European cathedrals

[Wiltshire Warrior Dragon]

Saga Holidays have been doing on-line research in relation to appreciation of European Cathedrals and drawn up two lists.

The first is for "Europe's Top 10 most captivating cathedrals".  There are three in the UK - Durham at no 1, with York at 5 and Gloucester at 9.  Galway is at no 7.  The second list is for "Ten lesser known but beautiful cathedrals in Europe."  None from the UK or Ireland on this list.

Here is the link to the Saga article: Europe’s Most Captivating Cathedrals| Saga Holidays

I read about the Saga article in an online piece from the Daily Mirror.  I suppose I should be grateful to the Mirror for drawing this interesting study to my attention, but the sloppiness of their journalism and the arrogant London-centricity of it left me irritated. 

Their headline runs "UK city is home to Europe's most beautiful cathedral - not London."  Well, no, why would you expect it to be in London, unless you think beauty and civilisation end immediately outside the M25?  They then concentrate exclusively on the first of Saga's lists, though I cannot see how 'most captivating' is the same thing as 'most beautiful'.

The article begins, "From Notre Dame to Westminster Abbey, there are plenty of stunning cathedrals across Europe..."  Er, Westminster Abbey?  It isn't a cathedral!  Technically, it is a 'peculier' (yes, correct spelling!)  That is to say, it is a church outside the jurisdiction of the diocesan authorities and bishop of the diocese within which it is located.  The monarch oversees Westminster Abbey, so it is, more specifically, a 'royal peculier'.  Masham church in the North Riding was, at one time, a peculier - hence the name of the famous Theakston beer.

Enjoy the Saga lists.  Good stuff for friendly arguments over a pint...of Old Peculier, no doubt!

[Futtocks]

Beauvais Cathedral really is an experience, the first time you walk in.

Cologne, on the other hand, wouldn't look out of place in a Tim Burton Batman movie. And I mean that in a good way.

Edited January 13 by Futtocks

[Futtocks]

Here's a snap of Durham Cathedral and Castle that I took through the train window on New Year's Day 2026, as I travelled back down to London.

[Wiltshire Warrior Dragon]

3 minutes ago, Futtocks said:

Here's a snap of Durham Cathedral and Castle that I took through the train window on New Year's Day 2026, as I travelled back down to London.

That's a great photo, Futtocks; thank you for sharing it on here.

It reminds me perfectly why I have been known to say that the one train journey in England that everybody should try and do in their lifetime is to come into Durham.  As your picture shows perfectly, you have the roofscape of the city below you, but you are pretty much on a level with the castle and cathedral.

I once took a colleague to Durham Cathedral which he had never visited.  The massive enormity of it left him awestruck as he stood at the west end and looked up the main aisle to the quire and altar.  He said, "It just makes you want to say 'Jesus Christ!'"  I reassured him, "That's sort of the idea!"

A few years ago, I achieved a long held ambition when I sang evensong in Durham, Cathedral with a visiting choir that was short of a tenor or two.  I have been lucky enough to sing in choirs in nine English cathedrals; their variety in so many ways - including accoustically - is a joy to behold!

Incidentally, I was given the book "Evensong; notes from the choir" by Timothy E Popple for Christmas.  It is an accurate and informative, but witty and not too serious, read on the subject of one of the great elements of English cultural heritage.

[Futtocks]

36 minutes ago, Wiltshire Warrior Dragon said:

That's a great photo, Futtocks; thank you for sharing it on here.

Camera: one of the cheapest smartphones on the market

Method: held phone up to the moderately clean window of a Cross-Country service while leaving the station.

Editing: Cropped to make it more oblong.

Just goes to show that 1. modern phone cameras are genuinely amazing at any level and 2. taking photos of Durham is essentially div-proof.

Bill Bryson, who went on to become rector of Durham University, writes about seeing the city for the first time and actually feeling anger. He was annoyed that, despite having lived in the UK for several years by then, nobody had told him how amazing Durham is.

[Gerrumonside ref]

I think on my travels my favourite classical cathedral is Siena in Italy for its ‘zebra’ esque supporting beams interior and amazing facade.

In terms of the modern, it’s hard not to be blown away by the cascading colourful light within the Sagrada Família in Barcelona and the genius of Gaudi’s ‘otherworldly’ beam structure design.

Slightly off topic, but the huge mosaics inside the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood in St Petersburg, Russia are also an incredible sight.

 

[N2022]

1 hour ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

I think on my travels my favourite classical cathedral is Siena in Italy for its ‘zebra’ esque supporting beams interior and amazing facade.

In terms of the modern, it’s hard not to be blown away by the cascading colourful light within the Sagrada Família in Barcelona and the genius of Gaudi’s ‘otherworldly’ beam structure design.

Slightly off topic, but the huge mosaics inside the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood in St Petersburg, Russia are also an incredible sight.

 

 

2 hours ago, Futtocks said:

Here's a snap of Durham Cathedral and Castle that I took through the train window on New Year's Day 2026, as I travelled back down to London.

Nice shot. Ely Cathedral - I believe it's known as The Ship of the Fens - is another one that's impressive when viewed from afar. With such low-lying land it's visible from miles off.

Couldn't tell you a favourite interior, though I've visited many across Europe over the years and often found them to be very beautiful.

[OriginalMrC]

Surprised not to see Coventry Cathedral on the list. Technically two cathedrals, one in ruins from WW2, its a remarkable building and well worth a visit. 

[Futtocks]

There's also the one at Trier. The oldest bishopric North of the Alps and a capital of the Roman Empire during the Tetrarchy.

https://www.mosel-inside.de/en/middle-mosel/trier/138-st-peters-cathedral.html 

Edited January 13 by Futtocks

[Gerrumonside ref]

9 hours ago, OriginalMrC said:

Surprised not to see Coventry Cathedral on the list. Technically two cathedrals, one in ruins from WW2, its a remarkable building and well worth a visit. 

Similar can be found in Berlin from memory.

[gingerjon]

9 hours ago, OriginalMrC said:

Surprised not to see Coventry Cathedral on the list.

Check where Saga do holidays and I think the list will start to make more sense.

[JonM]

On 13/01/2026 at 18:59, Futtocks said:

despite having lived in the UK for several years by then, nobody had told him how amazing Durham is.

In fairness, it is a UNESCO world heritage site. Same with Liverpool waterfront before it lost its listing - most British people seem unaware how beautiful it was/ is.

Lincoln cathedral is another fantastic one that is often overlooked. 

Having lived in the area for many years, Ely always (to me) gives off vibes of enforcing the medieval temporal power of the church on the local peasantry. It's firmly in the 'your tithes are building me, the bishop, a palace that can be defended against allcomers' school of architecture.

[gingerjon]

Canterbury is stunning and worth multiple trips.

Mont St Michel is an abbey not a cathedral but just an incredible experience.

And Hallgrimskirkja is just a parish church - in Lutheran style, the actual cathedral is barely noticeable - but stunning both inside and out in completely unexpected ways.

[OriginalMrC]

Aparently not a cathedral but the church in Ulm Germany once had the tallest spire in the world before being overtaken by the Segrada Familia. Its well worth a trip if you are ever in Southern Germany.

[JohnM]

In my view and experience,

1. Lincoln

2. Cologne

3. Trier

4. Ely

5. Albi.

All in great locations, each with their own merits.

Edit: Can I also put in a word for the often overlooked Southwell Minster? (whilst you are there, visit the nearby British Horological Institute museum. ) 

Edited January 20 by JohnM

[Martyn Sadler]

I'm slightly surprised that no one has mentioned Wells Cathedral.

A stunningly beautiful building in a fine setting.

[Ullman]

On 13/01/2026 at 17:33, Futtocks said:

Beauvais Cathedral really is an experience, the first time you walk in.

Cologne, on the other hand, wouldn't look out of place in a Tim Burton Batman movie. And I mean that in a good way.

I've only ever seen Cologne Cathedral in the dark when changing trains. I know what you mean.

[Ullman]

On 15/01/2026 at 09:31, gingerjon said:

Canterbury is stunning and worth multiple trips.

Mont St Michel is an abbey not a cathedral but just an incredible experience.

And Hallgrimskirkja is just a parish church - in Lutheran style, the actual cathedral is barely noticeable - but stunning both inside and out in completely unexpected ways.

Hallgrimskirkja looks beautiful lit up at night, something about the sweep of the lines.

If we're taking "captivating", the tiny Torshavn Cathedral in the Faroes is a little gem.

[Wiltshire Warrior Dragon]

2 hours ago, Martyn Sadler said:

I'm slightly surprised that no one has mentioned Wells Cathedral.

A stunningly beautiful building in a fine setting.

A good call, Martyn.

I used to work part-time for the Diocese of Bath & Wells, typically working mostly from home but in the office one day a week.  In those days, the diocesan offices were on the cathedral green.  I never had a better view out of the office window in all my career!

Interestingly, at the other end of Wells city centre is St Cuthbert's Church, Somerset's biggest parish church and mistaken by some visitors for the cathedral.  The ceiling has been painted vividly, to show how it may have looked when first built - a bit controversial, but very dramatic, whether you like it or not!

Edited January 20 by Wiltshire Warrior Dragon
typo

[JonM]

I'm firmly in the unbeliever camp, and visits to the Vatican, many, many churches and cathedrals, Hindu and Buddhist temples, Ancient Greek and Roman temples, the Baháʼí World Centre in Haifa etc. have left me largely feeling bemused, even if I can admire the beauty and dedication and craftmanship.

On the other hand, the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm in Orkney, and the story behind it, moved me to tears.

[JohnM]

On 20/01/2026 at 19:09, Ullman said:

I've only ever seen Cologne Cathedral in the dark when changing trains. I know what you mean.

Floodlit at midnight, it's magnificent.

Of course, no cathedral vist is complete without the organist playing a Bach toccata and fugue.

Edited January 21 by JohnM

[The Future is League]

On 21/01/2026 at 02:09, Ullman said:

I've only ever seen Cologne Cathedral in the dark when changing trains. I know what you mean.

When I was in Germany in the army some of us made a special trip to see it, and it sent shivers down our spines to think that more or less Cologne was bomed flat in the 2nd world war, and this Cathedral was more or less untouched. 

[tim2]

On 19/01/2026 at 23:16, JohnM said:

In my view and experience,

1. Lincoln

2. Cologne

3. Trier

4. Ely

5. Albi.

All in great locations, each with their own merits.

Edit: Can I also put in a word for the often overlooked Southwell Minster? (whilst you are there, visit the nearby British Horological Institute museum. ) 

Lincoln is fabulous. That, with York and Durham, are favourites of mine.

They told us at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, which will probably be seen in the future the greatest religious building ever built, isn't a cathedral. "It's just a church!" Barcelona Cathedral is small and dull. 

[JohnM]

2 hours ago, The Future is League said:

When I was in Germany in the army some of us made a special trip to see it, and it sent shivers down our spines to think that more or less Cologne was bomed flat in the 2nd world war, and this Cathedral was more or less untouched. 

 

Edited January 22 by JohnM

[OriginalMrC]

Coventry Cathdral was destroyed by ww2 bombing but the spire and outer wall survived. It has stayed that way ever since with the new cathedral built alongside it.