Our journey begins with one of the world's most recognizable and controversial churches - the Sagrada Família in Barcelona. This extraordinary work of art by Antoni Gaudí, though still unfinished, already attracts millions of tourists a year. The Sagrada Família is the quintessential modernist interpretation of the Gothic, where organic forms meet geometric precision. This church, with its soaring towers and facades full of symbolic sculptures, is a true architectural marvel. The basilica's interior, with its tree-like columns and stained glass windows casting colorful light, creates the atmosphere of a mystical forest. It's worth noting that despite its popularity, the Sagrada Família offers a relatively short tour time (about 15-30 minutes), which can be both an advantage for those who appreciate quick visits and a disadvantage for those who like to delve into the details.

Moving on to a more classic example of the Gothic, we move to the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Strasbourg. This majestic temple, with its distinctive single tower rising 142 meters high, was for centuries the tallest building in Christianity. Strasbourg Cathedral impresses with its openwork façade, intricate rosettes and rich sculptures. Inside, the astronomical clock from the 14th century is a true marvel of technology and art. Unlike the Sagrada Família, admission to Strasbourg Cathedral is free, making it more accessible to all visitors. In addition, the short waiting time in line is an added bonus.

We can't leave out Cologne Cathedral, one of the most important examples of the Gothic style in Germany. This massive building, with two distinctive towers 157 meters high, is a true masterpiece of medieval engineering. Cologne Cathedral is famous for the relics of the Three Kings, which attract pilgrims from all over the world. The interior of the cathedral, with its high vaulted ceilings and beautiful stained glass windows, creates an atmosphere conducive to contemplation and prayer. However, as some visitors have noted, the cathedral can appear somewhat neglected, and its surroundings sometimes seem chaotic.

These three Gothic gems, each unique in its own way, represent different aspects of this fascinating architectural style. The Sagrada Família offers a modern interpretation of the Gothic, the Strasbourg Cathedral impresses with its classical beauty, and the Cologne Cathedral impresses with its monumentality. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, but all of them are an integral part of European cultural heritage and must-see points on the map of any lover of sacred architecture.

Our journey through Europe's most beautiful churches would not be complete without visiting the gems of the Renaissance and Baroque. We begin with the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, also known as Il Duomo. This majestic building, with its distinctive dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, is a symbol of Renaissance architecture and engineering. The cathedral's facade, covered with colorful marble panels, is a true work of art. The interior, though relatively austere compared to the exterior decoration, impresses with its spaciousness and the frescoes adorning the dome. It is worth noting that admission to the cathedral itself is free, which is a definite advantage. However, in order to fully appreciate the beauty of the place, you should consider buying a combined ticket (about EUR 30), which allows you to enter the dome, the bell tower and the museum.

Moving to the Baroque era, we can't miss St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. It is the largest Christian church in the world and the center of Catholicism. The basilica impresses with its monumentality and richness of decoration. The dome, designed by Michelangelo, is a masterpiece of architecture, and the interior of the basilica hides countless art treasures, including Michelangelo's famous Pieta. Admission to the basilica is free, but be prepared for long lines for security checks. It's also worth remembering that access to some parts of the basilica, such as the Vatican grottoes, may be restricted.

Another Baroque treasure is the Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière in Lyon. This imposing temple, towering over the city, is an example of neo-Baroque architecture from the late 19th century. The basilica's richly decorated interior, with its mosaics and marble ornaments, makes a great impression on visitors. Another highlight is the observation deck, which offers a panoramic view of Lyon. It is worth noting that the basilica offers free tours, and additionally hosts evening illumination shows that depict the history of the temple's construction.

We can't leave out the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, which is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, or Pope. This ancient basilica, although rebuilt many times, has retained its majesty and importance. The interior of the basilica impresses with its rich decorations, including mosaics and frescoes. Of note are the 12th-century cloisters, which are a true gem of Romanesque architecture. The basilica is free to visit, which is a definite advantage.

The last item in this section is St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, also known as Stephansdom. This Gothic-Romanesque temple is a symbol of Vienna and one of Austria's most important monuments. The cathedral's distinctive roof, covered with colorful tiles, is recognized around the world. The interior of the cathedral impresses with its spaciousness and rich architectural details. Of note is the 15th century pulpit, which is a true Gothic masterpiece. The cathedral offers various sightseeing options, including climbing the tower, which offers a panoramic view of Vienna.

Each of these churches represents a different aspect of European religious architecture, from the Renaissance elegance of Il Duomo to the Baroque splendor of St. Peter's Basilica to the Gothic majesty of Stephansdom. All of them are not only awe-inspiring in their beauty, but also tell a fascinating story of the development of art and architecture in Europe.

In the final part of our journey through Europe's most beautiful churches, we will visit three unique churches, each representing a different style and era in the history of sacred architecture.

We begin with St. Mary's Basilica of the Assumption in Gdansk, which is the largest brick church in the world. This Gothic temple, with its distinctive tower towering over the city skyline, is a true masterpiece of medieval architecture. The interior of the basilica impresses with its spaciousness and rich furnishings, including the famous astronomical clock from the 15th century. It is worth noting the possibility to climb the tower, which offers a beautiful view of Gdansk and the Gdansk Bay. The basilica is available to visit for a small fee, allowing you to get a close look at its history and architecture. One of the perks is the opportunity to attend organ concerts, which are regularly held in the basilica.

We then move on to France, to Chartres Cathedral, which is one of the best-preserved examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. The cathedral is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows, most of which date back to the 13th century and create an extraordinary play of light inside the church. A unique feature is the labyrinth on the floor of the nave, which served as a symbolic pilgrim's path. The cathedral offers free tours, which is a definite advantage. In addition, during the summer season there are evening light shows that present the history of the cathedral on its facade.

At the end of our trip we visit the Pilgrimage Church of Wies, a true gem of Rococo architecture. Located in the heart of the Bavarian countryside, this small church exemplifies the extraordinary craftsmanship and artistry of 18th-century artists. The interior of the church impresses with its wealth of decorations, frescoes and sculptures, creating an impression of heavenly luminosity. The Wies Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers free tours, allowing visitors to admire its beauty in peace. It is noteworthy that despite its small size, the church attracts thousands of pilgrims and art lovers from all over the world.

Comparing the three buildings, we can see the variety of styles and eras they represent. St. Mary's Basilica in Gdansk impresses with its monumentality and the richness of its Gothic brick architecture. Chartres Cathedral impresses with the lightness of its construction and the mastery of medieval stained glass artists. The church in Wies, on the other hand, charms with its intimate atmosphere and richness of Rococo decorations.

Each of these churches has its own unique features and assets. St. Mary's Basilica offers a panoramic view of the city, Chartres Cathedral impresses with the play of light in its stained glass windows, and the Wies Church allows contemplation surrounded by Baroque splendor. All three sites are relatively easily accessible to visitors, offering free or inexpensive admission.

To sum up our journey through Europe's most beautiful churches, it's worth noting how much architectural and cultural richness is hidden in these sacred buildings. From monumental cathedrals to intimate churches, each of the buildings we visited tells a unique story and is a testament to the artistry of their creators. Regardless of personal religious beliefs, these masterpieces of sacred architecture are an integral part of Europe's cultural heritage and are worth a visit for any lover of art and history.