Situated atop Ludgate Hill, close to the River Thames, the cathedral seems to dominate the skyline with its impressive dome. It is said that St. Paul’s Cathedral has the second largest dome in the world and I have to confess that it was actually the first thing that caught my attention when I saw the cathedral. I still remember how tired I was that evening when I saw the dome for the first time. I was barely able to walk when I suddenly saw the silhouette of the cathedral, somewhere at the top of the hill. I stayed still for a few moments and I simply stared at that architectural masterpiece.

Its exterior is remarkable and it made me understand why the cathedral is considered one of the most famous and recognizable sights in London. In addition, St. Paul’s Cathedral played an important role in the history of London. From state funerals to royal weddings, the cathedral turned out to be the right place for all these important events. In case you didn’t know this is the place where Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer got married.

The interior of the cathedral is equally gorgeous and shrouded in a special vibe which gave me a feeling of deep inner peace. The floor and the walls of the cathedral portray important symbols and religious scenes. For example, the dome depicts eight scenes from St. Paul’s life. Besides admiring the beautifully painted interior, you can also go up the dome and explore the Whispering Gallery, the Stone Gallery and the Golden Gallery. You can also go down in the crypt and see the memorials of some historical British figures such as Sir Christopher Wren and Admiral Lord Nelson. A unique activity is taking a step back in time and enjoying a 270° film experience in Oculus, that brings 1400 years of history to life. This space uses projection technology to render fascinating images from the history of the cathedral.

You have to pay an entrance fee of £18 to visit the interior of St. Paul’s Cathedral, but it is worth every penny. As a tip, the ticket is cheaper if you buy it online. There are also a lot of events and moments of prayer, when the entrance is free of charge. All things considered, make sure you add this amazing cathedral to your trip list.

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To sum up, the glorious cathedrals and churches are the places where we can find ourselves and we can feel closer to God. Beyond their profound significance, some cathedrals and churches are real examples of architectural masterpieces. In my opinion it is a real delight to admire all these places which are reminiscent of the divine creation.

As a passionate traveler, I must say that I saw a lot of beautiful churches and cathedrals, but only some of them really impressed me and convinced me to always keep them in my mind. If I had to think about my most recent travel experience, I would choose 3 magnificent cathedrals as my favorites. On this note, I will talk about three Notre-Dame Cathedrals: Notre-Dame de Paris, Notre-Dame de Strasbourg and Notre-Dame de Luxembourg.

1.Notre-Dame de Paris is the most famous Gothic cathedral of the Middle Ages. Built on the ruins of two earlier churches, Notre-Dame Cathedral has a beautiful exterior design with two massive towers and embellished with interesting carvings, royal figures, large stained glass windows and flying buttresses. The exterior seems to be perfectly symmetric due to its lovely two quadrilateral towers. This famous attraction in Paris is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world.

2.Also built in a Gothic style, Notre-Dame de Strasbourg is another example of French architectural masterpiece. Considered the emblem of Strasbourg, this cathedral will charm you with its imposing allure. Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of the few Gothic churches that have only one tower. This tower is 142 meters high and this is the reason why the cathedral was considered the highest building in the world between 1647- 1874. Nowadays it is the sixth highest church in the world. Built on the place where a Roman temple used to be, Notre-Dame Cathedral has an impressive exterior decorated with marvelous spires, red sandstone, stained glass windows and exquisite carvings and statues. From all these lovely cathedrals, Notre-Dame de Strasbourg is my favorite.

3.Originally a Jesuit church, Notre-Dame de Luxembourg is now a lovely Gothic cathedral. Also named the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin, Notre-Dame de Luxembourg is actually the only cathedral in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. A lot of Renaissance and Baroque elements and ornaments were used for this meticulous construction. Even if it seems to be simple at first sight, the exterior of this cathedral displays a blend of modern and classic sculptures and elements, embellished with lovely stained glass windows. Notre-Dame de Luxembourg is a really unique cathedral because each of its three spires displays a different architectural style.

To sum up, in case you visit France and Luxembourg make sure you add these lovely cathedrals on your list.

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