Oh Heavens! Unique Religious Architecture Around the World

Oh Heavens Above!

Have you ever been in a new city, or even your city, and just been in awe of the unique religious architecture within?

I absolutely love unique cathedrals, ancient charming churches, magnificent mosques and terrific temples and always wonder how in the Lord’s name they built such edifices before modern inventions and still have them standing centuries later.

I read “Pillars of the Earth” years ago by Ken Follett, about the erection of a cathedral in medieval England involving feudal lords, peasants, war, looting, plunder and a very, very hated character called William. Ugh!

That novel gripped me with its twists, revenge plots and murder and lets just say the end made it feel like all was right with the world again. That’s how gripping the entire novel was.

That said, my fascination lay in this cathedral that stood and was still being erected decade after decade in the midst of civil wars, executions and coups.

The townspeople fought and protected the unfinished cathedral during every trial and tribulation Kingsbridge faced and I guess that was what triggered my nascent fascination with cathedrals. I highly recommend that novel. Seriously.

I see jaw-dropping pictures of mosques and temples too hence my choice to include them as part of this awesome collaboration with amazing travel bloggers from all corners whose contributions on religious architecture are below.

RELATED: A Day at The Cloisters: Angels, Art & Artifact

I know that there are some edifices that are not part of this post and I will shout out the ones I know of at the end.

This collection is from actual travel bloggers that experienced these wonders so do endeavour to visit their site and follow them on social media because they are ah-ma-zing. Without further ado, here goes.

Coventry Cathedral, Coventry, England

By Bernadette Jackson of A Packed Life

Coventry has a long history of motor manufacturing and as such, it was a major target during the Blitz of World War II.

One of the buildings most seriously affected was its cathedral, which was reduced to ruins, and out of this devastation came an immediate mission of peace and reconciliation.

In 1962, a new cathedral emerged, intimately connected to the ruin of its predecessor, with whom it shares a site.

Coventry Cathedral

Art signifying peace at Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral now bears a message of hope and reconciliation. It reaches out to all those affected by conflict, the first welcoming arms being extended to Dresden, Germany, which suffered similar damage to Coventry.

Today, a visit to the linked old and new cathedrals serves as a poignant reminder that hope flowers in the most challenging of situations.

Historical tidbit: Have you heard of or read the story of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom? I read this as a tween in one of those fascinating fact books for children and the legend occurs right here in Coventry!

Read More: 13 Compelling Things to do in Coventry

Vaishno Devi Mandir, Katra, India

By Abhay (A travel agency employee and digital nomad based in Kerala, India) of Asian Tours and Holidays

Mandir means temple in Hindi and this is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Durga. The temple is located in Katra, in the beautiful, but conflict-ridden state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Unlike most of the Hindu Temples, Vaishno Devi Mandir does not have any idols but three naturally formed rocks are worshipped instead.

Moreover, these rocks are in a cave currently named the Holy Cave and a proper building has been erected around the cave to effectively handle thronging devotees.

To reach this unique temple, devotees trek 12 km from Katra. While most elders opt for palkhis (palanquin), the younger and more energetic devotees trek on foot.

Devotees often shout “Aage wale Jai Mata Di, Peeche Wale Jai mata di, Saare bolo Jai Mata di” (Praising the Glory of the Goddess) to motivate fellow devotees.

One can reach the temple by taking a flight from Delhi to Jammu. If train is preferred, board a train to Udhampur railway station which is 45 km away from Katra.

Unique tidbit: The temple is made and located inside a rock cave.

Tbilisi Mosque, Georgia

By Jai Schmidt of Pretty Much Anything

The country of Georgia has a rich history, and that means it is a country that is tolerant of all religions. This is demonstrated in the Abanotubani region where a synagogue, mosque, and a cathedral are within blocks from each other.

Prior to 1951, Tbilisi had two mosques where the Shia and Sunni prayed separately but in 1951, the Communists tore down the Shia Blue Mosque leaving the Sunni Tbilisi Mosque. Since the Shia had no place to pray, the Sunni invited them to worship in their mosque.

Tbilisi Mosque was built in the 1700’s under the Ottoman Empire and has been destroyed thrice and rebuilt during its history. The strength and unity of its community is a true sign of its resilience.

Fascinating tidbit: This is the only unique mosque in the world where Sunnis and Shias pray together. Inside this unique mosque, the main color is blue in all of the paintings, portraits, and rugs, including the Imam’s area.

On Mount Mtasminda, Mamadaviti Church is frequented by locals and tourists. Inside the church, there are services where people can go in to pray. The church is best known for its cemetery where famous artists and historical figures are buried. These include Josef Stalin’s mother, the first president of Georgia, and the 20^th century painter, Lado Gudiashvilli.

Read More: Mamadaviti Church in Tbilisi

Praying hands on grave

Lalibela, Ethiopia

By Melissa Vint of Chasing Backlight

Lalibela is an Ethiopian town in the Amhara region known for their 11 identified UNESCO churches that are cut out of rock – and many still underground! They date back to the 12th and 13th centuries and the churches are pilgrimage sites for Coptic Christians.

Titillating tidbit: The famous cross-shaped structure is called Bete Giyorgis and many of these underground churches are connected via trenches.

Lalibela rock-cut church

Lalibela underground church

Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki, Finland

By Jacky of Nomad Epicureans

The Rock church in Helsinki, or Temppeliaukio Church as it is known in Finnish, is definitely one of the most unique churches you will ever visit and is a rare modern religious architecture compared to the ones on feature.

Almost impossible to spot between high-rising residential buildings, a large copper dome peaks out from the ground. Upon closer inspection, you will find it is the roof of the church.

Temppeliaukio Church was designed by the Suomalainen brothers and first opened its doors in 1969. What makes it so unique is its interiors – the church was blasted out of solid rock.

Unique tidbit: Controversial at the time, the interior of the church is dominated by rock, steel, and copper, rather than marble and gold. Today it is a Lutheran church, popular tourist attraction, and concert venue with outstanding acoustics.

Read More: One Day in Helsinki: Self-Guided Walking Tour

Lambertikirche, Munster, Germany

By Roxana Keyes of Gypsy With a Day Job

One of the most intriguing churches that I have come across is St. Lambert’s, or Lambertikirche, in Munster, Germany.

Located right in the heart of the city Altstadt, or old town, it is a smaller Gothic, reminiscent of Notre Dame, or Cologne Cathedral.  However, Lambertikirche is more remarkable for its history, than for its architecture.

In the last century, the church drew attention from the Third Reich because of its bold Bishop, Cardinal von Galen, who gave public sermons against the Nazi party.  This brought a strong military presence in the city, which likely played a part in it being heavily targeted by the Allies.

Fascinating history: Lambertikirche was known for its role in ending the Anabaptist revolt. Early in the Protestant Reformation, the Anabaptists seized control of the Munster churches, ousting the Catholic leaders while claiming to be founding the New Jerusalem for the Second Coming.

Anabaptists gained firm control and built a stronghold but a long period of famine and disease depleted their numbers.

This weakened state prompted the Catholic Bishop to retake the city with military force which lead to Anabaptist leaders executed and hung in cages at the top of the church steeple, as a warning to any future reformists.

Although they were once moved, the cages have been returned to the steeple of Lambertikirche, and are quite a sight.

Duomo di Milano

By Claire Jeffrey of Jeffers Adventures

Milan is home to Duomo di Milano, the largest church in Italy (if you count St Peter’s in the Vatican as Vatican City) and the third largest in the world.

Taking over 600 years to build, this exquisite building is one of the most unique churches ever visited.

One of its highlights is the Gold Madonna perched on top overlooking Milan. No other building in Milan should be taller than the height of the Madonna, as nothing should be closer to the heavens.

A replica of the Madonna is in the church as well as a highly detailed statue of a flayed St Bartholomew.

Unique tidbit: One of the most iconic pieces of art in the world is in a small church in Milan. The Last Supper takes up a whole wall in the refectory of a convent, The Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which also houses a huge tribute to the Crucifixion on the opposite wall.

The wall that has the fresco of The Last Supper backs onto the kitchens and the humidity and style of painting has led to significant decay but there are incredible restoration works to maintain this piece.

To enter this area, you need a ticket and it is in temperature and humidity controlled rooms.

Unique statue of the gold Madonna

The Last Supper

Chesterfield Cathedral, Derbyshire, England

By Nuraini Arsad of Teja on the Horizon

Chesterfield Cathedral

Al Rahma Mosque, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Having said that, the Al Rahma Mosque, or more popularly known as the Jeddah Floating Mosque, does not exhibit a full symmetric design but it has a unique structure that makes it evenly fascinating.

Having its pillars built in water, it gives an illusion that the mosque floats on water, especially during high tide when the sea water conceals all the pillars underneath.

When the mosque is illuminated at night, it gives a mystic vibe and a wonderful feast for the eyes regardless of your religion.

Floating Mosque

 Read More: Jeddah Floating Mosque

Lund Cathedral, Lund, Sweden

This is one that I visited during my solo trip to Scandinavia in April. The Cathedral is Lutheran in denomination and Romanesque in architecture and resembles the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal to me. Legend has it that a giant built the cathedral and is frozen to a pillar because he was angry at non-payment and wanted to destroy the church. I do love legends.

Unique historical tidbit: Do not miss the Astronomical Clock at the back of the cathedral and try to visit the basement to see this frozen giant pillar too.

Astronomical Clock

Lund Cathedral

Read More: Malmo and Lund Affordable Day Trip from Copenhagen

Mezquita De Cordoba, Spain

By Lori Fitzgibbons of Fitz5onthego

If you can tour one religious building in Andalusia Spain, the Mezquita de Cordoba (otherwise known as the Cathedral Mosque of Cordoba) has it all. A long and varied history, amazing religious architecture, religious inspiration, and pure awe inspiring beauty are just some of its complex features.

Historians believe the site originally housed a Roman Temple which was converted to a church in 572 by Visigoth invaders. Per several resources, at one time, the complex was both a church and a mosque but in 1784 the entire complex became a mosque that was completely rebuilt and expanded over the next 200 years.

During this time frame, the distinct red and white columns were added, as well as the courtyard, which still contains ancient orange trees and a bell tower that was formally the minaret. Somewhere around the 1200’s (during Spain’s reconquest), the Mezquita was changed back in to a church and in the 1600’s a large cathedral was plopped right in the middle of the complex.

There are many beautiful objects to stare at as well as the exquisitely made mihrab and dome. Most of the columns have been repaired but there are areas that still seem original. You can see the wear and tear over 1000 years of hands. Circle around and all of a sudden, you’ll run into the cathedral in the middle. The architecture is completely different and is just as amazing. It really does have the feeling of a European Church just being dropped in the middle. The organs are spectacular and the choir stalls are unique and remarkably crafted.

Unique attraction tidbit: The mosque and church features blend well together in an unusual juxtaposition and the Mezquita is considered one of the greatest examples of Islamic architecture in the world. When you visit the complex, you walk into a very pleasant courtyard where a view of the bell tower is best seen from. Get your tickets then go in. This building is a photographer’s paradise as it’s just so pretty.

Is this not AMAZING??!!!! Look at the detailing on the ceiling and the artifact!

 

The pipes and the art on this edifice!! I’m awed by pictures and would legit be speechless in person.

 

Read More: Cordoba Day Trip

Honourable Mentions

• Sagrada Familia: Everyone knows of this mighty Roman Catholic edifice in Barcelona, designed by Antoni Gaudi, still under construction centuries after erection began in 1882. It was consecrated as a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 and estimated completion year is 2026, the centenary of Gaudi’s death.
• Sedlec Ossuary: In Czech Republic, this Roman Catholic Church is beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints, housing skulls and skeletons of hundreds and thousands of people. These bones are arranged artistically and are a major tourist attraction.
• Hagia Sophia: A former Greek Orthodox basilica and an imperial mosque afterwards, it is now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Built in the Middle Ages, it is famous for its massive dome and is considered a religious architectural marvel for its age. It is an example of Byzantine architecture.
• Westminster Abbey: Visited this as a teen in England and loved the history and architecture. It is the traditional site of coronations and burials of the English monarchy. Origins of the Abbey date to 970 when Benedictine monks were said to have a community on the site. Construction continued from 970 through the 1740s in the midst of wars, plagues, coups and what-not. After WWII, parts of the Abbey had to be restored and in May 2018, a new tower was added to the Abbey.

Apart from my entries, I want to visit every single one of these amazing religious architecture and learn more on their histories. I’m still in awe of how they take centuries to complete in the midst of war and how technology is speeding up construction and restoration in some of them, like Sagrada Familia.

If you know or have been to any unique religious architecture (Islamic architecture is amazing!!), please shout them out in the comments. Who knows? I might have a part 2.

Many thanks to all the amazing bloggers whose contributions are part of this and I truly hope you travelled vicariously through their pictures and histories, like I did.

Don’t forget to read their posts and follow them too. Graphic below is pinnable. xoxo

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