The Wanderlist: Europe's Most Beautiful Cathedrals

It’s one of the biggest tourist attractions in Budapest for good reason. Construction on the cathedral, which first began in 1851, stretched over half a decade and suffered a collapse and deaths of multiple architects before it was completed in 1905. Named after the first King of Hungary (his mummified hand is actually stored in the cathedral’s chapel), the basilica is lauded for its neoclassical architecture and excellent acoustics. On Thursdays, they host organ concerts here, giving you an opportunity to experience the auditory excellence in person.

Constructed as part of the sprawling Prague Castle complex, most visitors to the Eastern European capital think of St. Vitus Cathedral as the actual castle. One glimpse of its striking Gothic design and you’ll understand why. The structure was actually constructed over a painstaking six centuries. Of its many side chapels, that of St. Wenceslas is the one not to miss, with gilded semi precious stone slabs surrounding Gothic paintings. 

Venice’s most famous church is an ornate masterpiece that blends elements of Byzantine, Islamic and Western European architectural styles. Founded in the 9th century, the present incarnation was completed in 1094 but was continually enhanced over subsequent centuries. Shimmering gilded mosaics cover the walls and ceilings of the church’s magnificent interior, which houses the Pala d’Oro, a gold altarpiece inlaid with precious stones. Don’t miss the outdoor Loggia dei Cavalli area, which offers panoramic views over the piazza below and out to the lagoon.

Also known as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Stephansdom is one of Vienna’s most recognizable symbols. Each day, thousands of visitors climb its 343 steps to see the breathtaking view of the city. Housing 18 altars and 23 bells, this architectural masterpiece took 65 years to build. This cathedral is also known for being the place where Ludwig van Beethoven first discovered the extent of his deafness. The famous composer is said to have witnessed birds flying out of its bell tower, but realized he could not hear the sound of their wings. 

The Hagia Sophia Cathedral is one of Turkey’s greatest surviving architectural pieces from the Byzantine era. Constructed beginning in the 6th century, Emperor Justinian ordered all of the provinces under his command to send their best pieces to add to its design. It is because of this that the cathedral houses columns and marble from ancient Estonian and Syrian cities. The cathedral has had many purposes over the years: first an Orthodox patriarchal basilica, then a mosque and now a museum and well-known symbol of Istanbul. The grand cathedral was also once the place where Turkish rulers were crowned. 

Kölner Dom can be seen dominating the skyline of the Rhine Valley, in Cologne, Germany. To this day it’s still one of the largest Christian churches in the world. The cathedral took nearly 600 years to build and is one of the most significant gothic-style cathedrals in Germany. The notable landmark was a target during World War II and suffered 14 aerial bomb hits but remained standing. 

St. Basil’s Cathedral, which sits on the edge of Moscow’s Red Square, was commissioned in the 16th century, by Ivan the Terrible, after a series of successful conquests in Asia. St Basil’s is admired for its multicoloured rooftops, which were created to bear resemblance to the flames of a bonfire. This style of architecture has no parallels to any other building in Russia. The cathedral, now primarily serving as a museum, still holds one service a year on the Day of Intercession in October.

Westminster Abbey, located in London, is the burial place of kings, poets, scientists, warriors and musicians. This beautiful piece of gothic architecture is still a place of regular worship. Formally known as the Collegiate Church of St. Peter at Westminster, the cathedral has been the site of 16 royal weddings and every British coronation since 1066. Visitors to Westminster Abbey can see the Coronation Chair, made for King Edward I, which was brought to the abbey from Scotland in 1296. 

Not to be confused with the similarly-named cathedral in Paris, the UNESCO-listed Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres is considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful examples of French Gothic architecture. Built over just 30 years in the late 12th century, the cathedral’s relatively short construction period resulted in an impressively unified architectural style. Among the building’s stand-out features is its medieval stained-glass windows, which are admired for their rich colours.