~ Top 10 Extraordinary Churches around the World ~

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Top 10 Extraordinary Churches around the World


1. St. Basils Cathedral, Russia



One of Moscow's most inspiring places is the St. Basils Cathedral, impressing with both its appearance and bold architecture. The whole building is dyed in various colours and patterns, which, together with the interesting cast of the domes, give a great deal of originality and charm. The cathedral has a total of eight separate chapels, each topped by a colourful dome, while a majestic golden-topped tower rises high in the sky, glistening in the sun. Built in 1561 on the famous Red Square, St. Basils Cathedral marks the beginning of a heretofore unseen tradition to use bright decorations in church designs, which eventually becomes an icon of Russian urban decor.

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2. Hallgrimskirkja Church, Iceland



The Hallgrimskirkja Church is situated in the very heart of the Icelandic capital - Reykjavik, and commemorates Hallgrimur Petursson - a prominent poet and clergyman in the history of the country. The edifice possesses an exceptional shape that resembles a geyser - a natural phenomenon that occurs in many locations in Iceland, and looks as if it has emerged from a legend. Towering nearly 75m above the ground, the church is the highest monument in these lands and serves as a symbol of the capital.

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3. Cathedral of Brasilia, Brazil



The Cathedral of Brasilia is a peak of modernism in ecclesiastical architecture. The snow-white structure in the form of hyperboloid portrays two hands, outstretched to the heavens and undoubtedly stands among the most impressive sights in all of South America. Concrete columns intertwined with glass lining in shades of blue, brown and white make the construction of one of world's top modernist buildings, attracting hundreds of tourists daily.

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4. Notre Dame du Haut, France



Notre Dame du Haut is yet another extravagant sacral destination that demonstrates how cold and ordinary concrete turns in a soft and flowing form of art. This masterpiece of the prominent architect Le Corbusier has a modest interior with a unique configuration of windows, shedding an interesting play of light. The tilted rooftop creates a dramatic waterfall during rains - a spectacular view, favourite to locals and visitors alike.

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5. Borgund Stave Church, Norway



Borgund Stave Church is a medieval place of worship, dating from the 12th century. It is the best preserved construction of its type and is a key monument in the Norwegian architectural heritage. The edifice has managed to sustain the inexorable traces of time without much restoration and has several sacral runes, inscribed on its walls that reflect the cultural riches of the ancient Vikings.

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6. The Crystal Cathedral, CA, USA



The largest glass building in the world, the Crystal Cathedral is designed in the true Hollywood trends with flare and grandiose. Technology and modern facilities have left little space for traditional ecclesiastical details. Constructed with more than ten thousand glass rectangles, it has a capacity of 3,000 people and safe-keeps one of the biggest pipe-organs in the world. Every Sunday, the cathedral hosts a famed US religious service - the Hour of Power, which is transmitted live on TV all over the country.

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7. Metropolitan Cathedral, Brazil



The Metropolitan Cathedral is built in the Brazilian capital back in 1970 and is consecrated to the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro. Resembling an inverted cup with a glass roof, open to the skies, the house of prayer is the formal seat of the Rio Archbishop. Beautiful stained-glass windows decorate the 20,000-capacity space within the religious structure, while the grand pyramid stature dominates the centre of the city.

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8. Las Lajas Cathedral, Colombia



The lands under Las Lajas have long been a house of worship, as its foundation lies on the ruins of a 19th century temple. Its construction is associated with a beautiful legend that tells of a Native American woman and her mute daughter. The girl spoke for the first time at the sight of the area and asked her mother to visit the nearby cave. There, they discovered a mysterious image of Virgin Mary and young Jesus. Subsequent investigations could not reveal the origin or type of substance, used to paint the picture. The only thing research could claim with certainty is that the stone is deeply "saturated" with the painting. Today, the Las Lajas stands in the magnificent picturesque nature and attracts many tourists from around the globe.

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9. St. Joseph Church, IL, USA



At first glance, the contemporary and innovative look can shed some doubt on the spiritual trait of the construction, yet thirteen gold-plated domes, topped with massive crosses reveal the religious purpose of St. Joseph. The interior is an exuberant alliance of Modern Cossack Baroque Style and traditional Byzantine iconostasis that create a one of a kind atmosphere and appeal.

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10. Temppeliaukion kirkko, Finland



Also known as the Rock Church, Temppeliaukion is almost entirely beneath the surface of the ground, carved deep in the granite, with only its beautiful dome that shines in gold and copper to the eyes of the beholders. The temple is built by the famous brothers Suomalainen on the site of an old bomb shelter and, due to its unusual emplacement, has amazing acoustics. The sound of the organ, echoing in the interior is simply magical.