TOP 7 Most Beautiful Cathedrals in Central and Eastern Europe

Europe is filled with beautiful churches and cathedrals, whose rich history offers plenty to see and do. It is believed that there are currently more than 600 cathedrals in Europe. As the difference between a ‘church’ and a ‘cathedral’ can be almost imperceptible, this is only a rough estimate.

Many of the most famous churches in Europe are active cathedrals. From Gothic churches to Romanesque basilicas, these magnificent cathedrals are a testament to the faith of those who came before us. Perhaps they will inspire your next European itinerary.

Croatia, Split. St Domnius Cathedral

The oldest cathedral in Europe, St Dominic's Cathedral in Split, Croatia, has elements dating back to 295 AD, making it the oldest cathedral in the world still in use. Before it became a cathedral, this building was the mausoleum of Emperor Diocletian. The cathedral was organised here in the VII century, when the tabernacle with the remains of Diocletian was removed and the relics of St Domnius or Duo were placed in its place. The mausoleum was consecrated and converted into a Christian church by the Archbishop of Split. Since then, it has remained virtually unchanged, except for the construction of a bell tower in the twelfth century and the addition of choirs in the interior in the thirteenth century. Initially, when the mausoleum was turned into a church, the church was dedicated to the Mother of God and was called the Cathedral of St Mary the Virgin. Above the columns of the church is still a frieze depicting scenes of Eros hunting, supporting medallions with portraits of Diocletian and his wife Priscilla.

Ukraine, Kyiv. St Nicholas Cathedral 

One of the youngest cathedrals in Europe, Kyiv's St Nicholas Church survived the First and Second World Wars, the Communists, and two fires. Construction of the church began in 1899. It was designed by the famous Vladyslav Horodetskyi and is the only neo-Gothic building in Kyiv. The architect added a rose window, a tower above the mediastinum, and richer facade decor to the project, which brought the facade of the Kyiv church closer to the Votivkirche in Vienna. He also used some elements of Notre Dame Cathedral, including griffins, snakes, and other monsters. It was the first time that such a new material as reinforced concrete was used in construction. After ten years of construction, the building had the shape of an elongated Gregorian cross, was 55 metres high and was designed for 2,000 people. It was solemnly consecrated on 6 December 1909.

Czech Republic, Prague. St Vitus Cathedral

The amazing Gothic St Vitus Cathedral is a national shrine of the Czech Republic, a pearl of Czech and Western European architecture that was built over 600 years. It was conceived as a family crypt and a place for the coronation of Czech kings and is a repository of coronation regalia and a tomb of the kings of Bohemia. In 925, the first rotunda church was built by St Wenceslas, who is buried in St Vitus Cathedral. The full name of the cathedral is the Cathedral of St Vitus, Wenceslas and Wojtek. Construction officially began in November 1344 under the patronage of King Charles IV of Bohemia and Archbishop Ernest of Pardubice. In 1419, the cathedral suffered from the Hussite wars, which is why many icons and sculptures have not survived to this day. Construction was stopped many times not only because of wars but also because of lack of funds, and was completed in 1929.

Poland, Krakow. St Mary's Basilica

The history of the Marian Church is long and complicated. Its architecture and interior decoration retain elements of various styles: Baroque, Art Nouveau, and Gothic. The first church on this site was wooden. Later, in 1221-1222, a new Romanesque church was built here, similar in size to the present one. But it was destroyed by the Tatars in 1242. Later, the foundation of the old church was partially used in 1290, when the construction of a new Gothic church began. Today it stands at an angle to the Market Square, as the old church was built before the introduction of the city plan. This church houses one of the largest Gothic altars of medieval Europe, which was created over 12 years. The cost of this masterpiece was equal to the annual budget of medieval Krakow. One of the church's towers served as the watchtower of Krakow, from which the opening and closing of the city gates were announced daily. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, when the city was being redeveloped, the church cemetery was closed. Thus, St Mary's Square was created.

Latvia, Riga. Riga Cathedral

An architectural complex, a cultural monument, a component of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Latvia, the Riga Dome Cathedral is one of the symbols of the city, the country's business card. Construction of the Riga Cathedral and Monastery began shortly after Riga was founded on 25 July 1211. It marked the beginning of the Romanesque-Gothic style. The main church of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church was planned as the residence of the city's founder, Bishop Albert. It is the largest medieval church in the Baltic countries and the architectural dominant of Riga's historical buildings. In 1884, a unique instrument was installed in the Dome Cathedral - an organ made by the famous organ company E.F. Walcker. It is 25 metres high and consists of 6,768 pipes of various diameters.

Vilnius, Lithuania. Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus 

The Cathedral-Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Ladislaus is the main Roman Catholic Church in Vilnius, located on the Cathedral Square in the Old Town at the foot of the Castle Hill. The church was founded by the Grand Duke of Lithuania Mindaugas, King of Lithuania from 1223, after his baptism in 1251. When Mindovg returned to paganism after 1261, the cathedral was destroyed, and a pagan temple was built from the remains. With the baptism of Lithuania in 1387, King Jagiello of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, arriving with a large retinue from Krakow to Vilna, destroyed the pagan temple and founded the Christian church of St Stanisław on its remains.

Budapest, Hungary. St Stephen's Basilica

St.Stephen's (Istvan's) Basilica is the largest church in Budapest and even in Hungary. Its height reaches 96 metres and the diameter of the dome is 22 metres, the total area of the basilica is 4730 metres. The church was founded on 14 August 1851 in the small Hungarian town of Pest. This happened before the unification of Hungarian towns into the majestic Budapest. Now it stands on the central square of the city, named after St Istvan.