THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION.
When working as a tour director in Europe, I would hear the same comment at least once a week.
“I don’t want to see another church.”
During a week in Europe on organized tours, it would be impossible not to see a church.
In defense of most towns in Europe, they have some incredible churches.
In defence of the husband following his wife into the fifth church in four days, they start looking the same.
One time there was a tour I was offering with four interior visits to churches. I had the operator narrow down to the two best.
Let’s look at European churches in general.
Early Christianity.
The Greeks built incredible temples to their gods and goddesses between 690 B.C. to 200 A.D. From there, the Romans took over.
Christianity spread from Israel. The Seven Churches are in present day Turkey.
The Apostle Paul and Silas arrive in Philippi Greece around 49 A.D. and start the first Christian church in Europe. However, as Christianity is not yet legal, they skip the steeple and stained-glass.
The Roman Empire officially adopts Christianity as its religion in 380 A.D. Many of the first churches begin in the existing temples. Many temples are still standing today becasue they were Christian churches. The Christians tear down all the pagan sites.
In Rome’s Forum the Senate building (49 B.C.), the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina (141 A.D.), are examples.
In Greece, near the Acropolis, the Temple of Asclepios and the Agora’s Temple of Hephaestus will act as churches.
On the Acropolis, they establish the Church of the Parthenos Maria (Virgin Mary.) It is the fourth most important Christian pilgrimage site in the Eastern Roman Empire. You may know it better as the Parthenon.
The other top three being Thessaloniki (Greece) and Ephesus and Constantinople (Istanbul) in Turkey.
Purpose Built Churches.
In 301 A.D. Armenia is the first state (country) in the world to adopt Christianity as its religion. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Vagharshapat, dating from 303 A.D., is the oldest cathedral in Europe.
Excavations uncover a few foundations and pillar bases from the original 303 A.D. church. They rebuild much of the church circa 370 A.D. Over the next 1600 years, they build and renovate so its hard to say how old the current building is.
Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran.
A 10 minute drive east of the Colosseum, this is not the largest or most opulant church in Rome. With an official dedication in 324 A.D., it is Rome’s oldest public church and the Western World’s oldest basilica. It houses the throne (cathedra) of Rome’s bishop.
Hagia Sophia, Constantinople (Istanbul.)
Constantius II, the Roman emperor built the first Hagia Sophia circa 360 A.D. The one you see today was the creation of Byzantine emperor Justinian the Great circa 537 A.D.
It will be the largest cathedral in the world until the completion of Seville Spain’s Cathedral in 1507 A.D. Later, it will become a mosque, a museum, and in 2020 a mosque again. It is still open to visitors.
Church of St George, Sophia Bulgaria.
Dating from circa 310 A.D. it is the only functioning church from the Roman era. At the time, Sophia is the residence of emperor Galerius and then Constantine the Great.
Cathedral of Trier, Trier Germany
This UNESCO World Heritage site dates from 1270, making it the oldest cathedral in Germany. It is still in use today. It has undergone numerous restorations and add-ons but some of the 4th-century elements remain.
These are just some of the oldest churches in Europe. Regardless of your beliefs or denomination, historians might find these very intertesting.
Are these the only old churches in Europe? Hardly. There are thousands more, some now museums, and others in various levels of ruin. This list will get the historian going.
Largest Churches in Europe.
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.
In Rome, but not in Italy, is the most recent St Peter’s church, dating from 1506. It will take 120 years to complete. With a capacity of 60,000 people it is the largest cathedral in the world. The church building itself is worth studying, but there are also treasures inside. These include the Pieta by a 24-year old Michelangelo and Bernini’s tomb for Pope Alexander VII, and Longinus statue.
The Cathedral Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady Aparecida in Brazil is the largest in volume. However, it holds 15,000 fewer than St Peters.
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, Seville Spain
It is the second or third largest church in Europe. It is the largest Gothic church in the world.
Dating from 1528, highlights include the Giralda bell tower, the tomb of Christopher Columbus, and the main chapels gold altarpiece. It is adjoining the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Alcázar palace complex and the General Archive of the Indies.
Duomo di Milano, Milan Italy
Taking almost six centuries to complete, the cathedral in Milan is the largest in Italy. St Peter’s is not officially in Italy. Beginning construction in 1386, it is the third (or second) largest in Europe, and the fourth largest in the world. There are 3,400 statues, 700 figures, and135 gargoyles in its decoration. Check out its sundial and discover where the nail from Jesus’ cross is hiding.
Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń, Lichen Poland.
Do not expect to find Gothic or Renaissance architecture as this postmodern chuch only dates from 2004. But it makes up for its short history with its size. The dome is over 320 feet high and the bell tower reaches over 460 feet. The interior contains more than 108000 square feet of space.
These are the four (current) largest churches in Europe but not the only large ones. They should certainly be on a should-see list for those into architecture.
Unique Churches.
There are some churches you want to visit, just because they are not like all the rest.
Borgund Stave Church, Borgund Norway
It has not been in use as a church for over 150 years, but is worth seeing. Dating from circa 1250 A.D., it includes lavishly carved portals and dragon heads on the roofs.
The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed (St Basil’s), Moscow Russia.
Dating from 1561, this Orthadox church is in the tented-roof style. Sitting in Red Square, many confuse it as part of the Kremlin which is adjacent. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kremlin and Red Square. Today, it is a museum.
Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik, Iceland
This lutheran church is one of the youngest on the list, with construction beginning in 1945 and ending in 1986. The tower soars more than 240 feet in the sky and is visible from all over town. The church is free to enter. The tower, which has an admission fee, is a great lookout over the city. Being a newer church, it has an elevator.
The Churches of Meteora, Kalabaka Greece.
The monasteries in the clouds all have their own chapel. Although the chapels themselves are not unique, their location is. Fortunately, you do not have to ride in a basket to reach them these days. Still, some require some serious step climbing.
Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona Spain.
The church beginning construction in 1882, is the masterpiece of architect Antoni Gaudi. Although construction has yet to finish, they consecrate the church in 2010. Currently, they plan to finish construction circa 2026. A visit inside is worth the long line.
Once again, this is not a complete list, just a few unique churches to pique the interest of the curious.
Famous Churches.
There are some churches you want to visit because you have heard about them. What do you really know about Winchester Cathedral besides its bringing me down?
St Paul’s Cathedral, London England.
There has been a church on this site since circa 604 A.D. Construction on the exhisting church begins in 1675 with a design by Sir Christopher Wren. You can attend mass for free. Sitting on the steps outside singing “Feed the Birds” is also free. Touring other sections of the church requires admission. To reach the Whispering Gallery requires over 250 steps. The Stone Gallery an additional 120 and the Golden Gallery (top of the dome) another 150 steps. In the crypt you can see the tombs of Sir Wren, Admiral Nelson, and the first Duke of Wellington.
Westminster Abbey, London England
Since 1066, every English Monarchs coronation has been at Westminster Abbey. The building you see today dates from the time of Henry III circa 1245. Currently, it is the final resting place of 17 English monarchs.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, Paris France.
Construction of the French Gothic church lasts from 1163 until 1345. Any story or movie set in Paris seems to offer a mention or glance of the church. There is a reference to one of the church workmen circa 1830, having a hunch in their back. This is at the time Victor Hugo is writing his tale of a bell ringer.
A 2019 fire destroys the roof and one tower of the church. It takes until the end of 2020 to stabalize the church for reconstruction. Reconstruction begins in 2021 and they hope will only take three years.
St Mark’s Basillica, Venice Italy.
This Italo-Byzantine church dates from 1117 A.D. and began as the chapel of the city’s Doge. It goes by the nickname Chiesa d’Oro due to the numerous gold mosaics on the ceiling. Many of the art pieces are from Agia Sophia in Istanbul. They “borrow” them while sacking that church in 1204.
And the list goes on and on. These few may get those who like to visit famous places starting to plan.
Just Downright Pretty Churches.
And there are some churches you may want to visit just because they make you smile or dream.
Mont St Michel, Normandy, France
The Mont is actually a commune covering a 17 acre outcropping. Due to a 46 foot tidal change, it is an island for part of the day. The legend says the archangel Michael tells a local bishop (circa 708) to build a church upon the rock. Circa 1000 A.D., construction begins on the current Romanesque church of the abbey. After a 1204 fire destroys much of the abbey, they rebuild it in the Gothic architectural style. Many of the walls, towers, and courtyards, date from circa 1390. Claude Debussy found the island to be a source of inspiration. His “La Cathédrale Engloutie” may refer to the Mont. The Lord of the Rings fans may recognize it as the inspiration for Gondor’s capital city, Minas Tirith. Disney fans may recognize it as the kingdom in “Tangled.”
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence Italy.
With construction beginning circa 1296 in the Gothic style, the Filippo Brunelleschi dome will not be in place until 1436. The bell tower and adjacent Battistero di San Giovanni are all marble masterpieces.
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Cordoba Spain.
Dating from 785 A.D. the structure begins as a mosque during the Muslim occupation of Cordoba and most of Spain. With the 1236 defeat of the Moors by the Catholic Monarchs, it becomes a cathedral. A major renovation in the 1600s is what you see today.
Cathédrale Saint-Michel de Carcassonne, Carcassonne France.
I cannot tell you exactly why, but I love visiting this Gothic cathedral from the 13th century. Maybe, because I get away from the craziness going on outside as billions of tourists sack the medieval village. I know part of it is the light from the soaring stained-glass windows. It is a happy place for me.
Church Summary.
Stop looking at your watch, church blog is almost over.
I hope you can see there are numerous reasons to include churches on your explorations. Some are historic, some unusual, or just pleasing to the eye. Most churches will probably fall under several catagoires such as historical and pretty.
You do not have to be religious to have an experience in a church. Let go and just experience it.
And please be respectful. You do not have to put on your “going to church” outfit, but cover your shoulders and knees.
It shows you are a traveler not a tourist.
Now go in peace.
Please scroll down to the “Enter your comment here” section at the bottom. Please comment or tell me your thoughts on:
“Do you have a favorite church, or one you would like to visit in Europe?
Please help me spread the news by rating, commenting, and sharing this blog below. – THANKS!
“See the World” Continued on Page T3. “Taste the World” Continued on T11.