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Across Europe, numerous cathedrals serve as monuments of faith, history, and stunning craftsmanship. Ranging from modernist creations to centuries-old sanctuaries, here are some of the most remarkable ones recommended by discerning visitors.

A Contemporary Marvel in Norway

Commonly known as the Arctic Cathedral, the Tromsøysund Kirke in northern Norway is a remarkable example of modernist design. The simple, elegant facade reflects the nearby landscape and echoes traditional Sami dwellings. Inside, guests will find what are arguably the most cozy pews one could hope to sit on. A stunning mural of glass portraying the Return of Christ may not be for everyone, but it exudes a powerful feeling of majesty. Exiting the magnificent building after an musical performance to see the aurora borealis flickering overhead is an awe-inspiring experience.

Panoramic Vistas and Artistic Legacy in Nice, France

I never understood what people find in churches. The Monastère Notre Dame de Cimiez was different.

The gardens bursting with flowers and herbs provide a spectacular vista over Nice. The cemetery on-site contains the grave of painter Henri Matisse, but it is the tiny sanctuary that truly captures the spirit of a church. While it cannot rival grander buildings, that is exactly the point. For centuries, it has unobtrusively absorbed centuries of belief. Sitting there evoked a feeling beyond mere calm or serenity; it was a deep realization of the comfort these places offer.

Domes and Rotundas in Brescia, Italy

Tucked away within a labyrinth of piazzas and winding alleys, Brescia's Baroque New Cathedral is a prime example of Italy's religious architecture, featuring stunning stonework and massive domes. Yet, the true highlight of the complex is the Old Cathedral, completed in the 1100s. This medieval rotunda, including an subterranean crypt, is brimming with historical charm and character. Together, Brescia's two main churches serve as a perfect snapshot of Italy's changing building styles.

A Concrete and Stained Glass Wonder in Germany

Below the city of Essen in the town of Neviges stands one of the planet's most breathtaking cathedrals. Maria, Königin des Friedens, also known as the Neviges Pilgrimage Church, is a modernist masterpiece built from 1966 and 1968. Uneven balconies of raw concrete and stunning coloured windows create a lofty, light-filled interior of warmth that challenges simple labels as "cold". Furthermore, the appeal of this tourist-free location is the close-by 8-mile Wuppertal Suspension Railway, an amazing feat of transport engineering.

Alpine Vistas from Lausanne Cathedral

Situated prominently above Lausanne, the Gothic cathedral commands sweeping vistas stretching from the charming old town down to the Lake Geneva and the distant Alps. Admission to the church is free, and for a modest charge, visitors can climb the spire. Aside from its impressive gothic architecture and breathtaking panoramas, this 800-year-old edifice presents a diverse schedule of no-cost concerts, exhibitions, and activities, making it a popular venue in the nation's most lively cultural centre.

An Orkney Shrine Created by Italian Prisoners of War

Seeing the Italian Chapel in Orkney is a humbling encounter with the craftsmanship and devotion of its builders. During the Second World War, at the request of the camp priest, artist Chiocchetti and his fellow prisoners transformed a pair of military huts into a place of worship. Using scraps of whatever they could find, they fashioned a beautiful space full of hope and serenity during a time of war—an inspiring place to visit many years on.

The Restless Gargoyles of Southern France

This pink sandstone cathedral in the town of Rodez towers over the skyline for kilometres around. Perched high up overlooking the Aveyron River, this huge, fortress-like medieval marvel has survived hundreds of years of history's tumult. Inside is a awe-inspiring chamber of arched roofs and towering columns, centered around a colossal pipe organ. The elaborately decorated pews and misericords are polished smooth by time. One's attention, however, is often drawn to the hypnotic leer of the scores of writhing grotesques that appear to erupt from the exterior stonework. They look less sculpted and more preserved in stone, like primeval guardians of this beautiful basilica.

Hidden History in an Oxfordshire Field

St Oswald's in this hamlet sits isolated in a meadow, reachable solely by a uneven track. Leaving your car on a adjacent verge, you walk towards a building that looks more like a farm building from a far away. Its construction is mostly from the 13th century, but inside, evidence of an earlier Saxon or early Norman church become visible. Excavations have revealed ancient Roman tiles and fragments of medieval frescoes. Box pews from the 1700s are still in place. The resulting effect is one of mysterious, beautiful, and powerful tranquility.

An Interior Canvas in Bulgaria

Arbanasi, near the historic city, is the location of one of the most magnificent Orthodox churches anyone could encounter. Externally, the Nativity Church is quite plain—a characteristic possibly designed to not attract attention during the period of Ottoman control. Its interior, in contrast, more than makes up for it. Every conceivable inch of wall and ceiling is covered in luminous Orthodox icons and biblical scenes. The effect is truly breathtaking and immersive.

Featured Recommendation: Stained Glass Masterpieces in the English Countryside

The small church in Tudeley, Kent, established in the 12th century, is architecturally rather simple. Its true glory, however, is its stained glass. All twelve were designed by the renowned artist Chagall. It started in 1963 with a commissioned piece dedicated to a family's daughter. The artist was so impressed by the church that he decided to design the other windows, a work completed in 1985. The windows feature a dazzling range of blues. Being surrounded by this sea of blue in a serene setting is a blissful sensation. Admission to this extraordinary treasure is free.