There was a time centuries ago when the Church was among the most powerful and influential institutions in the world. It’s not like we’re saying that it’s not as important anymore, but let’s just say that it’s become considerably more humble along with the changes in history. As proof for that, all over the globe stand scattered some of the mightiest church buildings you could lay your eyes on. Whether they were built during the Renaissance or the period when Gothic structures were at their peak, their imposing stature cannot be denied. Join us and discover a little bit about the Top 10 Tallest Churches In The World.
#10 Strasbourg Cathedral, Strasbourg, France
Height: 142.0 m (466 ft)
The Strasbourg Cathedral’s construction was completed in 1439, though it took it approximately two hundred years before it could become the tallest structure in the world. This goal was achieved in 1647 and until 1874, its mighty and impressive height towered over everyone else as the globe’s tallest building.
#9 St. Nicholas’ Church, Hamburg, Germany
Height: 147.3 m (483 ft)
Another competitor on this list that was, at some point, the tallest building in the world, St. Nicholas’ Church reached its final form in 1874. Since the time of its completion and official inauguration, it’s been the leader among tall buildings. Its reign, however, only lasted two years before someone snatched it from under its “nose.” The church was greatly damaged during World War II because of the aired bombing of the Allied Forces.
#8 Old St Paul’s Cathedral, London, England
Height: 150.0 m (493 ft)
If you’re about to book a trip to London and planning to visit this cathedral, then perhaps you’ll be disappointed to hear that it no longer exists. The beautiful structure was really old, its completion finalizing in the year 1240. Unfortunately, it was completely burned to the ground and destroyed during the Great Fire of London from 1666.
#7 Rouen Cathedral, Rouen, France
Height: 151.0 m (495 ft)
The appearance of the Rouen Cathedral might actually make you think of the famed Eiffel Tower, mostly due to the bizarre upper-level design of the tower that stretches far into the sky. Like many of its other “sisters,” the cathedral was, at some point, the tallest building on Earth. Its reign lasted from its completion in 1876 to 1880. The good part is that it currently remains France’s tallest church.
#6 St. Mary’s Church, Stralsund, Germany
Height: 151.0 m (495 ft)
This church dates back to 1478 and it’s representative of the Gothic brick style that was prevalent in northern Germany at that time. A large Lutheran church displaying a colorful contrast, it went through several difficult moments in its existence, with several of its components and parts getting destroyed and, eventually, rebuilt.
#5 Beauvais Cathedral, Beauvais, France
Height: 153.0 m (502 ft)
The Beauvais Cathedral is an imposing display of French Gothic architecture. Its construction started sometime during the 13th century and it consists of a choir, a transept, and seven polygonal chapels. The Roman Catholic church is incomplete because of the collapse of its tower, though it’s thoroughly active, especially when you consider that it’s the seat of the Bishop of Beauvais.
#4 Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany
Height: 157.4 m (516 ft)
If it weren’t for the builders’ desire to dethrone the Cologne Cathedral from its position as the tallest building in the world, we might not have gotten the current winner. This Roman Catholic cathedral is a World Heritage site, Germany’s biggest attraction, the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne, and the tallest twin-spired church in the world. A lot of titles for this one, aren’t there?
#3 Our Lady of Peace Basilica, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
Height: 158.0 m (518 ft)
This basilica manages to stand out by being the only non-European church from this list, as well as by being the most recently-completed entry. Finished in 1989, it’s easily the largest church in Africa and, as the numbers have it, one of the top three most height-impressive church buildings in the world.
#2 Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln, England
Height: 159.7 m (524 ft)
The foundation for the construction of this cathedral was first laid roughly in 1088, with its further development continuing throughout the Medieval Era. It was the tallest building in the world for almost 300 years, throughout the 13th and 16th centuries. It suffered a great loss when its spire collapsed in 1549, especially given the fact that it was never rebuilt afterward.
#1 Ulm Minster, Ulm, Germany
Height: 161.5 m (530 ft)
Ulm Minster is the most recently-completed church on this list, aside from being the tallest in the world. There are 768 steps that reach an impressive height and the great scale of its spires are a direct result of the architects’ desire to make the building outrank the height of the Cologne Cathedral. All hail competitive people!
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