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St Peter's Baldachin
In the early years of his pontificate, Pope Urban VIII commissioned what is now called St Peter’s Baldachin (Baldacchino di San Pietro) over the saint’s grave. The project was designed by Bernini and turned out to be so enormous that the Pantheon’s beams had to be melted down to provide the massive amount of bronze needed. The Romans weren’t too happy with the damage done to their beloved Pantheon, and the project was thus on the receiving end of all sorts of mockery. A popular pun was an allusion to the Pope’s family name Barberini: "Quod non fecerunt Barberi, fecerunt Barberini"—a saying that roughly translates to "what even the barbarians didn’t dare to do, the Barberini did."
Located under the dome of Michelangelo where the nave and transept meet, the canopy is as high as a nine-story building. It is directly over the altar, which in turn lies over the supposed grave of St Peter, and is held up by four corkscrew columns that form a helix—an idea conjured up by then-24-year-old master sculptor Bernini when he saw the twisted columns of the old St Peter’s Basilica. The work of art turned out to be so expensive that the project devoured 10 percent of the Papacy’s annual revenue at the time. But the risk paid off. On the day the baldachin was unveiled, it proved to be a spectacular success, even with the previously disdainful Romans.
Practical Info
St Peter’s Basilica, where St Peter's Baldachin is located, opens every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in winter and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from April to September. To get to the basilica, take the Metro line A to the Ottaviano San Pietro stop and follow the Via Ottaviano Street.
Address: Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City, Rome, Italy
Hours: April-September 7am-7pm; October-March 7am-6pm
From $ 23
St Pancras Station
One of London’s biggest, most modern and best-connected train stations, St Pancras Station (or King's Cross St Pancras) dates back to 1868 but underwent major redevelopments in 2007. The station now serves as England's main Eurostar terminus, linking London directly to Paris, Brussels and Lille, as well as offering a wide network of London underground and nationwide trains.
The recent renovations have also put St Pancras on the map as a destination in its own right, and travelers connecting in King's Cross will find plenty to keep them occupied in-between trains. Not only is the station itself an impressive example of Victorian architecture, but it's also dotted with fascinating art works, including Paul Day's sculpture 'The Meeting Place' and a statue of John Betjeman.
St Pancras also offers tax-free shopping (for non-European Union residents) at a range of high street and brand-name stores; a wide variety of cafés, bars and restaurants; and the luxurious Marriot St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Highlights include a British produce market, Europe's largest champagne bar, a series of Street Pianos dotted around the station and the famous Platform 9 ¾, a must for Harry Potter fans. The station forecourt even hosts pop-up gigs, charity events and appearances by big-name music acts and celebrities.
Practical Info
St Pancras Station is located in north central London and serves Eurostar, East Midlands, Southeastern and ThamesLink trains, as well as being linked to the London Underground (Victoria, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly and Circle lines).
Address: Euston Rd., London N1C 4QP, England
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
From $ 11
St Michan's Church
St Michan's Church is a church in Dublin, Ireland that was originally founded in 1095. The church was established to serve a colony of Danish Vikings who had been forced outside of the city walls after the majority of the Vikings had been killed or kicked out. The church was rebuilt in the late 1600s, and a large pipe organ was installed in 1724. It is believed that George F. Handel used this organ when composing The Messiah.
The big draw for St Michan's Church is in the basement. Below the church is a crypt with coffins, many of which are open. The bodies laid to rest here have mummified over the centuries with various theories as to why the bodies here have remained in a semi-preserved state. Some credit the limestone that makes the basement so dry, and others point to the methane gas from the former swamp land the church was built on. While the bodies have been preserved, the coffins have been disintegrating, often causing them to fall apart and reveal the mummies.
Practical Info
St Michan's Church is located on Church Street in Dublin.
Address: Church Street, Dublin, Ireland
From $ 29
St Paul's Bay
A minuscule cove wrapped in protective cliffs, St Paul’s Bay is reputedly the spot where the Apostle Paul first set foot on Rhodes to preach to the locals in AD 51. It is one of three beaches local to the whitewashed sugar-cube houses of Lindos; this most charming of Rhodes’ east coast resorts is overlooked by an ancient acropolis and has an atmospheric tangle of steep medieval streets. The bay’s minuscule strip of sand and azure waters are almost completely enclosed by craggy cliffs and backed by bougainvillea; a tiny, whitewashed chapel sits at one corner of the cove and this romantic little place is one of the town’s favorite wedding venues. The crystal-blue Mediterranean Sea is warm enough to swim in until October and the bay is both shallow and protected from winds, making it perfect for children to splash around in. Sun-loungers and parasols are available for hire and there are showers and a tiny beach bar but space on this lovely beach is at a premium.
Practical Info
Lindos is 55 km (34.5 miles) south of Rhodes Town and the drive takes 50 minutes. Bus no 32 from Rhodes Town takes an hour to Lindos. St Paul’s Bay is best accessed on foot.
Address: Lindos, Rhodes Town, Rhodes 851 07, Greece
Hours: Open 24/7
From $ 636
St Patrick's Cathedral
The largest church in Ireland, the majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral has borne witness to nearly 800 years of Irish history. The church was supposedly founded on the site where Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick, baptized converts and is known for its exquisite stained-glass windows, marble statues, and medieval tiling. St. Patrick’s is as much a significant spot for literary pilgrims as it is for their religious counterparts; Jonathan Swift, the esteemed author of “Gulliver’s Travels” once served as dean here and is now buried within its gray stone walls.
The Basics
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of Dublin’s most-visited historical attractions and an essential stop for any history buff. A stop at the 13th-century building is included on most Dublin sightseeing tours, along with nearby attractions such as Trinity College and Temple Bar. It’s also a stop on hop-on hop-off bus tours in Dublin. To fully appreciate the symbolic significance of the cathedral’s many features and avoid the lines that can form at busy times, opt for a guided tour with skip-the-line-access.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Travelers can explore independently or take part in guided tours, which take place several times daily from Monday to Saturday.
- The cathedral is wheelchair accessible.
- The Dublin Pass includes cathedral entry.
- Take time to stroll through the adjacent St. Patrick’s Park, a grassy square with perfectly framed views of the cathedral.
How to Get There
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is located in the heart of Dublin city center, within easy strolling distance of several other big-name attractions, including Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin Castle. Ride the Luas Green Line tram to the terminus, St. Stephen’s Green; St. Patrick’s is about a 10-minute walk from there. Dublin Bus run several routes (49, 54a, 56a, 77a, and 151) to the cathedral.
When to Get There
St. Patrick’s is open year-round. Summer mornings in July and August tend to draw the biggest crowds. Join a skip-the-line tour to avoid waiting around, or plan your visit for late afternoon instead when the cathedral empties out.
How to Hear the St. Patrick’s Cathedral Choir
The cathedral has its own choir, which belts out hymns during morning and evening services. The choir performs during school terms only, with varying service times. All are welcome to attend services and no tickets are required.
Address: Ireland
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30am-5pm. Mar-Oct: open Saturday from 9am-6pm, Sunday 9am-10:30am, 12:30pm-2:30pm, 4:30pm-6pm. Nov-Feb: open Saturday from 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-10:30am, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Admission: Adults: €6.50
From $ 23
St Peter's Basilica
The enormous St. Peter's Basilica dominates Vatican City, and its dome can be seen from all over Rome. Built on the site of St. Peter’s crucifixion and over his tomb, it’s the epicenter of the Catholic Church and the burial place of many popes, including Pope John Paul II. The lavishly adorned basilica is the largest church in Italy and all of Christendom, and it's also a museum full of priceless works of art—including Michelangelo’s spectacular “Pietà” and Bernini’s bronze baldachin.
The Basics
St. Peter's Basilica is an essential part of any visit to the Vatican. There's no admission fee, so it's easy to stop in on your own, but a guided tour or audio guide will help you truly understand the significance of the history and art. Many travelers either choose a tour that focuses exclusively on the basilica or opt for one that pairs a visit with stops at other areas in the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. This is one of the most popular attractions in Rome and all of Italy, so crowds are nearly inevitable. It’s best to book a skip-the-line ticket or early-access tour that allows you to visit before most of the swarms arrive.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Be prepared for security lines similar to those at airports, including metal detectors, bag scanners, and potentially long waits.
- The basilica has a strict dress code—no bare shoulders, midriffs, or knees—and you won't be allowed in unless you adhere to it.
- A skip-the-line tour of the Vatican that includes St. Peter’s enables you to bypass the basilica’s long entry lines—though you still have to go through the security check.
- Climbing into the basilica’s dome, which affords fantastic views over St. Peter’s Square, requires a ticket.
How to Get There
St. Peter's Basilica is across the Tiber River from top sights such as the Colosseum and Piazza Navona. The nearest metro stops are Ottaviano–San Pietro–Musei Vaticani and Cipro on line A; there are closer tram and bus stops. If you'd like to walk, cross the Ponte Sant'Angelo toward the Castel Sant'Angelo for a picturesque view.
When to Get There
The church is open year-round, but it's a working church so it closes regularly for mass and special religious services. Crowds are at their thickest during summer and holidays such as Easter and Christmas, as well as during public papal addresses, given most Wednesdays in the square.
Underneath St. Peter's Basilica
The basilica’s most famous tomb is that of St. Peter, but most visitors never go below the main level of the church. You can book a small group tour of the Vatican Necropolis to explore the ancient Roman cemetery that lies underground, past the Vatican grottoes, and stand before St. Peter's tomb.
Address: Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City 00120, Italy
Hours: Open daily 7am - 7pm (6pm in winter)
Admission: Free
From $ 15
St Paul de Vence
A picturesque medieval town with panoramic views, St. Paul de Vence is quintessential Provence and one of the most loved hilltop villages in the South of France. Visitors come from far and wide to stroll the winding streets, relax in the charming cafés, and soak up the bright sunshine.
The Basics
The village of St. Paul de Vence has existed for more than 1,000 years, built on a hilltop site to ensure the safety of its residents all those years ago. In the Middle Ages, it was an important border stronghold for the Counts of Provence, and ramparts were built around the town. In the 19th century, the village’s location, golden light, and beautiful surroundings attracted painters from across France, and an artist’s colony developed. Well-known artists who lived here include Paul Signac, Raoul Dufy, and Marc Chagall, and Matisse and Picasso were frequent visitors.
Modern-day life in the village has not changed too much, with weekly markets, welcoming cafés and bistros, and chic galleries selling works by local artists. Art aficionados visit Chagall’s tomb in the town cemetery. For many travelers, a trip to St. Paul—often as part of a small-group or private guided tour out of Nice or Cannes—is an essential part of any Provence vacation.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The village has some steep streets and staircases that are not suitable for people with limited mobility.
- Market day is Wednesday, and you’ll find the market in Place du Jeu de Boules.
- Choisy Gallerie is a popular place to visit, and sometimes you can find artist Christian Choisy himself at work.
How to Get There
St. Paul de Vence is located 8 miles (12 kilometers) from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. Take bus 400 from the airport, or drive and park in town. Guided tours with transportation also frequent the village.
When to Get There
Most shops and galleries in St. Paul de Vence are open seven days a week except for major holidays. While the summer months are busiest, the French Riviera gets almost 300 days of sunshine per year with pleasant temperatures year-round.
Visit the Matisse Museum
If you’re inspired by your visit to St. Paul and want to learn more about the art produced in this area, head to the Matisse Museum in Nice. It houses one of the largest collections of the artist’s work in the world, and you can see Matisse’s iconic, colorful works and learn more about his artistic process.
Address: St. Paul de Vence, France
From $ 69
St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral
It took 300 years to complete the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral and its architecture spans styles from Romanesque to Gothic to Renaissance. The Renaissance stained-glass windows are amazing and fill the cathedral with light. Inside, the chapel is not overly adorned after plundering by various invading armies.
The cathedral sits atop the ruins of an 11th century Romanesque chapel the remains of which can be viewed in the crypt. Saints Michael and Gudule are the male and female patron saints of Brussels. All Royal weddings take place here and many concerts are held throughout the year. On Sundays a concert is played on the carillon of 49 bells.
There is also a family of Peregrine Falcons who live in the northern tower of the cathedral. In front of the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral is a viewing spot and on Sunday afternoons local bird experts are on hand to answer any questions.
The cathedral sits atop the ruins of an 11th century Romanesque chapel the remains of which can be viewed in the crypt. Saints Michael and Gudule are the male and female patron saints of Brussels. All Royal weddings take place here and many concerts are held throughout the year. On Sundays a concert is played on the carillon of 49 bells.
There is also a family of Peregrine Falcons who live in the northern tower of the cathedral. In front of the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral is a viewing spot and on Sunday afternoons local bird experts are on hand to answer any questions.
Practical Info
The cathedral is a block away from Centrale train station or a few blocks from Parc. Any buses heading to Centrale will also land you near the cathedral.
Address: Rue du Bois Sauvage, Brussels, Belgium
Hours: Mon - Fri 7am - 6pm. Sat 8:30am to 6pm (visits from 8:30am - 3:30pm only), Sun 8:30am - 6pm (visits from 2 pm only)
Admission: Free. Other areas of the cathedral admission: € 1 - € 2.50
From $ 34
St Nicholas' Church
Owner of the oldest of the three great spires that dominate the pedestrianized heart of Ghent, St Nicholas’ Church was constructed between the 13th and 15th centuries in an eye-catching mixture of Romanesque and Flemish Gothic architectural styles. Built of Tournai limestone, its lovely exterior is adorned with flying buttresses and spiky spires as well as an imposing central tower; all this grandeur was paid for by Ghent’s wealthy medieval merchants to signal their wealth to the rival Flanders trading cities of Bruges and Antwerp. It’s probably more beautiful inside than out, but nevertheless all eyes lead to the Baroque high altar with its twisted side columns, floodlit through stained-glass windows high above. The church is currently under restoration but faint traces of fresco can still be seen on the supporting pillars of the nave. For the best view of St Nicholas’s flying buttresses, head for the viewing platform of the Belfry a few steps away.
Practical Info
Korenmarkt. Free admission. Open Mon 2–5pm, Tue–Sun 10am–5pm.
Address: Cataloniëstraat, Ghent 9000, Belgium
Hours: Mon 2–5pm, Tue–Sun 10am–5pm
From $ 53
St Peter Church (St. Peterskirche)
St Peter's is the oldest church in Zurich. It stands in a small square surrounded by houses and shops but its impressive spire dominates the city. St Peter's Church, also known as St Peterskirche, is so tall that from the Middle Ages until the early 20th century it was used by the night-watch keeping an eye out for fires breaking out in the city. On this spire is the largest church clockface in Europe with a diameter of 28.5 ft (8.7 m). The minute hand is 12 ft (4 m) long!
The Peterskirche was first built in the 9th century, but was altered in the 13th century and again in the 17th century. The interior is plain, white with wooden columns and pews but in the choir the remains of a medieval mural can be seen.
Practical Info
The nearest tram is 4 or 15, stopping at Rathaus, then walk across the bridge over the river Limmat.
Address: St Peter-Hofstatt 1, Zurich 8001, Switzerland
Hours: Open Mon - Fri 8am - 6pm, Sat 9am - 4pm
Admission: Free
From $ 26
St Nicholas Cathedral
St Nicholas Cathedral is the most famous Baroque church in Prague. Along with the former Jesuit college, it is situated in the center of the city’s Lesser Town Square. A 13th century Gothic parish church stood at the site until the current cathedral took its place in the mid-18th century.
St Nicholas Cathedral is a superb example of High Baroque architecture and is as impressive from the inside as it is from the outside. The interior was said to have been inspired by the chapel of St. Louis-des-Invalides in Paris, with its intricate frescos, grand sculptures, and elegant stucco designs making it a striking place to visit.
The cathedral’s main Baroque organ is up to six meters in length and features more than 4000 pipes. In 1787, during his stay in Prague as a guest of the Dušeks, Mozart himself played this very organ. Elsewhere, the church’s 79-meter belfry is directly connected with the building’s huge dome and provides panoramic views across the city from its gallery.
In addition to visiting during the day, guests can attend classical concerts at the cathedral, which are held regularly throughout the year.
Practical Info
St Nicholas Cathedral is located in the Lesser Quarter of Prague. To reach it on foot, follow the route to Prague Castle from the Charles Bridge. Alternatively, take tram number 12, 20, or 22 to the Malostranske náměstí stop. There is a church service every Sunday at 10am.
Address: Malostranske náměstí, Prague 118 00, Czech Republic
Hours: Open daily Mar-Oct: 9am-5pm and Nov-Feb: 9am-4pm
Admission: Adults: 60CZK; Students: 30CZK; Children: Free
From $ 13
St Paul's Within the Walls
St. Paul’s Within the Walls was the first Protestant church built in Rome, considered the capital of the Catholic world. Today, this 19th-century Episcopal church—a national monument and home to beautiful mosaics—is both a religious and cultural center, holding services, musical performances, and art exhibitions.
The Basics
Using glass from Murano, pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones designed St. Paul’s Within the Walls’ four mosaics that earned the building its recognition as a national monument from the Italian government. That said, St. Paul’s Within the Walls (Chiesa di San Paolo Entro Le Mura) is primarily known as venue for musical performances. Here you can see productions of famous Italian operas such as Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata and Gioachino Rossini’s Barber of Seville, or performances of famous opera arias by singers from the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma or today’s Three Tenors. There are also frequent classical music concerts featuring works by composers including Beethoven, Schubert, and Vivaldi.
Booking tickets to one of the many concerts and performances held at St. Paul’s Within the Walls is the perfect way to both visit the lovely church interior and appreciate its excellent acoustics. The Three Tenors and the Virtuosi dell'Opera di Roma are two of the most popular performances, but there are also symphonic concerts and special musical events on Easter and New Year’s Eve.
Things to Know Before You Go
- St. Paul’s Within the Walls is one of Italy’s most important Protestant churches and holds Episcopal services in English each Sunday.
- If attending a musical performance, the dress code is smart casual.
- The church is accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The church is located on the corner of Via Nazionale and Via Napoli, about a 10-minute walk from Rome’s Termini train station or near the Piazza Repubblica stop on metro line A.
When to Get There
St. Paul’s Within the Walls is a beautiful backdrop for evening performances, though you can also visit Monday to Friday from 9am to 4:30pm to simply tour the interior.
Art Exhibitions
In addition to concerts and operas, St. Paul’s Within the Walls often holds contemporary art exhibitions, which you can visit during their regular opening hours.
Address: Via Napoli 58, Rome, Italy
From $ 23
St Nicholas Church
In AD 343, St Nicholas (also known as Santa Claus) was laid to rest in a tomb beneath the church in Antalya where he'd previously served as bishop. A new St Nicholas Church was built years later atop the foundations of the old church before it was later destroyed in an Arab raid and then rebuilt once more by Constantine IX. Today, it’s one of Turkey’s most important Christian pilgrimage sites.
While the remains of St Nicholas are no longer interred at the church (they were reportedly stolen by Italian merchants in 1087), his sarcophagus can be found in the southernmost aisle of the church. Also notable are the stunning Byzantine frescoes and mosaic tile floors.
Practical Info
The reputed remaining bones of St Nicholas are on display inside the Antalya Museum.
Address: Merkez, 07570 Demre (Kale), Antalya, Turkey
Hours: 9am to 7pm
Admission: 15TL
From $ 70
St Pauli Piers
The impressive St Pauli Landungsbrücken (St Pauli Piers) is one of Hamburg's most popular attractions. Built in 1907, the 2,257-foot (688-meter) landungsbrücke (“pier”) is composed of several floating pontoons, which are accessible from land by 10 movable bridges. Once mooring points for large passenger steamships, today the pontoons are mostly used by sightseeing boats. The structure also features two towers of differing heights, plus several copper domes.
The Landungsbrücken is located in Hamburg’s St Pauli district, between the lower harbor and the fish market, on the banks of the Elbe river. It forms a central transportation hub, with streetcar (S-Bahn), underground train (U-Bahn), and ferry stations all stopping here. It’s also a major tourist magnet, with numerous restaurants and departure points for harbor cruises. (A boat tour is considered the best way to see Hamburg.) With the water on one side, and colorful souvenir shops and quaint fish restaurants serving North Sea shrimp on the other side, it’s easy to forget that you are walking on a floating platform.
Practical Info
The piers are located in the St Pauli area of Hamburg, between the lower harbor and the Fischmarkt (Fish Market), on the banks of the Elbe river. At the western end of the Landungsbrücken, there’s an entrance to the Old Elbe tunnel. The eastern end of the structure is marked by the Pegelturm (water level tower). Halfway up the tower, there is a water level indicator built into the wall, which indicates the current stage of the tides.
Address: St. Pauli, Hamburg 20359, Germany
From $ 23
St Mary's Dome Cathedral
St. Mary’s Dome Cathedral, also known simply as Riga Cathedral, is one of the best known landmarks in Latvia. Built near the Daugava River in 1211 by Bishop Albert of Riga, it is the largest medieval church in the Baltics and is the seat of the Archbishop of Riga. The cathedral is also known for its organ, built by E.F. Walcker & Sons in 1882 and considered one of the most valuable historic pipe organs in the world. Instead of a cross, the cathedral’s tower is decorated with a rooster. During Soviet times, when religious services were prohibited, the cathedral was instead used as a concert hall.
Practical Info
The cathedral is located in Riga’s Old City, within easy walking distance of both the train station and many tourist hotels. Services are held on Sundays at 12 p.m. and on weekdays and Saturdays at 8 a.m.
Address: Herdera laukums 6, Riga LV-1050, Latvia
Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Admission: Free; admission charged for concerts
From $ 9
St Mary's House
A holy shrine to the supposed death place of St. Mary, the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus is a standing testament to the home of the beloved mother of Jesus. Many believe that the house was indeed the place where she spent her final days, and today you can visit the restored stone house, which now serves as a chapel.
Serving as sacred territory for Christians and Muslims alike, the significance of the house has called hundreds of thousands of visitors and pilgrims since its discovery in the 19th-century. Remnants of the chapel date as far back as the 6th-century, and serves as the place where its caretakers, the Lazarist Fathers, conduct mass every day. Despite the altar placed within, the house still contains a bedroom and kitchen, decorated with pictures of Mary and candles.
Many believe that the spring that runs beneath the house is blessed and possesses the power to heal, and once you enter the house, you can see left behind crutches and other apparatus’ that were apparently left behind amid miracles.
Serving as sacred territory for Christians and Muslims alike, the significance of the house has called hundreds of thousands of visitors and pilgrims since its discovery in the 19th-century. Remnants of the chapel date as far back as the 6th-century, and serves as the place where its caretakers, the Lazarist Fathers, conduct mass every day. Despite the altar placed within, the house still contains a bedroom and kitchen, decorated with pictures of Mary and candles.
Many believe that the spring that runs beneath the house is blessed and possesses the power to heal, and once you enter the house, you can see left behind crutches and other apparatus’ that were apparently left behind amid miracles.
Practical Info
Once in Orman Yolu Park, there are plenty of signs available from both
the upper and lower entrances that will guide you to the house, just
follow the ones that say Meryemana, Turkish for House of the Virgin.
Address: Ephesus, Turkey
From $ 41
St Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery
St Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery was commissioned by Prince Sviatopolk in 1108 to house the relics of St Barbara; it was Byzantine in style and survived centuries of political turmoil in Ukraine, expanding and acquiring a lovely Baroque façade before being razed by the USSR under Stalin in 1936. In 2000, almost a decade after independence from Russia, it was spectacularly brought back to life with a painstaking reconstruction of its intricate sky-blue and white plasterwork façade topped with seven glittering gold domes, along with the refectory and bell tower. Named after the patron saint of Kiev, St Michael’s lost many of its treasured mosaics and frescoes to Moscow but most of these were returned after fraught political wrangling in 2004. A community of monks returned to the monastery and today it is thriving once more.
Entrance to the monastery is through the exotic 18th-century bell tower, which houses a small museum relating the demise and reincarnation of the building; views from the top of the tower take in the River Dnieper and the rooftops of Kiev’s old heart. The church interior gleams with Baroque icons, its wall again smothered with original frescoes and mosaics. A monument to the ten million Ukrainians who starved to death in the Soviet-induced famine of 1932–33 stands by the exit to the grounds.
Practical Info
Triokhsviatytelska Street, 8, Kiev. Open daily 8am–7pm. Admission is free. Take the metro to metro to Maidan Nezalezhnosti.
Address: Triokhsviatytelska Street, 8, Kiev, Kiev Oblast 01601, Ukraine
Hours: daily 8am–7pm
From $ 22
St Nicholas Church (Biserica Sf Nicolae)
The Schei district lies outside the fortified medieval walls of Braşov and was originally the area where Romanian nationals lived; up until the mid-17th century, they had to pay a toll to enter the Saxon inner city. It was here that the church of St Nicholas was first built of wood in 1392, making it the oldest Romanian Orthodox church in the country; a stone replacement was completed in 1594, and the church was again much extended in the 18th century. Today it stands a glorious mix of Gothic, Byzantine and Baroque architecture, with a slender central tower and shorter spires. As it was the center of Romanian culture in Braşov, many wealthy patrons donated to the embellishment of the ornate church interior, which is liberally decorated with icons and frescoes, including several by the 19th-century artist Misu Popp.
Inside the walled gardens of the church lies a small cemetery, which is the burial place of Nicolae Titulescu (1882-1941), one of Romania’s most controversial diplomatic figures who featured large on the world stage and helped create the League of Nations in 1921. Also in the grounds is the First Romanian School, originally built in 1495 to educate young Romanians, rebuilt in 1760 and now housing a museum showcasing the backstory of Romanian life in Braşov’s Schei district.
Practical Info
Piața Unirii 1. Open daily 9am–7pm. Admission by donation.
Address: Piața Unirii 1, Brasov, Romania
Hours: Open daily 9am–7pm
Admission: Donation
From $ 12
St Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche)
Nikolaikirche, or St. Nicholas Church, is Berlin's oldest church and was completed in 1230. The basement floors are considered to be the oldest rooms in Berlin. The church played a significant role in Berlin's history. During the Reformation, it was the site of the first Protestant public worship service in the area when Elector Joachim II sided with Martin Luther's reforms. In 1809, the first elected city council for Berlin was sworn in at the church. In 1991, the first freely elected legislature for the newly unified city of Berlin held its first meeting in the church.
The church has undergone several additions and restorations over the centuries. It was no longer used as a church starting in 1939, and it was destroyed in World War II. After extensive restoration, the church has functioned as a museum dedicated to Nikolaiviertel, the district surrounding the church, since 1987. Visitors can climb the tower for spectacular views of Berlin.
Practical Info
St. Nicholas Church is located at Nikolaikirchplatz.
Address: Nikolaikirchplatz, Berlin 10178, Germany
Admission: €5
From $ 16
St Nikolai Memorial (St. Nicholas' Church)
The St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg was mostly destroyed during air raids in World War II. Approximately 35,000 people were killed during the air raids. The ruins of the church now serve as a memorial to the victims of the war. The church's tower was used to help allied pilots navigate, and it still stands today, almost undamaged.
The memorial at St. Nikolai Church includes a permanent exhibition in the crypt of the ruins that depicts the causes and consequences of the aerial war in Europe. Black and white photos show images of the war and the destruction that came with it. The memorial also serves as a cultural meeting place. Concerts, films, and lectures link events, social issues, and conflicts of the present. Events deal with the German culture of remembrance and lectures on current international politics. Germany's largest glockenspiel was installed here in 1993, and it is sounded at concerts to remember the victims of the war.
Standing at 147.3 meters (483 feet) it is the highest church tower in the city and the fifth highest church in the world. Visitors can take the glass elevator to the observation deck at 76 meters (249 feet) for a panoramic view of Hamburg.
Practical Info
The St. Nikolai Church and Memorial is located at Willy-Brandt-Strasse 60. Opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in May through September, and until 5 p.m. in October through April. Tickets for the museum and viewing tower cost 5 euros.
Address: Willy-Brandt-Straße 60, Hamburg, Germany
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May-Sept;
until 5 p.m. Oct-April
Admission: Tickets for the museum and viewing tower cost 5 euros.
From $ 12