If you love architecture, today’s list is for you: 11 Biggest Gothic Cathedrals in The World. Gothic style of architecture was developed in France. The 12th century was the period of Romanesque style with its unique spiked buildings, murals, dominance of darker colors and verticality. Catholic cathedrals are the biggest and most impressive examples of the Gothic style in architecture. Biggest religious buildings in the world are built in this style. When you come near some of those, you can’t stay aloof.
When you look at our list of 10 most religious cities in America, you’ll see that almost every city has a cathedral in Gothic style, where thousands of faithful people come to pray and find shelter. One of the main characteristics of the Gothic style is verticality and light. Today, we’ve ranked biggest Gothic Cathedrals for you, and here are the results.
11. St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney
Central Sydney is the location of the cathedral church of Anglican Diocese of Sydney, the St. Andrew’s Cathedral. The finest example of Gothic Revival architecture, the cathedral stands 68 feet tall, and showcase the Gothic style at its finest: verticality, spiked decorations, and stained windows. This cathedral was pronounced a National Trust of Australia heritage site.
10. St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hanoi
Built in 1886, this architectural wonder is the biggest one in Vietnam, built by French colonial government. Big towers contain massive bells which announce the celebrations and religious holidays in Hanoi. The 103 feet tall cathedral provides shelter and inner peace for millions of Catholics in the country. This is the oldest church in Hanoi by far.
9. St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kolkata, India
Built in 1847, huge St. Paul’s Cathedral in Kolkata stands tallest among other attractions in the area. Big stained glass windows and white surface with spiked decorations are impressive to look at. This church is 247 feet long, and 175 feet tall, with big flagstaff on the top of the tower. Catholic holidays and important dates are announced by massive bell inside.
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8. Sacred Heart Cathedral, Guangzhou, China
Standing 173 feet tall, the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Guangzhou took 25 years to complete from the start in 1861. The main reason for this is granite construction and manufacturing by human hand at the most. This monumental building is the biggest Catholic sanctuary built in Gothic style in the entire China. People who were building it newer saw a western cathedral before, so this makes the Sacred Heart Cathedral astonishing achievement.
7. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Moscow, Russia
Central Administrative County is the location of the only two Catholic churches in Moscow. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary is one of those; 213 feet tall cathedral built in octagonal neo-gothic construction. This cathedral was built in 1911, and it serves as a Catholic cathedral of Roman Archdiocese of Moscow.
6. Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York
Two World Wars interrupted the construction of the impressive cathedral in New York; this is the reason for style changes in the construction period. The cathedral is not finished yet, and if this ever happens, it will have the title of the biggest neo-gothic cathedral in the whole world. Right now cathedral covers 121,000 square feet, and its highest point reaches 232 feet.
5. Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto, Canada
This cathedral is the oldest in Ontario; the parish was established in 1797, and the cathedral was built in three years, starting from 1850. During first twenty years, this was the biggest construction in the whole city by far. 305 feet tall tower of this cathedral is the tallest one in Canada.
4. Cathedral of La Plata, Argentina
The Catedral of La Plata in Argentina is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception; this is one of the largest Roman Catholic sanctuaries in Latin America. The neo-gothic style edifice is accompanied by City Hall and Plaza Moreno in the central square. The inspiration for the architectural style of the building is found among European cathedrals of Amiens and Cologne. The 367 feet tall towers put this cathedral among the tallest in Americas.
3. Chartres, Notre Dame, France
Chartres is among the oldest cathedrals in the world. Construction started from 1163 and finished in 1345. The great example of French Gothic architecture contains all the fundamentals of the design: the sculptures, large stained glass windows, and height to be impressed with. Around 400 feet long, 42 feet wide, and 370 feet tall this cathedral is vast. Important historic events happened here, making the Chartres Cathedral the most popular religious attraction in France.
2. Cologne Cathedral, Germany
The cathedral in Northern Europe is a monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture, alluring around 20,000 people to visit and admire it daily. Containing many treasures, decorated with impressive features and huge stained glass windows, this church looks astonishing. The verticality of Gothic architecture is showcased the best here, as the cathedral towers are 515 feet tall.
1. Seville Cathedral, Spain
Second largest cathedral in the world and the biggest Gothic sanctuary, the Seville Cathedral, is one of the biggest attractions in Spain. Pronounced as UNESCO’s world heritage site in 1987, this Gothic monument of Catholic religion reaches 344 feet in height. Enormous cathedral covers the area of 123784 square feet. This impressive size puts Seville Cathedral in the first place on our list of 11 Biggest Gothic Cathedrals in the World.
