Get ready to pick your jaw up off the floor, because these aren't your average neighborhood houses of worship. From a jaw-dropping Norwegian stave church that looks straight out of a fantasy novel to a Colombian sanctuary perched impossibly on a cliff, these 90 spectacular images show that churches have been redefining #ArchitectureGoals long before it was cool. We're talking about soaring Gothic arches that'll make your neck hurt, psychedelic Mexican facades that put modern art museums to shame, and minimalist modern designs that look like they were beamed down from heaven itself.
Whether carved into mountainsides, floating in lavender fields, or rising from misty Scottish lochs, these architectural masterpieces prove that when it comes to places of worship, humans have always gone big or gone home. So prepare for some serious wanderlust as we take you on a global tour of the most stunning, bizarre, and absolutely magnificent churches that'll make you say "Holy wow!"
#41 Milton Abbey, Dorset, England
The original abbey church burned in 1309. Rebuilding began soon after from the east end, but the church was never completed beyond the crossing. It reached its present form around 1400. The small porch was added by the Victorians. The church, a masterpiece of Decorated and early Perpendicular architecture, now serves as the chapel of the Milton Abbey School.
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#44 Santa Maria Della Spina Church, Pisa
Built in 1230 and moved to its present location in 1871. It housed a thorn supposedly from Jesus' crown of thorns, brought back by a crusader.
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10points
#46 Makiki Christian Church In Honolulu, Hawaii. Built In 1932 By Hego Fuchino To Resemble A Japanese Castle
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#47 Church Of The Intercession Of The Holy Mother Of God. Plyshivets, Poltava Region, Ukraine
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#50 Somerton Church (St. Michael & All Angels), Somerton, England, United Kingdom
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#52 Stapleton Church (Holy Trinity), Bristol
Built 1854-57 by John Norton in Gothic Revival (neo-Decorated) style in the manner of Augustus Pugin, with additions 1892, of Pennant Stone with Bath Stone decoration.
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#54 Saint Mary The Virgin Church, Dover, Kent
Rebuilt in 1843 Saint Mary's stands on the site of an old Saxon Church. The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
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9points
#55 The Italianate North Church Rebuilt In 1854 Located In Historic Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
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#58 Church Of Saint-André In Saint-André-De-Bâgé (Ain, France). Ix-Xii Century
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9points
