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 […]
Tag Archives | cathedral
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 […]
Cologne Dom
This massive Gothic cathedral can be seen from all points in Cologne. The first time I saw it was out a plane’s window, from which it looks truly unbelievable. For about five minutes, the 157-meter spires made this the tallest structure in the world. Then, the Eiffel Tower surpassed it. The Dom has an interesting […]
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece has adorned the British skyline sine 1710. It was constructed after the previous building was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. But this isn’t #2; over 1400 years, a total of five places of worship have stood on this site. The first service was held in this building in 1697. […]
Dom St. Peter, or the Trier Cathedral
How fitting for the oldest town in Germany that its cathedral, Dom St. Peter, is the oldest church in Germany. To this day, it remains a working Catholic cathedral. Trier is the oldest seat of a Christian Bishop north of the Alps. In the Middle Ages, the Archbishop of Trier was an important prince of […]
St. Philomena Cathedral, Mysore
I didn’t notice the dearth of cathedrals in India until I saw this. Oddly, seeing this colorful church was like encountering an old friend. I’m not religious at all, but cathedrals are ubiquitous in Europe and often serve as the showy centerpiece of towns. St. Philomena was constructed between 1933-41 in a neo-Gothic style. This […]
Reims, France
Charming city Reims anchors the northern end of France’s Champagne region. Reims was established in 80 B.C. as Durocorteron (“round fortress”) for the Remi tribe. Throughout history, French kings were crowned in its cathedral, Notre-Dame de Reims.
