Catholic Churches

The mere sight of Cathedrals makes me want to go in and absorb the peace and serenity that it offers. Read on for some of the most famous Roman Catholic Churches of the world…

Saint Peter’s Basilica

The Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican is probably the most famous and also the grandest Roman Catholic Church in the world. It is believed that its construction was started in 324 A.D on another basilica at the same spot under the reign of Emperor Constantine. However, in the middle of the 15th century, it was decided that the church should be rebuilt.

Today, the basilica is an artwork that is composed of many valuable artistic elements. Michelangelo served as a main architect for some time and also designed the dome. After Michelangelo death, his student Giacomo della Porta continued the work and later on, Carlo Maderno became the chief architect who also designed the entrance.

Cologne Cathedral

The Cologne Catholic Church is one of the best-known architectural monuments in Germany and has also been a landmark of Cologne for centuries. This church also serves as the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Cologne and is dedicated to Saint Peter and Mary. The church was built in 1880 and till 1884 it has the distinction of being the tallest monument in the world but it lost this distinction to the Washington Monument. However, the Cologne Cathedral still holds the distinction of being the tallest Gothic structure in the world.

The construction of the Cologne Cathedral began in the 13th century and was completed 600 years later after many interruptions and delay.

Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

This prominent Basilica is located in Washington D.C and honors the Blessed Virgin Mary. This Basilica is located on the Michigan Avenue and is also the largest church in the Western Hemisphere. The construction began in 1920 and was completed in 1959 after which it was opened to the public.

The Church has been built in the Romanesque style and is designed in the Eastern Christian tradition of the Pantocrator, which means, ‘Ruler of All’.

Saint Parick’s Cathedral

This is a very large church that can seat nearly 2200 people, is built in the middle of New York’s midtown area and is visited by over 3 million people in a year. Renowned artists from France, England and Boston built the windows of this church. The great Rose Window is considered to be one of the finest works of Charles Connick who was a 20th century genius in stained window glass design.

The archbishops of New York are buried in the church in a crypt under the high alter. Galeros, that is the honorary hat of the archbishop hang from the ceilings above their tombs. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral also houses a statue of Pieta, which is three times larger than the statue of Pieta in Saint Peter’s, Rome.

Saint Mary’s Basilica

The Saint Mary’s Basilica contains of the one of the most beautiful stained glass windows in the United States. As a matter of fact, the Cathedral’s north transept window is the world’s largest stained glass window, which measures about 67 feet in length and is 24 feet wide. The church is located in Covington, Kentucky.

The church also contains two massive rose windows, which are an excellent combination of design and color and measure about 26 feet in diameter. The windows present in the lower level of the apse just behind the altar portray the five miracles that are related to the compassion of Christ for people in times of their trouble.

Notre Dame

The Notre Dame is a world famous Gothic Church that is present in the heart of Paris, France. Its construction began is 1163 and was completed in 1345, a 180 years later. A number of chapels where added to the nave during 1235-1250 and also to the apse between 1296-1330. The interiors of the Church were completely redone in the 20th century.

The tedium Mass for the liberation of Paris was celebrated at this church in August 1944 while in November 1970, the Requiem Mass for General de Gaulle was held in the church too. Pope John Paul II also celebrated Mass in front of the Cathedral in May 1980.