Beautiful temples churches. The most famous and beautiful temples in the world
Russian churches are a unique architectural phenomenon in world culture.
Nearly unique, to be exact. This architectural tradition came from Byzantium, but the Russians created their own as a result. own style. It is mainly expressed in onions - the domes of churches and the wealth of solutions inside in a generally strict and clear concept.
Thanks to this, it is in Russia that you can find most of the most impressive and amazing churches and temples.
1. BASIL'S CATHEDRAL, MOSCOW
St. Basil's Cathedral, located in the heart of the capital - on Red Square, is recognized not only as the most beautiful temple in Russia, but also one of the most impressive religious monuments in the world, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built in the middle of the 16th century on the orders of Ivan the Terrible, this cathedral with eleven colored domes has become the most recognizable symbol of Moscow. As we all know from the school curriculum, the unknown master who erected it was blinded by order of the king, so that he would never again be able to create such a miracle.
2. SMOLNY CATHEDRAL OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, SAINT PETERSBURG
One of the most exquisite architectural masterpieces of St. Petersburg, the Smolny Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ began to be built at the behest of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. In the monastery at the temple, she planned to meet old age, but the construction of the cathedral, the initial project of which belonged to Rastrelli, stretched for almost a hundred years. During this time, the exterior absorbed the features of not only recognizable Elizabethan baroque, but also classicism, and thus turned into a unique and unlike creation of Russian architecture.
3. ASSUMPTION CATHEDRAL, SMOLENSK
In the center of Smolensk, on a hill above the city, rises the majestic Assumption Cathedral in the Baroque style, erected in honor of the victory over the Commonwealth. Its dimensions are truly impressive: height - 70 meters, length - 56.2 meters and width - 40.5 meters. The temple was built on the site of another, destroyed during the defense of the city of the cathedral. Its construction lasted more than a hundred years, and in the course of work, the project was repeatedly changed and improved - the result exceeded all expectations!
4. ASSUMPTION CATHEDRAL, OMSK
One of the main attractions of Omsk appeared relatively recently - in late XIX century: then the Assumption Cathedral was built at the expense of the townspeople. In the 30s of the XX century, by order of the Soviet authorities, the temple was dismantled. It was possible to restore it only 70 years later. And again, the money for the construction was collected by the whole world - in two years, the inhabitants of Omsk donated a total of several tens of millions of rubles for the restoration of the Orthodox shrine.
5. KAZAN CATHEDRAL, SAINT PETERSBURG
The Kazan Cathedral in the northern capital was built by analogy with St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome - the northern facade of the building in the Empire style is complemented by an impressive semicircular colonnade of 96 columns 13 meters high. The temple became not only a religious shrine revered by believers, but also a monument of Russian military glory. In addition, the square in front of the cathedral was often chosen as a venue for political and public demonstrations.
6. CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST (FOROS TEMPLE), CRIMEA
The amazing church on the Red Rock at an altitude of 412 meters above sea level is dedicated to salvation royal family- in 1888, Alexander II with his wife and children miraculously survived a train crash. Having learned about this, the local merchant Alexander Kuznetsov asked permission to build a church in honor of this event. The temple, clearly visible from the sea, throughout all the years of its existence serves as a beacon for sailors, showing the way during storms or fogs.
7. CHURCH OF THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE LORD, KIZHI
The small island of Kizhi in Lake Onega is known throughout the world thanks to the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Looking at this structure, it is impossible to believe that it is completely made of wood without a single nail. According to legend, the temple was built at the beginning of the 18th century by the local carpenter Nestor, using a single ax, which he threw into the lake after completing the work so that no one could repeat his success.
8. NIKOLSKY MARINE CATHEDRAL, SAINT PETERSBURG
Another masterpiece of the Elizabethan Baroque style is St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral in St. Petersburg. It was built in the second half of the 17th century at the request of Prince Mikhail Galitsin. Funds for its construction were provided by the maritime department, because the temple was intended to personify the glorious deeds of the Russian fleet. Not far from the cathedral is a four-tiered bell tower, which forms a single architectural ensemble with it.
9. HOLY TRINITY SERGIEV LAVRA, SERGIEV POSAD
The Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra is a unique architectural complex consisting of more than fifty buildings, the construction of which was carried out in the period from the 14th to the 19th century. This is the largest monastery Russia, whose first hegumen was Sergius of Radonezh. The Lavra survived the Tatar-Mongol invasion, withstood the siege of the Polish-Lithuanian invaders, in Soviet times it was transformed into a historical and architectural museum, but after the collapse of the USSR, it returned to its former status.
10. CHURCH OF CHRIST THE SAVIOR, MOSCOW
The Cathedral of Christ the Savior on Volkhonka was built in the 1990s, but is an exact copy of the cathedral that stood on this site in the 19th century and was destroyed during Soviet power. By the way, initially the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was supposed to be located on Sparrow Hills, but due to inept management, its construction stopped for several years. Emperor Nicholas I gave him a second life, who personally chose the place of construction and the architectural style (Byzantine) of the new temple.
, .Since the creation of the world, temples on Earth have been built simply innumerable. Some of them appeared and soon disappeared, as if nothing had happened. Others have been preserved for centuries, albeit not in their original form, but after significant reconstructions. Still others were created relatively recently, but have already managed to fall in love with many believers and tourists. What temples of the world today are considered the most beautiful, read further in the article.
Sacré-Coeur Basilica (Paris, France)
The Catholic Basilica of Sacré Coeur is one of the most beautiful temples in the world. It is located on top of the Montmartre hill in Paris. It was created in 1875-1914. designed by architect Paul Abadi in honor of the victims of the Franco-Prussian war. Outside, it resembles a majestic castle with turrets. The inside is decorated with monumental mosaics and colored stained-glass windows. Interestingly, it is here that the bell weighing 19 tons, which is considered the largest in France, is located. The weight of his tongue is 850 kg. And also in the basilica there is a statue of St. Peter. It is believed that if you stroke her leg, the believer will definitely return to Paris again.
Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord (Kizhi, Russia)
One of the octagonal Christian churches of the world was built in 1714 on the site of a tent church that burned down in 1694. It has been renovated and rebuilt more than once. It was ranked among the main architectural monuments of Russia. Today it is protected by UNESCO. This church is notable for the fact that it was created from planks without a single nail and has 22 domes. The famous iconostasis was removed back in 1980 "in order to strengthen the walls with metal materials." It has not been restored so far, it exists only in a virtual reconstruction. Services here are held exclusively in summer, in winter the church is closed, as it is very cold inside.
Lutheran Arctic Cathedral (Tromso, Norway)
This parish church is one of the main attractions of the city of Tromsø. It was built in 1964-1965. Consecrated by Bishop Montrard Norverdal. In appearance, it should resemble an iceberg, but is said to be more like the island of Haja, located in the region. The inside is decorated with a stained glass window created by Victor Sparre. The painting depicts the hand of God with three rays emanating from it, which are directed at the figure of Jesus Christ and the people standing next to him. The decor of the church is also made up of wooden benches, an altar and a pulpit. Everything here is very strict and elegant at the same time.
Cologne Cathedral (Germany)
This is one of the oldest temples in the world. Built and rebuilt over several centuries - approximately from 1248 to 1880, reconstructed countless times. Today it is ranked among the tallest buildings on planet Earth. Its main "treasures" are: the chest of St. Engelbert with the relics of the archbishop, staff of St. Petra and his monstrance, a chest with the relics of the three Magi, a Gothic ceremonial cross, silver goblets and exhibits of the 20th century, numerous statues. As well as a carved image of the Milan Madonna, considered miraculous and revered by believers.
St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican)
This Catholic Cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world. It was built and restored over many centuries, starting from 326. Such famous people as Giovanni Bernini, Michelangelo, Donato Bramante and Raphael worked on its creation. Today, the temple can accommodate about 60 thousand inside and up to 400 thousand people outside (in the square). Very popular with tourists and believers. People come here to see the "Gate of Death" (a relief sculpture created by Giacomo Manza), various tombstones of saints, the marble "Pieta" by Michelangelo and other interesting objects and works of art.
Church of Panagia Paraportiani (Greece)
The Church of Panagia Paraportiani (Greek: Εκκλησία της Παναγίας της Παραπορτιανής), whose name translates as "The Virgin at the Gates", is located in the vicinity of Kastro, in the city of Chora, on the Greek island of Mykonos. Construction of the building began in 1425 and has not been completed to this day. Today the temple consists of 5 separate churches connected to each other: 4 churches dedicated to St. Eustathius, St. Soson, Anargyra and St. Anastasia are at ground level and form the basis of the fifth, which is located above them (almost on the roof). Today, the basilica is considered one of the most famous architectural structures in Greece.
Las Lajas (Colombia)
This is one of the most beautiful temples in the world. Built in 1916-1948. right on the bridge in the canyon of the Guaitara river. Its reflection falls on the mirror surface of the water and is reflected from it, so Las Lajas seems to be very high. It is interesting that not far from the temple there is a cave with a miraculous image of the Mother of God with a baby in her arms carved on its wall. It is believed that this image has miraculous powers. Allegedly, a wide variety of diseases are cured here: from a simple sore throat to drug addiction or alcoholism. You can judge this by the thousands of stone tablets with thanks lying near the cathedral.
Crystal Cathedral (California, USA)
The Protestant megachurch, located in the city of Garden Grove, consists of more than 10 thousand rectangular mirror blocks and is considered the largest building of glass in the world. Incredibly beautiful inside and out. Can accommodate up to 2900 people. They can follow the service on the Sony Jumbotron monitor located in the temple. Interestingly, it was from here that Pastor Robert Schuller broadcast his "Hour of Power" program, which was considered one of the most popular Christian programs in the world in the 60s of the last century. The temple was sold in 2011 for $57.5 million to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.
Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Italy)
This famous temple of the world, located in the historical part of Milan and considered its symbol, is the fifth largest church in the world. Built of white marble in the Flamboyant Gothic style. It is second in size only to St. Peter's Basilica, located in the Vatican. It contains many different sculptures (3400 pieces), spiers, turrets. The most important sights: a nail, which, according to legend, was used for the crucifixion of Christ; a gilded statue of the patroness of the city - the Virgin Mary (La Madonina); Mausoleum of Gian Giacomo Medici Quadroni of Saint Carlo Borromeo. As well as various works of art.
Wat Rong Khun (Thailand)
The Buddhist temple was built in 1997 by Thai millionaire artist Chalermchai Kositpipat in several styles at once. It is remarkable that it is made mainly of white material. It was badly damaged on May 5, 2014 as a result of an earthquake. Currently being actively restored, so the entrance to it is prohibited. The temple will open soon. According to plans, all work will be fully completed only by 2070. This is because it is carried out with money received from the sale of souvenirs or received as a donation from individuals and tourists. The Thai government does not subsidize the reconstruction of the temple.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque (UAE)
This is the sixth largest mosque in the world. Located in Abu Dhabi (capital of the UAE). It was built over 20 years from Macedonian marble on an area of 22,400 square meters. meters. Officially opened in 2007. It can be visited not only by Buddhists, but also by representatives of other faiths (subject to certain rules). Main attractions: carpet area of 5627 square meters. meters (the largest in the world) and chandeliers decorated with gold leaf and Australian Swarovski crystals. One of these ceiling products is still the largest of those installed in mosques around the world.
Blue Mosque (Istanbul, Turkey)
One of the most famous and important buildings in the capital of Thailand - Istanbul. Located near Hagia Sophia. The official name of the mosque is Sultanahmet. It has 6 minarets, four of which are equipped with three balconies, and two more with two. Inside is decorated with floral motifs, carpets, ornaments of various colors. It contains a mihrab (prayer niche made of solid marble) and a Sultan's bed. Can accommodate up to 10 thousand people. Next to this mosque is the burial place of Ahmed the First, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, who lived at the beginning of the 17th century. You can visit the attraction on any day.
Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)
Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia - this is the name of this church, located in Barcelona, ordinary people. It was created between 1882 and 1926 with donations from private individuals and designed by Antonio Gaudí. Not fully completed yet. The work is delayed by a lack of funding and the complexity of the production and erection of stone blocks. However, incompleteness does not affect the interest of tourists in this attraction, reminiscent of a sand castle. People love its unusual look and decoration. They are ready to come here every year just to admire this beauty.
Stave Church in Borgunn (Norway)
One of the ancient frame churches. Erected from ash in honor of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called around 1150-80s. Distinctive feature is the presence of sculptural images of dragons located on the ridges of the roof. Near the handles on the door, you can see runic amulets, which may have been carved to protect against enemies. Also interesting are the burials of soldiers buried in the period from 1177 to 1184. Today the temple belongs to the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Monuments. Tourists come here with pleasure.
Sainte Chapelle (France)
The Holy Chapel, located on the island of Conciergerie, was erected by decree of Saint Louis in 1242-48 to store sacred relics brought by the crusaders from the sacked Constantinople. It is considered one of the most beautiful small Gothic churches. The most interesting items that are stored here are: statues of the apostles and stained glass windows created back in the 13th century.
Previously, there were the "Crown of Thorns from the head of Jesus Christ", particles of the Lord's cross and the spear of Longinus, but after the French Revolution they were moved to other places. Today, restoration work is being carried out in the temple, but this does not affect the popularity of the attraction among tourists. They come here to admire the beauty of the majestic vaults and the illustrations of scenes from the New and Old Testament.
As a conclusion
These are the most famous and truly majestic temples in the world. But can they be considered the most beautiful? Perhaps not quite. After all, for everyone, especially for a Russian person, the church that is located in their small homeland is always nicer, dearer and more beautiful. It's like with a parent's house: you can have many different dwellings scattered throughout the country or even the world, including very richly furnished ones, but it will be drawn to where you grew up and matured.
The most beautiful and unusual temples in the world. Part 1At all times and in all cultures, people needed places where they could come to feel the universal grace and think about the eternal. Temples, cathedrals, churches and chapels are not only sacred places for religious people, but also an amazing attraction for tourists. There are churches in almost all cities of the world, and most of them are distinguished by interesting and unusual architecture. Imagine: the largest cathedrals, unique temples, beautiful churches...
1. Las Lajas Cathedral (Las Lajas Sanctuary)
In 1949, in Colombia, inside the canyon of the Guaitara River, the construction of a neo-Gothic cathedral was completed (begun in 1916), which became a symbol of union and peace between the two Franciscan communities: Colombian and Ecuadorian. The Cathedral of Las Lajas was built directly on a thirty-meter arched bridge spanning a deep gorge. This allows two South American peoples to visit the temple at once and take care of its condition.A beautiful legend is connected with the building of the chapel about how a woman named Maria Musis carried her deaf-mute daughter Rosa on her back, but she suddenly asked (for the first time in her life speaking) to stop in the nearest cave. There Rosa painted the Virgin Mary with her son on the wall of the cave. Later, the examinations could not establish either the paints or other substances with which the picture was drawn. The only thing they could determine was that the stones were "impregnated" with the painting several feet deep. 
2. Hallgrímskirkja
The famous Lutheran church was designed by architect Guðjón Samúelsson in 1937. After the approval of the plan, in the center of Reykjavik, Iceland, construction began on the church, which lasted almost 38 years, until 1974. Now the Lutheran church is the fourth tallest building in Iceland.
Its height is 74.5 meters, and at the top of the tower there is an observation deck that offers a panoramic view of Reykjavik. The church got its strange name in memory of the Icelandic poet Hallgrímur Petterson (Hallagrum Patterson). The shape of the church, according to the creators, should resemble geysers, of which there are so many in Iceland.
By the way, a description of approximately such towers can be found in Tolkien's book The Lord of the Rings. It is known that the professor borrowed a lot from Icelandic mythology for his trilogy, it is possible that the architecture of such buildings is also mentioned in ancient Icelandic myths. 
3. Saint Basil's Cathedral
One of the main attractions of Russia is the Orthodox St. Basil's Cathedral, located on Red Square in Moscow. It was built by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible in 1555-1561 in honor of the victory over the Kazan Khanate. Height: 60 m. The cathedral is named after the holy fool Vasily, who dared to tell Ivan the Terrible everything he thought about his tyranny. According to legend, the architect who designed this cathedral was subsequently blinded by order of Ivan the Terrible so that he could never create anything more beautiful.
St. Basil's Cathedral (currently - Cathedral of the Intercession Holy Mother of God) - the main attraction of Moscow for many years. Since 1931, a bronze monument to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky has been placed in front of the cathedral (installed on Red Square in 1818). And probably for a long time foreigners will ask: "How to get on Red Square to St. Basil's Cathedral?" 
4. Temple of the Holy Family (Sagrada Família)
The cathedral in Barcelona has the full name Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia. The literal translation means "redemptive temple of the holy family." The construction of the cathedral began in 1882 and continues to this day. The original project was designed by Antoni Gaudí, who worked on the project for over forty years. When asked why the design took so long, he replied: "My client is in no hurry."
The construction of the cathedral was interrupted due to civil war 1936, when the Catalan fanatics destroyed all the models of Gaudí. Now construction continues in accordance with the few saved plans and modern developments. It is planned that the construction will be completed in 2026, but no one believes in it. The project has long been dubbed "The Cathedral that will never be completed." But now, thanks to its fabulous style and mysterious appearance, it has received the title of the most important city attraction. 
5. St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican)
It is the largest religious building in the world and is the heart of all Christianity. The building is truly huge - it covers an area of more than two hectares and can accommodate up to 60 thousand people at the same time.
On the site of the modern cathedral, there was already a church built by the first emperor of Rome, Constantine, in 324 AD. That church stood for about 1200 years, until they decided to remake it into the largest cathedral. All prominent figures of the Renaissance took part in the construction. Michelangelo designed the vaults, Jean Lorenzo Bernini designed the main square, and Donato Bromante was the cathedral's first architect. 
6. Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral (France)
This is the most important attraction of Paris - the quintessence of Gothic architecture. The construction of Notre Dame began in 1163, when Bishop Maurice de Sully decided to confirm his status with a more convenient church. And it ended much later - after two hundred years, but still the cathedral became one of the first truly large-scale European projects. Year built: 1345; Height: 69 m.
There are many amazing things in the cathedral. For example, windows (the largest in the world at that time) that depict scenes from the Bible.
There are many legends associated with the cathedral. For example, according to one of them, the Emmanuel bell was cast in 1600 from decorations donated to the cathedral by women in order to get a unique ringing. But the cathedral gained its fame thanks to Victor Hugo. The popularity of the book exceeded all expectations. 
7. Grundtvig's Church
The next Lutheran church to be discussed is in Copenhagen, Denmark. This magnificent building, made in the style of expressionism, is one of the main attractions of the city. The architect of the Grundtvig Church was Peder Klint. Construction continued from 1921 to 1926.
8. Church of Solace
The Church of Consolation was built in the Spanish town of Cordoba. This church is still very young. It was designed in 2011 by an architectural bureau called Vicens+Ramos, according to all the canons of minimalism. Only the wall, located in the place of the altar, sparkles with gold, breaking out of the strictly white color of the building.
9. Small Basilica of the Glorious Mother of God (Basílica Menor de Nossa Senhora da Glória)
The highest Catholic cathedral in Latin America is the Minor Basilica of the Glorious Mother of God. Its height is 114 meters, plus a ten-meter cross on its top. Inspired by the views of Soviet satellites, Don Jaime Luis Coelho began to develop a project for the cathedral, however, the architect who brought this project to life, as a result, was José Augusto Bellucci. The cathedral was built from 1959 to 1972.
10. Milan Cathedral
In the very center of Milan, there is a magnificent Gothic-style cathedral. Many pointed spiers, sculptures and statues, columns and turrets - all this is the white marble Milan Cathedral. From any excursion in Milan in Russian, you will learn that the cathedral was built over five centuries and is still the fourth largest cathedral in the world. From the roof of the cathedral offers an impressive view of the city. Inside the temple there is, revered by all the inhabitants, a golden statue of the patroness of Milan, and above the altar there is a nail, which, according to legend, was taken out of the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
This is one of the largest "long-term construction". The cathedral began to be built in 1386; it was consecrated in 1417; began to function in 1572; in 1769, a 104-meter spire appeared with a four-meter statue of the Madonna made of gilded bronze; 135 marble needles, directed to the sky and conveying the mood of Gothic architecture, were completed in the 19th century; and some design details were completed right up to 1956! 
11. Jubilee Church
The Jubilee Church or the Church of the Merciful God the Father in Rome was built in 1996-2003 by the architect Richard Meyer. Not particularly embarrassed, he called it the "millennium project" and "the pride of the crown of the metropolis of Rome." Initially, the construction of the church was conceived to revitalize the life of the inhabitants of the city, but, over time, it became a real social center of Rome.
The Jubilee Church stands on a triangular platform surrounded by high-rise residential buildings that house about 30,000 people.
Three parallel arcs, as conceived by the author, symbolize the Holy Trinity, and the smooth mirror surface on which the church is located should resemble water, which is an important part of the baptism ceremony. 
12. Church of Paraportiani
The white church was built in the 15th-17th centuries on the island of Mykonos, Greece. The temple consists of 5 churches, four of which are on the ground, and the fifth is based on them.
13. Borgund Stave Church
Location: Lardal, Norway. Year built: 1180; Height: 37 m.
The Stave Church in Borgunn was built in 1150-1180 in Norway. This is one of the oldest wooden churches that have come down to us in its original form. The Stave Church Borgund was created without the use of metal parts. At first, the frame of the racks was assembled on the ground, and only then it was lifted up with the help of long poles. 
14. St. Joseph the Betrothed Church
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of St. Joseph in Chicago, Illinois, USA, was built in 1956. It is known all over the world for its thirteen modern golden domes, symbolizing the twelve apostles and Jesus Christ in the center.
15. Cathedral of Our Lady of Tears (Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime)
According to legend, in the middle of the last century, on the site where the cathedral now stands, there lived a religious couple who had a small figurine of the Madonna. One day, Madonna began to "cry" real human tears. Pilgrims who believed in this, from all over the world rushed to the city to look at this miracle. It was in his honor, in the small Italian town of Syracuse, that this cathedral was built.
16. Notre Dame du Haut
The Catholic Church of Notre Dame du Haut was built in 1950-1955 in Ronchamp, France. Its architect, Le Corbusier, not particularly religious, took on this project on the condition that his creative expression would not be limited by the clergy. At first, this building caused great indignation among the locals. They even refused to supply electricity and water to the temple. However, over time, this temple became so popular among tourists that it ceased to need "alms" from citizens and, moreover, became one of the main sources of income for the Ronshans themselves.
This extravagant project is vaguely reminiscent of Elvis Presley's hair. However, this chapel is more famous than the village in which it is located, therefore, for brevity, this Notre Dame is called Ronchamp. The effect that an unusual roof creates is obvious - during the rains, moisture accumulates on the roof, and then flows down like a fountain.
Despite the controversial design, Notre Dame du Haut is considered one of Le Corbusier's most successful works. 
17. US Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel
This majestic building is located in the state of Colorado, USA on the territory of a training base and a military camp of one of the branches of the Air Force Pilot Academy. The Cadets Chapel was built in 1962 by renowned architect Walter Netch. The chapel, made in the style of modernism, consists of seventeen rows of steel frames and with peaks at the end. Services of the Protestant, Catholic and Jewish denominations are held in three halls of the chapel.
18. Arctic Cathedral
In 1965, the amazing beauty of the Arctic Cathedral was built in the Norwegian town of Tromsø. It consists of two merging triangular structures, covered with white metal plates, which create the association of the cathedral with a huge iceberg. This was exactly the original idea of Jan Inge Hovig, the architect of the Arctic Cathedral.
19. Painted Arbore Church
Magnificent painted temples are one of the main architectural sights of Moldova. All these churches are decorated with picturesque frescoes both inside and outside. Thanks to this unique phenomenon, each of the buildings is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All painted churches in Moldova were built in the period from 1522-1547.
20. Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Cathedral of Brasília)
The Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built in Brazil in 1958-1970 by the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer. It consists of sixteen hyperboloid columns symbolizing hands raised to the sky. The entire space between these columns is covered with picturesque stained-glass windows. For the project of the cathedral, in 1988, Oscar Niemeyer received the Pritzker Prize for the best building made in the style of modernism.
21. Church of Saint George
In the Ethiopian town of Lalibela in the 13th century, by order of the king, an amazing church was created. According to legend, this miracle was built for 24 years. The Church of St. George is a cross 25 by 25 meters, entirely carved into the rocks. In total, there are 11 temples in the town of Lalibela, carved into the rocks and connected by underground tunnels.
22. Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá
The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, located in Colombia, was carved into a solid salt rock. The height of the cathedral is 23 meters, and the capacity is over 10 thousand people. Many years ago, there was a mine in this place used by the Indians to extract salt. When the need for it disappeared, a temple was built on the site of the mine.
23. St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery
Tradition attributes the founding of the monastery to the first Metropolitan of Kyiv, Mikhail. This magnificent monastery is one of the oldest in Kyiv. It includes a bell tower, a refectory with the Church of St. John the Evangelist and the newly built St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral. It is assumed that it was the Mikhailovsky Cathedral that became the first church in Russia with a gilded top, which set such a peculiar tradition of decorating churches.
24. Hagia Sophia Cathedral (Turkey)
Technically, Hagia Sophia (from Greek - the Church of the Holy Wisdom of God) is no longer a church, now a museum is located in this Istanbul building. The cathedral has a long history - it was originally a Christian church. Then it was rebuilt as part of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Constantinople. Height: 55 m.
On May 30, 1453, Sultan Mehmed II turned the cathedral into a mosque. Thanks to this, when in 1935, according to the decree of Ataturk, Hagia Sophia became a museum, the restorers found that most of the frescoes were not just preserved under a layer of plaster, they were perfectly preserved, being in fact "conserved"! Such is the story of how Islam saved a Christian shrine.
The construction of the church was completed in 537 under Emperor Julian I, and for another thousand years it remained the largest church in the world. Today this church is a sample of Byzantine art, a subject of study for many researchers from all over the world. The symbol of the Golden Age of Byzantium was rebuilt several times during its life after fires and changed several roles. At first, the temple was one of the main ones in Christianity, then, on July 16, 1054, it was here that the separation of the Orthodox and Catholic churches took place. In 1204, the Crusaders stole the shroud from the temple, which was kept here - today we know it as the Shroud of Turin. 
Part of the painting of St. Sophia Cathedral (on the fresco - John the Baptist)
25. Crystal Cathedral in California (The Crystal Cathedral, USA)
It is difficult to say how the attempt to combine traditional churches with modern trends in architecture will be crowned. The "Crystal Cathedral" has nothing to do with either crystals or a cathedral. This is an amazing Protestant megachurch in Garden Grove, California.
The church is almost entirely made of glass fragments, of which there are more than 12 thousand. The exterior is impressive - the cathedral is made in the form of a quadrangular crystal star, but it is even more beautiful inside when sunlight penetrates through the glass and the sky is visible.
And inside there is the largest organ in the world, in which there are more than 16 thousand pipes. 
Temples, cathedrals, churches and chapels are not only a sacred place for religious people, but also a stunning attraction for tourists. There are churches in almost all cities of the world and most of them are distinguished by interesting and unusual architecture. Simply because they are churches. We have tried to select the ten most beautiful cathedrals in the world. It turned out or not - judge for yourself.
Cathedral of Las Lajas (Colombia)
The construction of the Las Lajas Cathedral inside the Guaitara River Canyon began in 1916 and continued until 1949. The cathedral was built on donations on the site of an old chapel built in the 19th century.
A beautiful legend is connected with the construction of the chapel about how an Indian woman, whose name was Maria Musis, was carrying her deaf-mute daughter Rose on her back, when she suddenly asked (for the first time in her life speaking) to stop in the nearest cave. There Rosa painted the Virgin Mary with her son on the wall of the cave.
Later examinations could not establish any paint or other substances with which the picture was drawn. The only thing they were able to determine was that the stones were "impregnated" with the painting several feet deep.
Whether the legend is true, no one knows. But this Gothic cathedral rightfully bears the title of one of the most beautiful and mysterious temples in the world.
Sagrada Familia (Spain)
The full name of the Sagrada Familia is Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família. The literal translation means "The Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family". The construction of the cathedral began in 1882 and continues to this day. The original design was designed by Antoni Gaudí, who worked on the project for over forty years. When asked why the design took so long, he replied "My client is in no hurry."
The construction of the cathedral was interrupted due to the civil war in 1936, when the Catalan fanatics destroyed all the models of Gaudí. Now construction continues according to the few surviving plans and modern developments. It is planned that the construction will end in 2026, but no one believes in it. The project has long been dubbed "The Cathedral that will never be completed."
Basil's Cathedral (Russia)
Probably not worth talking a lot about St. Basil's Cathedral. I think every person who has been to Moscow has seen him at least once. The cathedral stands on Red Square and is named after the holy fool Vasily, who dared to tell Ivan the Terrible everything he thinks about his tyranny.
And the architect who designed this cathedral was subsequently blinded by order of Ivan the Terrible, so that he could never again create anything more beautiful.
St. Basil's Cathedral has been the main attraction of Moscow for many years. And probably for a long time visiting foreigners will ask "How to get to Red Square to St. Basil's Cathedral?".
Hagia Sophia (Turkey)
Technically, "Hagia Sophia" (from Greek - the Church of the Holy Wisdom of God) is no longer a church, now a museum is located in this Istanbul building. The cathedral has a long history - it was originally a Christian church. Then it was rebuilt as part of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Constantinople. After the city surrendered to the Turks in 1453, it became a mosque. Much later this church was turned into a museum.
The construction of the church was completed in 537 under Emperor Julian the First, and for another thousand years it remained the largest church in the world. Today this church is the largest example of Byzantine art, the subject of study for many researchers from all over the world.
St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican)
Of course, we could not ignore the largest religious building in the world - St. Peter's Basilica, which is the heart of all Christianity. The building is truly huge - it covers an area of more than two hectares and can accommodate up to 60,000 people at a time.
On the site of the current cathedral, there was already a church built by the first emperor of Rome, Constantine, in 324 AD. That church stood for about 1200 years, until they decided to remake it into the largest cathedral. All the most prominent figures of the Renaissance took part in the construction. Michelangelo designed the dome, Jean Lorenzo Bernini designed the main square, and Donato Bromante was the cathedral's first architect.
Notre Dame de Paris (France)
And, of course, we could not ignore this most important sight of Paris - the quintessence of Gothic architecture. The construction of Notre Dame began in 1163, when Bishop Maurice de Sully decided to confirm his status with a more convenient church. Construction ended much later - two hundred years later, but still the cathedral became one of the first truly large-scale European projects.
There are many amazing things in the cathedral. For example, windows (the largest in the world at that time) that depict scenes from the Bible.
Many legends are associated with it. For example, according to one of them, the bell "Emmanuel" was cast in 1600 from the adornments of women who threw them into a common cauldron to give the bell a unique sound.
But the cathedral gained its fame thanks to Victor Hugo, who wrote a novel about the Hunchback of Notre Dame, who fell in love with the beautiful dancer Esmeralda. The popularity of the book exceeded all expectations.
Hallgrimskirkja (Iceland)
This church with an unpronounceable name was built in Reykjavik between 1945 and 1986. With a height of 74.5 meters, it is the fourth tallest building in all of Iceland and is located exactly in the center of the capital, so that it can be seen from all points of the city. Guðjón Samúelsson was appointed as the chief architect of the project.
The Icelandic church got its strange name (literal translation: Hallgrimur Church) in honor of the poet and clergyman Hallgrimur Petterson. The appearance is reminiscent of geysers, of which there are a huge number in Iceland.
By the way, a description of approximately such towers can be found in Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings. It is known that the professor borrowed a lot from Icelandic mythology for his trilogy, it is possible that the architecture of such buildings is also mentioned in ancient Icelandic myths.
Jubilee Church(Italy)
So far, we have considered only classical churches. Some are more than a thousand years old, some are not even a hundred (and some are completely unfinished), but they all have a more or less classical style. Of course, there are architects who break the canons and build churches in the Art Nouveau style. One of these, Richard Meyer, built a church in Rome and did not hesitate to proclaim it a "millennium project" and "the pride of the crown of the metropolitanate of Rome."
The effect of the unusual roof is obvious - during rains, moisture accumulates on the roof, and then flows down in the form of a fountain.
Despite the controversial design, Notre Dame du Haut is considered one of Le Corbusier's most successful works.
Crystal Cathedral (USA)
It is difficult to say how the attempt to combine traditional churches with modern trends in architecture will be crowned. Strictly speaking, the "Crystal Cathedral" has nothing to do with either crystals or cathedrals. This is the most amazing Protestant Megachurch in Garden Grove, California.
The church is almost entirely made of glass, of which there are more than 12 thousand. The exterior is captivating - the cathedral is made in the form of a four-pointed crystal star, but even more beautiful at this time inside, when sunlight penetrates through the glass and the sky is visible.
And inside there is the largest organ in the world, in which there are more than 16 thousand pipes.
