This 17th century Baroque cathedral honors Nice’s patron saint, Saint Réparate, whose relics have been enshrined here since 1690. The current structure was built on the site of the original 13th centuy church, which was razed when it was deemed too small for Nice’s growing importance. The new cathedral was based on the model of […]
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Cathédrale de Monaco
The Romanesque-Byzantine Cathédrale de Monaco was built in 1875 with white stones from La Turbie. Previously, a 13th century church dedicated to Saint Nicolas stood on the site. The 16th century altar was designed by Niçois painter Louis Bréa. Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly were married here. Their tombs, along with other former Monaco […]
Notre Dame de Paris
I can never resist photographing beautiful Notre Dame de Paris. This Roman Cathoilic cathedral is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in Europe and was one of the first buildings in the world to use flying buttresses. Construction began in the 12th century, after the existing 4th century Saint-Étienne (which was sited […]
St. Georg
St. Georg’s original 18th century Baroque building was destroyed by bombs during WWII. This one was rebuilt in 1957. I liked the simple, nautical interior and the art exhibit right outside. St. Georg, church, Hamburg, Germany
St. Michaelis, or St. Michel
This is another one of Hamburg’s five Hauptkirchen (main church) and the most recognizable church in the city, thanks to its Baroque copper spire. It is dedicated to the archangel Michael, who is shown in action, defeating the devil, in a large bronze statue above the portal. The first church on this site dates back […]
St. Petri
St. Petri is Hamburg’s oldest parish church. The original was built in the 11th century, and the bigger and better Gothic version was constructed in the 13th century. Although St. Petri has one tower today, it enjoyed a second tower from the 16th through 19th centuries that was torn down due to damage from Napoleonic […]
St. Nikolai
It’s easy to believe that this pile of ruins was once one of the most impressive neo-Gothic churches in Germany. You can get a sense of its scope and grandeur while standing in the ruined structure’s footprint and looking up, up, up at the amazingly high spire. The current St. Nikolai only stood for about […]
St-Pauluskerk
This church is only open from either April–October or May-November (live in Europe and you’ll get used to these sorts of uncertain schedules) but supposedly has a baroque interior and over 200 sculptures and 50 paintings, including works by Jordaens, Rubens, Teniers and Van Dyck. I say supposedly since our March visit did not enable […]
Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal, Antwerp
This is the largest Gothic church in the Low Countries. If you’re not impressed by this superlative, just know there are a lot of churches in the region. The 123-meter spire dominates Antwerp’s skyline. It feels roomy inside, too, as the wide central nave is flanked by three aisles on each side. Antwerp’s centerpiece originated […]
Église St-Michel
This church started off in 889 as a small wooden chapel before the abbot of St. Stephen insisted on upgrading it in the 1000’s. By the 15th century, the church could barely contain its parishioners, so the choir was expanded. The Renaissance façade depicts biblical and mythological themes. The two 17th century towers are topped […]
