santiago ( Remarkable main entrance, ambient )<BR><BR>In France:<BR>Albi ( Imposing, like a fortress outside but delicate inside )<BR><BR>Chartres ( Really beautiful gothic architecture ).<BR><BR>Strasbourg ( its size overlooking the city and the red stone used give it a different touch )<BR><BR>Italy:<BR>Milan ( forest of pinnacles )<BR><BR>Siena ( a festival of marbles )<BR><BR>Venice ( dark and strange but at the same time awe-inspiring )<BR><BR>St Peter <BR><BR>Some others I found interesting were:<BR>Berlin and Koln (Germany), Salzburg (Austria), Roskilde (Denmark), Valletta and Victoria (Malta), St. Vitus (Czech Rep. ), Hagia Sophia (Turkey) and finally York and Wells (UK)

jw

This is such an interesting thread. I'm glad that someone brought it back to the top (Can you believe it was started in '98?) Anyway, when I have time I'm going to go through it all to make a list. Has anyone visited St. Vitale in Ravenna? I've never been, but it is home to those famous mosaics, and I'd like to read someone's impressions. Also, Amita mentioned a small church in Carona above Lago Lugano . . . can anyone elaborate? Since I'm not contributing much here, I'll simply add my votes for Sainte Chapelle in Paris and Chartres Cathedral, and Wells in the UK, and I remember two pretty churches in St. Gallen, Switzerland, and a memorable mass with Gregorian chant in the abbey at Mont St. Michel, and a beautiful little church with two main altars in Halstatt. J.

Donna

St. Peter's in Rome! Simply awesome!

x

St. Vitus in Prague, St. Barbara's in Kutna Hora, and the Spanish Synagogue in Prague -- it has the feel of a mosque.

topper

to the top for Krishnan. One of the best threads in Fodors

Vincent

One of Europe's most beautiful cities, Antwerp, offers, as far as I know, one of the few European cathedrals that can be seen in its original medieval setting, ie not free standing the way cathedrals are "put on stage" nowadays, but with tiny houses huddled around the cathedral. Go see it, it totally changes the physical perspective and gives you a striking insight into urban life in the middle ages.

krishnan

Thanks, my friend.

cindy

I haven't gotten through all these posts yet, but if it hasn't been mentioned yet, one of my favorites is the Gesu Church in Rome (I guess its not a cathedral). The ceiling is absolutely magnificent! Whole church is very ornate but breathtaking.

sj

Great thread.

fantaman

Rouen catherdral is hauntingly striking from outside and in and the new cathedral commenerating the spot where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake is a beautiful contrast of old and new.<BR><BR>But a surprising favorite (I have seen the top ten) is the Basilica in Lisieux completed by 1944. built in Northern France as devotion to Therese - the ceilings, walls and dome are breathtaking in their modern design and beauty and the thought that it was built with 20th century labor over 10+ years is quite amazing. This Basilica is worth a pilgrimage whether or not you are Catholic....<BR><BR>Fantaman

Isabel

SANTIAGO APOSTOL (COMPOSTELA)<BR>CHARTRES<BR>SEVILLA CATEDRAL<BR>BURGOS<BR>SN PIETRO (ROMA)<BR>

iluvparis

i have to say that Sacre Coeur was my fav. i'm not sure if you would classify that as achapel. Notre Dame is also very nice.

xxx

Cologne Cathedral is where, as a high school student, I fell in love with European Cathedrals. My other favorites are the Duomos in Florence,and Milan.

Carla

Chartres.

Carol

To iluvparis: Technically Sacre Coeur in Paris is a basilica. No longer remember what differentiates a basilica from a regular parish church other than that it has special church privileges. The view of Paris from Sacre Coeur is very nice too.<BR><BR>My favorite remains, like many other fodorites, Chartres. <BR><BR>I can't remember seeing anyone having mentioned Vezelay(Fr.) or Poitiers. They are marvelous too.

church goer

Like Carol, I would like to know differences. What makes a cathedral or basilica or monestary. I'm not religeous but love them. But I am confused about the differences.

topper

ttt

ron

Just in case church goer is still around wondering, a cathedral is the seat of a bishop, a basilica is an honorary designation to a church given by the pope, a monastery is where monks live and work. A monastery church is generally known as an abbey. A cathedral can also be a basilica, Mary Queen of the World in Montreal, for example. But Notre Dame church in Montreal has also been designated as a basilica, presumably because of its size, grandeur and importance to the community.

jsmith

Did anyone put in a word for Canterbury, the setting for Becket's murder? It's also the seat of the Anglican Church.<BR><BR>How about Rouen? Monet was certainly impressed.<BR><BR>I'll also put in a pitch for Coventry. The old cathedral was destroyed in World War II and the new cathedral designed by Basil Spence, tapestry by Graham Sutherland and sculpture by Jacob Epstein is built adjacent to the blackened ruins of the old. Very moving.

Iregeo

What an amazing thread! If I may -- my favorites (cathedrals, churches and synagogues) include the Basilican Church of the Holy Blood in Brugge, Belgium. Built in large part in the 12th century, it houses one of the only, if not the only, Michelangelo sculpture outside of Italy. Both the Mezquita and ancient synagogue in Cordoba, Spain, provide &quot;a religious experience&quot;, although each is different in every respect. The cathedral in Strausburg, France is sheer beauty, as is the tiny St Mary's Church in Fairford, England, which displays 28 breathtaking stained glass windows from medieval times. Thanks for sharing!