Impressive Churches

[naomi24]

Talking on a previous thread about visiting churches, I wondered which particularly impress you? While I fully appreciate the history of the ancient and often greatly admire the architecture, this one, Hallgrímskirkja, the parish church in Reykjavík, Iceland, founded in 1945, and considered by some to be ugly, is for me quite breathtaking. Its interior is utter simplicity.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallgr%C3%ADmskirkja#/media/File:Reykjavik%27s-church.jpg

Given a choice between this and the ostentation of St Peter’s in Rome or the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, I would choose this every time. Never liked fuss. ;o)

Your thoughts and pictures welcome.

[Jackdaw33]

"...considered by some to be ugly" is an understatement. It's hideous.

[naomi24]

It is allegedly designed to represent a glacier. I think it's quite beautiful!

[Barmaid]

For very different reasons the Italian Chapel on Orkney is amazing.

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/the-italian-chapel-p253741

[vetuste_ennemi]

Now if you want a real cathedral there's this:

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQtLwq31IjA/V26ONqnO7GI/AAAAAAAAaJA/vbuJdHk8q2kcgZ-osajRrJ9zvkQmtNuugCLcB/s1600/cathedral-3.jpg

Seville was very hot (30+) the day we visited this cathedral. Inside you felt maybe exactly what you are supposed to feel - serenity and calm. And it was very cool, almost to the point of being cold.

[naomi24]

This one is so packed full of intricate carvings the busyness of it all gives me a headache - seriously.

https://www.rosslynchapel.com/

[Mamyalynne]

Three marvellous examples, the Reykjavik interior is stunning too.

That Italian Church is beautiful and what is there to say about the Cathedral but stunning.

I am not widely travelled but wherever we've been I love to visit old or interesting places of Worship.

[Cloverjo]

Might be a bit of an obvious choice, but I love the Familia Sagrada in Barcelona. The colours were just beautiful. The pics on its website don't do it justice at all.

[rockyracoon]

I concur with Cloverjo. The SF was absolutley breathtaking, the way the light came through the stained glass was so beautiful.

[jno]

It's very appropriate to a rocky country like Iceland but it would look weird in, say, Somerset.

I like the Sagrada Familia but since they sped up work in the 90s I think the exterior sculpting has become coarser.

The very early Christian churches of Ravenna, with their mosaics (so early that Jesus is clean shaven) are among my favourites,

[Khandro]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iona_Abbey
Here, you feel God breathing down your neck.

[Tilly2]

I like tree cathedrals.

[Mamyalynne]

Mikey mentioned this Church earlier.

http://northleach.org/the-fifteenth-century-northleach-church/

Has an unusual double squint.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/camperdown/7817103504


I have stayed in a cottage twice that almost sat in that very Churchyard and wandered round often.

[jno]

Yes, Whipsnade is nice, Tilly

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whipsnade_Tree_Cathedral

[Tilly2]

It is, Jno.

[pastafreak]

Maybe not "impressive", but St Just in Roseland, Cornwall is one of the most peaceful and atmospheric places I've ever been in. It's situated by a creek and has stunning terraced, sub tropical gardens.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g528884-d188801-i162588340-St_Just_in_Roseland_Church-St_Just_in_Roseland_Roseland_Peninsula_Truro_D.html

[atalanta]

The one which by far the least impresses me is that of St Nicholas in Prague. The ornamentation and decoration are grossly excessive. When I saw it, I was appalled to think that poor peasants had probably been forced to contribute to its ghastly embellishments, when all that money could have been spent on improving the lives of the poorest and the education of their children.

[emmie]

i am not a religious person but can appreciate beautiful churches, cathedrals, and this is quite stunning, simple but elegant.

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

For colour, and perhaps will appeal to the irreligious, I recommend the International Church of Cannabis, in Colorado. Only in America!

Photos here: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/international-church-of-cannabis

[Mamyalynne]

Certainly different and gives you a warm glow Hazi.

[albaqwerty]

good grief Hazi, surely that's enough to induce a migraine?!!

I like the Iceland cathedral.

I was stunned when we visited The Italian Chapel.