Europe

Casa Professa Palermo In the neighborhood of Capo in Palermo, the Church of the Immaculate is a fascinating baroque jewel by the Society of Jesus at its most glorious period in the city. This stunning church is revealed to the viewer, curious and adventurous. Also known as Casa Professa Palermo, this is one of Palermo’s most breathtaking churches. The Jesuits first built a church on this site between 1564 and 1578.Continue Reading

Construction of the magnificent Gothic the Barcelona Cathedral commenced on 1 May 1298, on the site of a Romanesque temple. The work was carried out in three stages over 150 years. As is true for many religious buildings, construction had to move at a slow pace. The main façade was raised at the end of the 19th century, while the 90-meter high cimborio went up in 1913.Continue Reading

The Beauvais Cathedral St Pierre Cathedral in Beauvais, is a rare example of a Carolingian Cathedral, with surprising and original proportions. The 13th century Gothic chancel, like a glass cage standing proudly 48.5m high, is a sublime example of Gothic style. Various disasters which happened during construction, including the collapse of the 153 m high spire in the 16th century, have left the Beauvais Cathedral without a nave.Continue Reading

Besides its historical and artistic value, Catedral de Toledo has a theological meaning as a reference for the pastoral life of the diocese priests and loyal laypersons. Cathedrals have been a place where our occidental and European culture has been forged and where the beginnings of our universities were created. They furthered social reform and were art workshops.Continue Reading

Notre Dame de Reims Cathedral, the Gothic art masterpiece where the kings of France were crowned, was one of the first monuments registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year it welcomes one million visitors. See other Catholic sites in France. History and architecture Notre Dame de Reims Cathedral was the site of the coronation of French kings.Continue Reading

St Colman’s Cathedral is an exquisite gem of neo-Gothic architecture by the architects Pugin and Ashlin. It took 47 years to build, starting in 1868. In 1916 a Carillon of 42 bells was installed. The largest bell is 200 feet above the ground and weighs 3.6 tons. The Cathedral organ, by Telford and Telford, contains 2,468 pipes. The Cathedral is a regular venue for Recitals by Choirs from all parts of the world.Continue Reading

Basilica of St Denis Thanks to the popular veneration of Saint Denis, the Basilica of St Denis very soon linked its destiny to that of the royalty. The Basilica of St Denis became the preferred necropolis of the French monarchs, and each new dynasty continued this tradition in order to support its legitimacy.Continue Reading

Saint Michel d’Aiguilhe Aiguilhe means “needle”, and like many lofty Christian sacred spaces, the chapel atop it is dedicated to the Archangel Michael, likely because of his propensity to appear on mountain tops and other high places. The small town of Aiguilhe nestles around the foot of Saint Michael rock. It proudly protects the entry to the village with an intricate web of alleyways.Continue Reading

Situated in the Urola valley, the sanctuary is built around the tower house of the Loyola family. The building dates from the 14th and 15th centuries and is divided into the lower half built in stone, which recalls its past as a fortress, and the upper half built in brick that represents its evolution into a palatial house.Continue Reading

Basilica of San Domenico Basilica of San Domenico is one of the richest churches in Bologna in terms of history and art. San Domenico from Guzman, the Spanish founder of the Order of Preachers (also known as the Dominican Order or the Dominicans), arrived in Bologna around 1200 and took possession of the area where now his church may be found.Continue Reading

Paray le Monial It was at Paray le Monial that Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690), revealing to her his Heart burning with love for man. A young girl from the region, Margaret Mary entered the monastery of the Visitation in Paray le Monial in 1671. See other Catholic sites in France. She experienced numerous apparitions which were confirmed by her confessor, a Jesuit, Saint Claude La Colombière.Continue Reading