Architecture and religion: the most beautiful churches in the world -

Whether gothic, baroque, or modern in design, these structures are impressively imposing and richly detailed, captivating specialists and drawing in countless tourists every year. Click to see more.

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Hallgrímskirkja - Reykjavík - Iceland - At 244 ft (74.5 m) high, Hallgrímskirkja church is the tallest in Iceland. The design was inspired by the lava from a volcano.

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Las Lajas Sanctuary - Ipiales - Colombia - This is a destination for pilgrims from all over the world who come to see the church's majestic grey and white gothic architecture.

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The Basilica of the National Vow – Quito - Ecuador - Construction on the church in the capital of Ecuador began in 1883 and was finished in 1924. With its neo-gothic style, the building is one of the principal tourists attractions in Quito.

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Saint Basil's Cathedral – Moscow - Russia - Saint Basil's Cathedral was built in the 16th century and it took more than ten years for construction to be completed. It's one of the symbols of the Russian capital. 

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The Church of the Transfiguration - Kizhi - Russia - The Church of the Transfiguration is around 120 ft (37 m) high, making it one of the tallest in the world.

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Notre-Dame – Paris - France - The Cathedral of Notre-Dame is one of the oldest gothic cathedrals in the whole of France. It was built in the Middle Ages and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

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St Paul's Cathedral – London - England - St Paul's Cathedral is one of the main tourist attractions in London. It was built in the same location of the first church ever built in England, in 604 AD.

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Florence Cathedral – Florence - Italy - It's the fifth biggest church in Europe and adds to the already beautiful Italian city of Florence.

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Saint Peter's Basilica – Rome - Italy - The largest and most important Roman Catholic church in the world, Saint Peter's Basilica is also visited by many Christians of other denominations from all over the world.

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Wieskirche - Baviera - Germany -

At the foot of the Bavarian alps, Wieskirche is a UNESCO world heritage site. The inside boasts an opulent rococo style architecture which enthralls visitors.

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St. Michael of the Needle Chapel - Le Puy-en-Velay - France -

Dedicated to the archangel St Michael, this Catholic chapel in France was built out of stone on a mountain 272 ft (83 m) high.

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Cologne Cathedral - Cologne- Germany -

The cathedral of Cologne holds relics purportedly connected to the Three Wise Men. It is also one of the biggest in the world, with construction taking almost 600 years to complete.

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St Patrick's Cathedral – New York - United States - With neo-gothic towers and its richly decorated interior, it is the biggest Catholic church in the United States, and receives thousands of visitors every day.

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Milan Cathedral – Milan - Italy - At 515 ft (157 m) long and 357 ft (109 m) wide, the gothic church was designed by the geniuses Leonardo Da Vinci and Donato Bramante.

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Sagrada Família – Barcelona - Spain - This architectural project was designed by Antoni Gaudi, and still hasn't been finished. The cathedral is one of the most visited tourist spots in Spain.

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St Mark's Basilica - Venice - Italy -

St Mark's Basilica is the most famous of all the churches in Venice, and is one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in world.

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São Francisco Church - Salvador - Brazil - Decorated lavishly in gold, this church in the Bahian capital is a fantastic example of baroque architecture in Brazil which has stood the test of time.

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Notre-Dame Basilica – Montreal - Canada - This religious temple has a stunning grey neo-gothic facade with two symmetrical towers. The building is a must-see for any visit to Canada.

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Seville Cathedral - Seville- Spain - It's the largest church in Spain and the third largest in the world, after St Peter's Basilica in Rome and the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady Aparecida, in Aparecida, Brazil.

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Borgund stavekirke - Borgund - Norway -

Made out of wood, the church was probably built in the 12th century, and its structure hasn't been changed since.

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Salisbury Cathedral- Salisbury - England - This Anglican cathedral is one of the best examples of early English architecture. At 404 ft (123 m) high, it took 38 years to complete.

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Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral - Mexico - It's one of the oldest Roman Catholic cathedrals on the continent, and it took more than 200 years for construction to be completed.

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Lima Cathedral - Lima - Peru -

Its quadrangular design is in the neoclassical style of the 17th century. The Lima Cathedral is a UNESCO world heritage site.

See also: Distinctive architectural styles throughout history

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