Cathedrals serve as places of worship in a relentless pursuit of the divine.
However, these 24 cathedrals also challenge the boundaries between heaven and earth. 🧵
1. St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican City)
One of the largest and most renowned churches in the world, it features a magnificent Renaissance design, Michelangelo's iconic dome, and houses priceless works of art, including the Pietà.
2. Saint Basil’s Cathedral (Moscow, Russia)
Known for its colorful onion domes and intricate patterns, it looks like a fairytale structure.
3. Sagrada Familia (Barcelona, Spain)
Designed by Antoni Gaudí, its unique architectural style features intricate sculptures and stunning stained-glass windows.
4. Amiens Cathedral (Amiens, France)
An exemplary Gothic cathedral, it is renowned for its immense size, stunning sculptures, and intricately designed facades, and was built to house the head of John the Baptist.
5. Milan Cathedral (Milan, Italy)
One of the largest Gothic cathedrals, it boasts over 3,400 statues, 135 gargoyles, and stunning stained-glass windows.
6. St. Paul’s Cathedral (London, England)
Its vast dome and Baroque facade have dominated the London skyline since 1697.
7. St. Vitus Cathedral (Prague, Czech Republic)
Features a 102-meter-high spire and an interior adorned with stained glass windows and fine mosaics.
8. Chartres Cathedral (Chartres, France)
A well-preserved Gothic masterpiece with elaborate facades and large stained glass windows.
9. Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence, Italy)
Known for its green, pink, and white marble facade and the massive red-tiled dome.
10. Saint Sophia’s Cathedral (Kiev, Ukraine)
Renowned for its white walls, green and gold cupolas, and Byzantine-style frescoes and mosaics.
11. St. Patrick’s Cathedral (New York City, USA)
A Neo-Gothic structure with elegant spires and a stunning stained glass rose window amidst Manhattan's skyscrapers.
12. Cologne Cathedral (Cologne, Germany)
With twin spires reaching 157 meters, it has the largest church facade in the world and impressive Gothic architecture.
13. Sainte Chapelle (Paris, France)
Famous for its vast stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes.
14. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Sofia, Bulgaria)
Features Neo-Byzantine architecture and a gold-plated dome, honoring Russian soldiers.
15. Catedral Basílica Del Pilar (Zaragoza, Spain)
Built in a Baroque style with attractive cupolas and a central dome, particularly stunning at night.
16. Zipaquira Salt Cathedral (Zipaquira, Colombia)
Carved within a salt mine, featuring finely sculpted icons and representations of Jesus' life.
17. Saint John’s Co-Cathedral (Valletta, Malta)
Its plain exterior hides a lavish Baroque interior with gold decorations and marble tombstones.
18. Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem, Israel)
Revered as the site of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, this ancient church combines various architectural styles and holds immense religious significance for Christians worldwide.
19. Basílica Catedral de Lima, Peru
20. San Agustin Church (Manila, Philippines)
The oldest stone church in the Philippines, it features a beautifully preserved Baroque style and a richly decorated interior with intricate trompe-l'œil murals.
21. San Marco Basilica (Venice, Italy)
Showcases Italo-Byzantine architecture with an ornate Gothic roofline and a gold-decked interior filled with mosaics.
22. Washington National Cathedral (Washington, D.C., USA)
An imposing example of neo-Gothic architecture, it features beautiful stained glass windows, intricate carvings, and serves as a significant national house of prayer and reflection.
23. Vank Cathedral (Isfahan, Iran)
Known for its unique combination of Armenian and Persian architectural elements, with stunning frescoes and intricate tile work.
24. Seville Cathedral (Seville, Spain)
One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world, its main altar, known as the Retablo Mayor, is particularly stunning, featuring a series of gold-covered wood carvings that depict scenes from the life of Christ.
Germany hides some of the world’s most jaw-dropping towns and villages.
These 20 will leave you in awe and wondering how they’ve stayed off your radar until now. 🧵
1. Bacharach
Aside from its wine, Bacharach is home to the Werner Chapel, a Gothic ruin with a mysterious past tied to a medieval blood libel that sparked pilgrimages to the site for centuries.
2. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Many don’t know that this town inspired scenes in Disney’s Pinocchio and is also home to the Medieval Crime Museum, showcasing centuries-old instruments of punishment.
"The arts incarnate the creativity of a free people." - John F. Kennedy
Since the birth of the United States, presidents have played an influential role in shaping the nation's identity, including its appreciation for the arts and culture. 🧵
George Washington, the nation's first president, recognized that the fledgling United States needed to cultivate a distinct cultural identity to match its political independence.
Though not an artist himself, he supported the creation of a national capital that would symbolize the grandeur of the new republic.
Washington laid the cornerstone for the U.S. Capitol in 1793, envisioning a city that would embody artistic and cultural values reflective of a strong, unified nation.
His leadership established the foundational belief that the arts were essential in nation-building, with cities like Washington, D.C., designed to awe and inspire.
𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗝𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁
Thomas Jefferson, a true lover of the arts, architecture, and literature, perhaps best exemplifies a presidential commitment to cultural enrichment.
He was a firm believer that a well-rounded education, steeped in the humanities, was critical to the success of the republic.
His influence is best seen in the architecture of his home, Monticello, and the University of Virginia, both of which were designed with classical European influences.
In the heart of Naples, a small Masonic-inspired baroque chapel hides an astonishing secret.
Its magnificent masterpieces will make you forget Michelangelo and Bernini. 🧵
An inscription at the Sansevero chapel’s side door invites visitors to enter with reverence, honoring the noble family and contemplating the rich history and artistry within before continuing on their journey.
It all started around 1590, when an innocent man, while being led to prison, saw a garden wall collapse, revealing an image of the Madonna. He vowed to offer her a silver lamp if proven innocent—and he was.
After his release, the image of the Madonna became a place of pilgrimage, with many miracles attributed to it. People began flocking to the site for prayer and healing.
Giovan Francesco di Sangro, Duke of Torremaggiore, was gravely ill and prayed to the Madonna for a cure. After recovering, he built a small chapel on the spot where the Madonna had appeared.
Giovan's son, Alessandro di Sangro, later expanded the chapel, turning it into a grand mausoleum for the family. This is the Sansevero Chapel we know today.