Sacred Cathedrals Around the World
9 remarkable cathedrals revered by believers and admired by travelers.
This guide lists 9 sacred sites in the world's cathedrals , connected to 1 spiritual tradition: Christianity. 6 of them belong to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Each guide covers history, what to see, dress code, opening hours and the best time to visit.
Sacred sites in the world's cathedrals
Canterbury Cathedral
Visit Canterbury Cathedral, mother church of the Anglican Communion and site of Thomas Becket's martyrdom, a pilgrimage goal since Chaucer's day.
Cardboard Cathedral, Christchurch
Visit the Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch, a transitional Anglican cathedral of paper tubes by Shigeru Ban, symbol of the city's recovery after 2011.
Chartres Cathedral
Visit Chartres Cathedral, a High Gothic Marian pilgrimage church famed for its medieval stained glass, its labyrinth and the Veil of the Virgin.
Cologne Cathedral
Visit Cologne Cathedral, the soaring Gothic church on the Rhine built to house the Shrine of the Three Kings, a pilgrimage goal since the Middle Ages.
Notre-Dame de Paris
Visit Notre-Dame de Paris, the Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, reopened after the 2019 fire with its rose windows and Crown of Thorns relic.
Saint Basil's Cathedral, Moscow
Learn about Saint Basil's Cathedral on Red Square, Moscow, with its colorful onion domes, built for Ivan the Terrible and named for a holy fool.
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
Reach Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, the goal of the Camino pilgrimage, to embrace the apostle's statue and see the giant botafumeiro censer swing.
St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York
Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in New York, the neo Gothic seat of the Catholic archdiocese, open daily for Mass, prayer and visits.
Washington National Cathedral
Visit Washington National Cathedral, the Gothic Episcopal cathedral on Mount St. Alban with stained glass, gargoyles and services open to all.