Some of Europe’s most noted and visited landmarks are churches, temples and mosques. Here are several of the most beautiful and well-known religious site in Europe.
Saint Basil’s Cathedral – Located on the famed Red Square in Moscow, the capital of Russia this beautiful and extremely popular temple dates back to the mid-16th century. It was officially consecrated on the 12th of July, 1561 and recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1990. The cathedral along with the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg is the most visited Russian landmark. The most distinguishable features of the structure are its nine domes and two spires, all of which are painted in diverse colourful patterns.
Saint Basil’s Cathedral – Located on the famed Red Square in Moscow, the capital of Russia this beautiful and extremely popular temple dates back to the mid-16th century. It was officially consecrated on the 12th of July, 1561 and recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1990. The cathedral along with the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg is the most visited Russian landmark. The most distinguishable features of the structure are its nine domes and two spires, all of which are painted in diverse colourful patterns.
Sagrada Familia – The most recognisable Spanish cathedral is located in the Catalan city of Barcelona. Officially known as the Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, this amazing building was designed by prominent Spanish and Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. The construction of the basilica commenced in 1882 and is expected to end during the late 2020s. Although incomplete, the church is listed as a World Heritage Site and is the most visited landmark in Spain.
Baitul Futuh – This religious building is the largest mosque in Western Europe. Located in London, the temple was complete in 2003 at a cost of approximately £5.5 million. The mosque covers an area of 5.2 acres and has a total of four halls, the largest of which is the Great Hall with a capacity of 4.500. The remaining three halls have a combined capacity of 10.000 people. The structure has two minarets, the tallest of which is 35 metres tall, while the shorter is 25.5 metres high. Since its opening Baitul Futuh has become one of London’s most popular landmarks, especially amongst the Muslim tourists that visit the English capital.
Baitul Futuh – This religious building is the largest mosque in Western Europe. Located in London, the temple was complete in 2003 at a cost of approximately £5.5 million. The mosque covers an area of 5.2 acres and has a total of four halls, the largest of which is the Great Hall with a capacity of 4.500. The remaining three halls have a combined capacity of 10.000 people. The structure has two minarets, the tallest of which is 35 metres tall, while the shorter is 25.5 metres high. Since its opening Baitul Futuh has become one of London’s most popular landmarks, especially amongst the Muslim tourists that visit the English capital.
Das Buddhistische Haus – Das Buddhistische Haus is a Theravada Buddhist Temple and is considered to be the largest and oldest Theravada Buddhist complex in Europe. The structure is situated in the German capital, Berlin and is declared as a National Heritage Site by the local authorities. The temple’s main building was built during the 1920s and was designed by architect Max Meyer. The construction of the edifice was commissioned by Paul Dahlke, a renowned German physician who had went on numerous travels to Ceylon prior to the events of World War I. During his time in Ceylon, Dahlke had become a Buddhist and therefore wanted to introduce to religion to his native country.
Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore – More commonly known as the Florence Cathedral, this extremely beautiful church was completed and consecrated in 1436. The structure was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio and Filippo Brunelleschi in the Gothic-Renaissance style. The cathedral’s dome is the main feature of the building and is the largest brick dome to even be built. The edifice is located on the world famous Piazza del Duomo (both landmarks are recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites) and along with the Uffizi Gallery is the most visited landmark of Florence.
Dohány Street Synagogue – Also known as The Great Synagogue, this historic building is located in Erzsébetváros, the 7th district of the Hungarian capital, Budapest. The construction of the synagogue started in 1854 and ended five years later in 1859, it was in that same year that the building was consecrated. Presently it is the largest working synagogue in Europe and one of the largest in the world with a capacity of 3.000 people. The structure is considered to be one of the finest examples of Moorish Revival architecture and was designed by German-born Austrian architect Ludwig Förster. Today the Dohány Street Synagogue is one of Budapest’s most famous and visited tourist attractions.
Suleymaniye Mosque – Built during the late 1990s, Suleymaniye Mosque covers an area of 8.000 square metres and has a capacity of 3.000 people. The edifice is built in the Ottoman-Turkish architectural style and serves mainly the large local Turkish community. The structure has only one minaret and is one of the most visited landmarks within the London Borough of Hackney. The presence of the mosque has made the borough the prefer destination for most Turkish immigrates that move to the English capital, a tendency that has increased the demand for removal services in Hackney.
Kiev Pechersk Lavra – Situated in Kiev, Ukraine, this structure is a historic Orthodox Christian monastery that dates back to the 11th century. Since its foundation the Lavra has always been a paramount centre of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Along with Saint Sophia Cathedral (another well-known European religious edifice), it is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In 2007 the Kiev Pechersk Lavra was voted as one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine. The monastery is currently one of the country’s most famous monuments and attracts both local and foreign visitors by the number. The Lavra is also the location of the following buildings and structure:
The Great Lavra Belltower
Gate Church of the Trinity
The All Saints Church
The Church of the Saviour at Berestov
The Kiev Pechersk Lavra Cavern System
The Fortification Walls
Kiev Pechersk Lavra – Situated in Kiev, Ukraine, this structure is a historic Orthodox Christian monastery that dates back to the 11th century. Since its foundation the Lavra has always been a paramount centre of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Along with Saint Sophia Cathedral (another well-known European religious edifice), it is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In 2007 the Kiev Pechersk Lavra was voted as one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine. The monastery is currently one of the country’s most famous monuments and attracts both local and foreign visitors by the number. The Lavra is also the location of the following buildings and structure:
The Great Lavra Belltower
Gate Church of the Trinity
The All Saints Church
The Church of the Saviour at Berestov
The Kiev Pechersk Lavra Cavern System
The Fortification Walls
Hallgrímskirkja – This breathtaking Lutheran parish church is situated in Reykjavik, Iceland. It was founded in 1945 and consecrated in 1986. Hallgrímskirkja is the tallest church in the country with a height of 73 metres. The pipe organ is perhaps the most noted interior feature of the edifice. At the moment it is one of Iceland’s most renowned and well-known landmarks and tends to attract travelers from the four corners of the world.
Pagode de Vincennes – This Buddhist temple is housed in the former Cameroon building for the 1931 Colonial Exposition and is located in Bois de Vincennes in Paris, France. The edifice was designed by Louis-Hippolyte Boileau. The most famed feature of the temple is the Grand Buddha statue that is situated within the pagoda. Nearby the temple lies a library which contains Buddhist texts and manuscripts. The library is housed in the former Togo building from the aforementioned exposition.
Pagode de Vincennes – This Buddhist temple is housed in the former Cameroon building for the 1931 Colonial Exposition and is located in Bois de Vincennes in Paris, France. The edifice was designed by Louis-Hippolyte Boileau. The most famed feature of the temple is the Grand Buddha statue that is situated within the pagoda. Nearby the temple lies a library which contains Buddhist texts and manuscripts. The library is housed in the former Togo building from the aforementioned exposition.