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Cathedrals

A cathedral is the home church of a bishop. "Cathedral" is a functional rather than an architectural term and derives from the bishop's cathedra, or seat, that is located there. Our list of cathedrals includes Catholic, Orthodox and Episcopalian cathedrals that are true cathedrals (the seats of bishops) as well as some former cathedrals still commonly called by that name. See our Church Glossary for definitions of terms used to describe cathedral architecture.

Below is an illustrated index of the 159 Cathedrals profiled on Sacred Destinations so far. For photo credits, please see corresponding articles.



Featured Cathedrals

  • Aachen Cathedral
    Aachen, Germany
    Commissioned by Charlemagne in 786 AD, Aachen's cathedral is the oldest in Northern Europe and contains several holy relics.
  • Akdamar Church
    Eastern Anatolia, Turkey
    The Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island is a ruined Armenian cathedral dating from 921 AD. Beautifully situated on Lake Van, the church is famed for its fascinating medieval sculptures.
  • Autun Cathedral
    Autun, France
    Dating from the early 12th century with later Gothic additions, the Cathédrale St-Lazare is a pilgrimage church (for relics of Lazarus) famed for its splendid sculptures by the Romanesque sculptor Gislebertus.

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