Padua, Italy Italy has produced more than its share of great saints. But few have risen to the popularity of Anthony of Padua, considered to be among the greatest theologians and speakers of his age. An important disciple of Francis of Assisi in the early days of the Franciscan Order, he distinguished himself by surpassing Francis in church honors and, despite all humility, … [Read more...]
CATHEDRAL OF TROYES
Troyes, France The magnificent Troyes Cathedral is in good company with the great cathedrals of the cities of Central France, and for this it can be somewhat overlooked. It does not have a long association as a pilgrimage cathedral. Its primary relic, that of Bernard of Clairvaux, was not interred here until the late 18th century; and it is not located along the major … [Read more...]
CATHEDRAL OF WAWEL
Krakow, Poland The Cathedral of Wawel is the great national Catholic shrine of Poland and one of the most important and historic Catholic churches in Northeastern Europe. During the years of the Kingdom of Poland it was the country’s royal cathedral, with most of Poland’s kings coronated here and a large number buried here. Its most famous burial is Stanislaus the Martyr, … [Read more...]
ABBEY OF WESTMINSTER
London, England The cathedral of Westminster Abbey has long served as England’s royal church (its official designation is technically a ‘royal peculiar’), and has been an important place of pilgrimage since before the Protestant Reformation. The great majority of England’s monarchs were both coronated and buried here; among the latter being Edward the Confessor, who is … [Read more...]
CATHEDRAL OF ST. VITUS
Prague, Czech Republic Prague has one of the most colorful religious histories of any city in Europe. Evangelized by Saints Cyril and Methodius, and home to the good king and saint, Wenceslaus, it was also the site where the first major showdown took place between Catholic and Protestant Christians. The Second Defenestration of Prague kicked off the Thirty Years War, the … [Read more...]
CATHEDRAL OF FULDA
Fulda, Germany According to some historical sources, the Arian form of Christianity may have arrived in Germany as early as the days of the barbarian invasions of the Roman Empire. Catholicism, or at least the Roman Catholic Church, had little or no formal presence east of the Rhine until the arrival of Boniface in the early 8th century. Boniface, sometimes called the … [Read more...]
CATHEDRAL OF DURHAM
Durham, England Durham Cathedral is one of the most famous churches in England outside of London. It is also one of the most seen cathedrals of all time, though most people don’t realize that they have seen it. Both the interior and exterior were used for shooting scenes of Hogwart’s Castle in various Harry Potter movies. Architecturally, it is considered one of the finest, … [Read more...]
BASILICA OF ST. DENIS
Paris, France The Basilica of St. Denis is the most historically and religiously important church in Paris, though far from the most famous, thanks to Notre Dame. Originally part of an abbey complex, the basilica later became the burial site of St. Denis, the first bishop of Paris. Perhaps more importantly, it would also become the official burial site of most French … [Read more...]
BASILICA OF ST. PETER IN THE GOLDEN SKY
Pavia, Italy The Basilica of St. Peter in the Gold Sky (or Sky of Gold) is one of the great Romanesque churches of Northern Italy. Despite being dedicated to Peter the Apostle, it houses the Tomb of St. Augustine of Hippo, one of early Christianity’s greatest theologians. Interestingly, Augustine has two other full basilicas named in his honor, in Algeria and in Rome. It … [Read more...]
BASILICA OF ST. AMBROSE
Milan, Italy The Basilica of St. Ambrose in Milan is one of the oldest existing churches in Italy outside of Rome. Originally constructed as the Basilica of Martyrs in the 4th century by Ambrose, one of the four original Doctors of the Church, it served as a bastion of Catholic-Orthodox Christianity during the turbulent era following the Council of Nicaea. Ambrose also … [Read more...]
