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Throughout the continent, numerous churches stand as testaments to belief, heritage, and breathtaking craftsmanship. Ranging from contemporary creations to ancient sanctuaries, here are a selection of the most remarkable ones recommended by discerning visitors.

A Contemporary Marvel in the Norwegian Arctic

Often called the Ishavskatedralen, the Tromsøysund Kirke in Tromsø is a remarkable example of 20th-century architecture. Its clean, graceful facade reflects the nearby scenery and evokes traditional Sami dwellings. Within, visitors will find possibly the most cozy church benches one could ever sit on. One breathtaking glass mosaic depicting the Return of Christ may not appeal to everyone, but it radiates a powerful sense of grandeur. Leaving this impressive structure after an musical performance to see the northern lights dancing overhead is an awe-inspiring experience.

Serene Views and Artistic Legacy in the French Riviera

I never understood what visitors seek in churches. This monastery in Cimiez changed that.

The gardens bursting with flowers and herbs offer a magnificent panorama over Nice. The cemetery there holds the grave of painter Henri Matisse, but it is the small chapel that truly embodies the spirit of a church. While it cannot rival more ornate buildings, that is precisely its charm. It has unobtrusively soaked up centuries of belief. Being there produced a sensation beyond mere calm or serenity; it was a profound understanding of the comfort such spaces can provide.

Domes and Rotundas in Northern Italy

Tucked away within a maze of squares and narrow streets, Brescia's 17th-century New Cathedral is a classic illustration of Italian religious art, boasting stunning marble and imposing domes. However, the true highlight of the site is the Duomo Vecchio, finished in the 12th century. This medieval rotunda, with an underground vault, is overflowing with history and character. Together, Brescia's two main churches serve as a microcosm of Italy's architectural evolution.

A Concrete and Stained Glass Masterpiece in Germany

Below Essen in the town of Neviges stands one of the planet's most individual and striking religious buildings. Maria, Königin des Friedens, or Mariendom, is a modernist masterpiece constructed between 1966 and 1968. Uneven balconies of raw concrete and stunning coloured windows form a soaring, light-filled space of welcome that challenges easy labels as "cold". Furthermore, the allure of this less-visited destination is the nearby 13-kilometer Wuppertaler Schwebebahn, an amazing feat of transport engineering.

Alpine Vistas from Lausanne Cathedral

Perched high overlooking the city, the Gothic cathedral commands sweeping vistas stretching from the charming historic centre all the way to the lake and the far-off Alpine peaks. Admission to the cathedral is complimentary, and for a modest charge, visitors can climb the bell tower. Aside from its remarkable medieval structure and breathtaking panoramas, this 12th-century building presents a varied schedule of free concerts, exhibitions, and activities, making it a key cultural hub in Switzerland's most lively cultural centre.

A Chapel of Peace Built by WWII Detainees

Seeing the Italian Chapel in Orkney is a profoundly moving encounter with the skill and devotion of its creators. During the 1940s, at the request of the chaplain, artist Domenico Chiocchetti and his comrades converted a pair of military huts into a chapel. Using scraps of whatever they could find, they created a beautiful space full of love and peace during a global conflict—an uplifting place to see many years on.

Writhing Stone Figures of Rodez, France

This pink sandstone cathedral of Notre-Dame in the town of Rodez dominates the horizon for miles around. Perched high up above the River Aveyron, this immense, fortress-like Gothic wonder has survived centuries of history's tumult. Inside is a awe-inspiring space of arched roofs and towering pillars, centered around a colossal organ. Its elaborately decorated seats and ledges are worn smooth by time. One's attention, though, is often drawn to the hypnotic stare of the hundreds of writhing gargoyles that appear to erupt from the outside stonework. They look less sculpted and more preserved in stone, like ancient protectors of this beautiful basilica.

Mysterious Beauty in an Oxfordshire Field

St Oswald's in Widford stands isolated in a meadow, accessible only by a uneven footpath. Leaving your car on a adjacent verge, you walk to a building that looks more like a barn from a far away. The building is primarily from the 1200s, but inside, evidence of an earlier Saxon or early Norman structure become visible. Archaeological digs have uncovered ancient Roman tiles and partially uncovered medieval frescoes. Box pews from the 18th century remain in place. The resulting effect is one of haunting, beautiful, and potent stillness.

An Interior Canvas in Arbanasi, Bulgaria

The village, close to Veliko Tarnovo, is the location of one of the most visually overwhelming churches one could encounter. From the outside, the Nativity Church is quite plain—a feature perhaps intended to not attract attention during the period of Ottoman control. The inside, in contrast, more than makes up for it. Virtually every surface is covered in luminous religious icons and narrative paintings. The result is utterly overwhelming and all-encompassing.

Winning Tip: Stained Glass Masterpieces in the English Countryside

All Saints Church in Tudeley, Kent, established in the 12th century, is architecturally quite ordinary. Its remarkable feature, however, is its windows. All twelve were designed by the renowned painter Chagall. It started in 1963 with a memorial window in memory of a local couple's daughter. The artist was so taken with the site that he decided to create the other panes, a work finished in 1985. The windows feature a dazzling range of blues. Being surrounded by this sea of blue in a serene environment is a profoundly calming sensation. Admission to this extraordinary place is gratis.