Cathedrals are a human’s masterpiece with their structure and impressive details that attract thousands of people. The older they are, the more magnificent, making them a visual delight for anyone who visits them. Europe has a large number of these wonderful architectural works, all worthy of admiration.
Florence Cathedral. Located in Italy, it is over 600 years old, and has an incredible facade designed in marble of Gothic art by Arnolfo Di Cambio. It is one of the largest monuments of Christianity in Florence and was declared, in 1982, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican. This Italian basilica is located right in the Vatican City. It is considered as a sacred place for the Catholicism and the largest of all the churches of Christendom. According to Catholic tradition, it was built on the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle and is more than 390 years old. On the outside, one can see two statues; one is St Peter and the other is St Paul, by the sculptors Giuseppe De Fabris and Adamo Tadolini. At the top is the statue of Jesus, and next to him, eleven of his apostles. A real work of art.
Siena Cathedral. A majestic catholic temple over 700 years old, was built in honor of Our Lady of Assumption and was declared World Heritage. It has a Gothic style and was designed by architect Giovanni Pisano. It is adorned inside and out out with white and greenish marble. The decoration of the interior is based on ancient religious scenes.
Chartres Cathedral. Located in France, its magnificent Gothic facade is the result of years of work, when you visit it you will see its beautiful asymmetry, full of details and the gallery of the kings. In 1979 it was declared a World Heritage Site.
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It is the main building of the Obradoiro square, the most beautiful square of France. The basilica was built in Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles. According to the catholic tradition, it functions as the tomb of the Apostle Santiago. Since then, every year on the 25th of July, Santiago is celebrated. It was declared of Cultural Heritage and World Heritage.
Santa María de Regla de León Cathedral. Also called among the Spaniards “the Pulchra Leonina”, it is a beautiful Catholic temple built during the thirteenth century, in a mix of Gothic and French style, with the most beautiful stained glass windows in the world. It has paintings, where the oldest is located in the retrochoir, which represents piety with an Italian influence.
The Milan Cathedral. It is the symbol of the city, it is one of the largest Catholic temples in the world, it took many years of construction. Its last door was completed in 2008. The whole building is full of statues, innumerable altars, paintings and funerary monuments like the statue of St. Bartholomew by Marco d’Agrate.
These are historical monuments worthy of admiration. Which is the most beautiful in your opinion?
ALFA