22 of the Most Beautiful Cathedrals in the World

Cathedrals are not only some of the most striking architectural wonders of religious history, but history on a global scale. Architecture of these religious structures influenced the growth of iconic movements, particularly Gothic and its related variants, and served as inspiration for some of history's most renowned creatives, like Leonardo da Vinci and Pierre Charles L'Enfant.

We've scoured the globe for the world's most beautiful cathedrals, from Mexico City to Moscow, and came across both famous and lesser-known architectural masterpieces. From the flying buttresses of Paris's best cathedrals to the domes of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Kiev, these beautiful cathedrals of the world are sure to inspire your next trip across the pond—or country.

St. Basil's is Russia's most iconic landmark, located in the heart of the Red Square. The cathedral was built during the reign of Ivan IV—known as "Ivan the Terrible"—who, legend has it, is said to have blinded the architects after its construction so that they would never build something so beautiful again. While the exterior of St. Basil's, which was completed in 1561, is vibrant and ornamented, its interior takes on a more neutral motif, but is striking nonetheless.

Construction of Duomo di Milano spanned six centuries, beginning in 1386, when Gothic architecture was in its heyday. Its construction site became a center of innovation and exchange of ideas for Europe's most talented engineers, architects, stone workers, and sculptors who worked on this masterpiece. Even Leonardo da Vinci had a hand in designing the cathedral's lantern tower in the 15th century. Napoleon had the facade completed during the 19th century and initiated the final stages of construction, which are still happening today.

This iconic New York landmark receives approximately five million visitors a year. The cathedral was built in the latter half of the 19th century to symbolize the rise of religious freedom and tolerance in America.

Though criticized for building St. Patrick's Cathedral too far outside the city during this time (though it is now on some pretty prime real estate), Archbishop John Hughes believed in his vision of building the most beautiful Gothic cathedral in the New World, which would one day be "the heart of the city." Construction continued throughout the Civil War and was completed in 1878, fulfilling Hughes' dream.

Notre-Dame is not only one of the most famous cathedrals in Europe, but in all the world. Situated in the heart of Paris right off the Seine, construction of Notre-Dame began in 1163, and it was consecrated 26 years later.

While it's an impressive feat that the cathedral is still standing nearly 1,000 years after its construction, it has seen much damage and deterioration over the years. Its restoration can be attributed to Emperor Napoleon for making Notre-Dame his passion project after the French Revolution, as well as Victor Hugo's eponymous book. A fire broke out in 2019 during another restoration, destroying most of the roof and Viollet-le-Duc’s 19th-century spire.

Formerly the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, construction of this historic landmark began in 1296. Florence Cathedral is the fourth largest church in the world, housing frescoes, sculptures, and stained glass artworks that have made its interior just as famous as its exterior. The largest work of art in Florence Cathedral is Last Judgment, a fresco designed by Giorgio Vasari.

This High Gothic masterpiece took more than 600 years to construct, beginning in 1248, and bears witness to the endurance of Christianity in Europe. According to UNESCO, "No other Cathedral is so perfectly conceived, so uniformly and uncompromisingly executed in all its parts." Cologne Cathedral is described as marking the pinnacle of cathedral architecture, making it one of the most popular landmarks in Germany.

St. Paul's is an Anglican cathedral located in London's city center. The site used to house a Roman temple to Diana and was dedicated to Paul in 604 A.D. The cathedral has gone through five iterations, the final in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, built by Christopher Wren (known as the greatest English architect of his time) after it was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Wren combined Baroque, neoclassical, and Gothic elements, paying homage to both the English Restoration and 17th-century scientific philosophy. Some decorative changes were made to its interior in the 19th century to be more aligned with the Victorian style that dominated the period.

This stunning Romanesque Cathedral was first constructed beginning in 1075 and consecrated in 1211. While its original Medieval structure has been preserved, the cathedral has experienced much expansion and development throughout the Renaissance, Baroque, and neoclassical periods, making this cathedral a historic and architectural wonder. Its museum offers insight into the history, culture, and art of these movements, making it a must-see for those visiting the area.

Construction on the Burgos Cathedral began in the 13th century, at the same time as the famous cathedrals in Paris's city center. Located in Burgos's historic city center in the northern Iberian peninsula, the cathedral is designed in the French High Gothic style and has influenced art and architecture since its construction.

One of its most notable influences was housing a Cathedral workshop in the 15th and 16th centuries, where artists from other parts of western Europe trained Spanish architects and sculptors. It became known as one of the most respectable schools of its time.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the world and is one of Bulgaria's most popular tourist attractions. The cathedral was named after a Russian prince and honors Russian soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877, after which Bulgaria was freed from Ottoman rule. The cathedral was complete in 1912, with its name being temporarily changed shortly after, due to Russia and Bulgaria belonging to opposing alliances during WWI, but its original name was reinstated in 1920.

What makes this structure so unique is that it's comprised of pieces from across Europe. Its marble parts and light fixtures were made in Munich, metal elements in Berlin, and its gates and mosaics in Venice.

The Metropolitan Cathedral is Latin America's oldest and largest cathedral, and its unique design was inspired by Mexico's indigenous and colonial influences. Its famous Altar of the Kings is the oldest-known example of Churrigueresque—Mexican Gothic—and its exterior was built by stones taken from Aztec temples. It houses the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mexico today and is one of the capital city's most popular landmarks.

Montreal's Notre-Dame is best known for its breathtaking, vibrant interiors and is a jewel of Quebec's religious history. The Gothic Revival structure was built in the 1820s and features dual towers reminiscent of Paris's eponymous cathedral.

Notre-Dame's striking interior design can be attributed to local artist, Jean-Baptiste Lagacé, who was supervised by architect Victor Bourgeau. Alongside being a place of Catholic worship, prayer, and teaching, the cathedral houses state funerals, celebrity weddings, and year-round musical performances featuring a 7,000-pipe Casavant organ.

Also called the Cathedral of Notre Dame at Reims, the French High Gothic style structure is a historical landmark for many reasons. It was the sight of 25 coronations of the kings of France, from the 13th to 19th centuries, most notably of Louis VIII in 1223 and Charles VII in 1429 in the presence of Joan of Arc.

Construction of Reims Cathedral began in 1211, and while it was modeled on the Chartes Cathedreal, Reims incorporated several new architectural techniques of its time, such as bar tracery, which later became a signature element of French High Gothic architecture.

La Sagrada Familia has famously been under construction since it was first designed in 1882. Its original design was of the neo-Gothic style but was reimagined when legendary architect Antoni Gaudí took over the project a year later, shifting toward his signature Catalan-Modernist style. Seven architects have been on the project since Gaudí's death, most recently, Jordi Fauli in 2012, who has carried out the project according to Gaudí's plans.

Canterbury Cathedral is both an icon of British and church history. Its first archbishop, St. Augustine, arrived to the area as a missionary in 597 A.D.. It is the oldest church in England still in use. It's also likely the oldest organization in the English-speaking world.

The Bourges Cathedral honors St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and was built in the late 12th and 13th centuries. The cathedral is considered important in strengthening the popularity of Gothic architecture as well as symbolizing Christianity's popularity in Medieval France. The structure remains unaltered since its construction and its plan, unlike many other buildings of its time, and is still revered for its architecture, proportions, and decoration.

Palermo Cathedral is a unique structure featuring many styles of architecture. It was first constructed by the city's Anglo-Norman archbishop in 1185 and features a statue of Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of Palermo. Its blend of architectural styles can be attributed to multiple additions throughout the years, including the Italian Renaissance and neoclassical periods, featuring work from famed sculptor Antonello Gagini. Palermo Cathedral also features Gothic-Catalan architecture, making it a one-of-a-kind landmark for design enthusiasts.

Kiev's Saint Sophia's Cathedral was designed to rival the famous Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), symbolizing "the new Constantinople" and widespread conversion of Orthodox faith throughout Russia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Saint Sophia's Cathedral is regarded as an architectural monument of the 11th century and houses the largest collection of the century's mosaics and frescoes.

George Washington commissioned Pierre Charles L'Enfant to design the national cathedral—along with the rest of the nation's capitol—with plans beginning as early as 1791. L'Enfant imagined this cathedral would be "a great church for national purposes," and it has certainly been so, serving as a site for national prayer services, presidential funerals, and a remembrance ceremony after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., even preached his final Sunday Sermon at its Canterbury pulpit in 1968. It also boasts some spectacular gardens.

Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic edifice in the world, reflecting the country's Golden Age of colonization in the New World, Islamic influence, and religious power. Built on top of a former mosque, construction on this behemoth began at the turn of the 15th century and spanned seven centuries. Its strong ties to New World discovery makes it a natural home for many of the early explorers' precious documents, and it's even the site of Christopher Columbus's tomb.

The original Anglican cathedral was first completed at the start of the 12th century, and the structure we know it as today was built nearly 150 years later in the Early English Gothic style. Salisbury Cathedral was quite revolutionary for its time, as it emphasized the Gothic era's affinity for light and height, unlike the bulkier, heavy buildings being constructed during this time. It's home to the tallest spire in Britain-over 400 feet high—the largest green space in Britain, the oldest working clock in Europe, and the Magna Carta.

This awe-inspiring cathedral is the symbol of Austria's capital city. The last work of famed Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, the church was built in the 19th century and commissioned by Emperor Charles VI after the final great plague epidemic took place.

St. Charles Cathedral appropriately honors the patron saint Charles Borromeo, who is known for feeding and ministering to those who suffered from Europe's 16th-century plagues. Hedy Lamarr, an icon of Old Hollywood and inventor of the technology that led to modern-day WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth, even got married to her first husband in the church's tiny chapel in 1933.