There are many beautiful churches that will surprise you in this world. Different architecture styles from gothic to baroque to rococo fill the skylines of many cities and towns. Sizes range from massive cathedrals to cute, little country churches. If you have ever walked into a church or cathedral and just thought, “Man, this is incredible!” then you know where I am coming from. They are all striking churches that will surprise you in a unique way. Let’s begin…

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Austria

1. Salzburg Cathedral, Salzburg

I have seen a lot of churches and cathedrals. So far, Salzburg Cathedral tops the list as the most gorgeous I have laid eyes upon. You always hear about St. Peter’s Basilica, The Milan Cathedral and the Cologne Cathedral (yes, I’ve seen them all too.) The intricacies of the ceilings in the Salzburg Cathedral and the gleaming white interior are majestic. The Baroque cathedral was rebuilt in the 17th century; however, a church has existed in this spot since 774.

We happened upon the cathedral five minutes before noon. A bulletin was placed in our hands upon entry – and no line-ups! Sitting down with anticipation, we settled in for what we thought was going to be an organ recital. Turns out it was a half hour service. The service was spoken in German, adding to the delightful experience. It is a treat when you happen upon something in your travels that was unplanned. One part of the service was recognizable, which was the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. The meter and flow of the prayer was unmistakable.

Belgium

2. Church of Our Lady, Bruges

Construction of the present-day gothic church began in the 13th century. The Church of Our Lady has the highest spire in Bruges at 115 metres. Bruges’ most sensational work of art, Michelangelo’s “Mother with Child”, resides in the church. A merchant purchased the statue in 1506 and donated it to the church. The incredible white marble piece was the only sculpture of Michelangelo’s to leave Italy during his lifetime. Entry into the church is free but there is a small fee to see the statue.

3. St. Margaret’s Church, Lier

The black and white marble contrasts are quite striking on the high altar of St. Margaret’s Church in Lier. We were sole visitors in the church. A man played the organ as we walked around the building. The peace and serenity of the church was calming. Located in the Beguinage, construction of the church started in 1664. Beguinages were closed courtyards inhabited by single women during medieval times. Some were widows whose husbands had left for the crusades. Many of the husbands never returned.

4. Saint Rumbold’s Cathedral, Mechelen

Built in the 13th century, the tower of this cathedral is the most impressive in Mechelen. The Calvinist regime ravaged the church to remove all Catholic remnants. Bombs did damage during the Second World War. Fire broke out in 1972. Still, the church stands. Most impressive is the carved, wooden pulpit inside the church.

Italy

5. Church of San Pietro Caveoso, Matera

The original building of the Church of San Pietro dates to 1218. The baroque façade has had many reconstructions over the years. The interior of the church is quiet and sombre. The exterior views from the church are astounding as you can see the ravine scarred by caves where people used to dwell. Matera is the earliest settlement in Europe and it used to be so poor is was considered a disgrace. It is now cleaned up and has since become a UNESCO Heritage site. Caves now operate as shops, restaurants and hotels.

6. Church of San Giovanni Battista, Monterosso al Mare

The Church of San Giovanni Battista in the town of Monterosso al Mare is lovely. One of the prettiest in the Cinque Terre, this 14th-century church features a ligurian gothic facade with white and black marble stripes. A rose window adorns the entrance. It is a challenge to get a good picture of the outside since the streets are so narrow. The black and white interior is also remarkable.

7. Sant’Agostino Church, San Gimignano

Construction of Sant’Agostino began in 1280 and was completed in 1298. The medieval artwork in this church is incredible. Frescos adorn the walls depicting life from medieval times. One poignant picture shows Saint Sebastian interceding to God for protection of the people of San Gimignano from the plague. Notice how his cape covers the crowd. The church is in the upper part of town further away from the tourist centre. A lovely square is nearby where you can stop for a bite to eat after visiting the church.

Jordan

8. St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, Madaba

Inside this quaint church is the Madaba Map. The ancient map is an astonishing mosaic tiled floor. An unknown artist in the 6^th century pieced together millions of tiny pieces of coloured stone to create a detailed map of the Holy Land and Jerusalem. The antiquated map is the oldest map of the Holy Land in existence. Covered over with another floor, the map was rediscovered in 1884. Only a third of the map remains. Biblical locations are depicted and labelled in Greek. Observe a fish swimming backwards in the Jordan River, away from the poisonous Dead Sea. Don’t worry, you can swim in the Dead Sea. Just don’t drink it.

9. Memorial Church of Moses, Mount Nebo

Extraordinary mosaic floors dating around 530 are the highlight of this church sitting atop Mount Nebo. The mosaic floors are amongst the best preserved in Jordan. Built to commemorate the place of Moses’ death, this simple, modern church has foundations that were built around the 4th century.

Spain

10. Cadiz Cathedral, Cadiz

Built between 1722 and 1838, the interior of this cathedral is massive. Enormous wooden doors beg you to enter the structure. Inside, the ceilings which seem to reach heaven with their glorious, yet plain arches will leave a lasting impression. It is not overly ornate like many huge cathedrals. The sheer size is enough to make your jaw drop. Make sure to go up into the bell tower as the views of Cadiz and the Mediterranean are unparalleled. Finally, a trip down to the crypt is also a must.

Churches that will Surprise You

Fascinating times brought about the construction of churches that will surprise you. Some of them are hundreds of years old with foundations dating back millenniums. Plagues would have swept through their towns and inside their walls. Furthermore, wars and pillaging have declared their battle scars, yet still they endure. “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” – Matthew 7:25. Remarkable craftsmanship and meticulous preservation of these churches tell the stories of old. Churches and cathedrals are often the highlight of a visit to a city or town. Don’t miss experiencing their beauty when you visit a new destination.

All pictures in this post are taken by Charlotte, yours truly, as always, unless otherwise stated.