Choose from 4,530 Fun Things to Do in Europe
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St Thomas Church
The striking Cathedral of Notre-Dame might be Strasbourg’s most famous religious building, but the comparatively modest St Thomas Church still stands out as one of the city’s most unique designs. Combining its 12th-century Romanesque façade with Gothic touches added in the 16th century, the protestant church appears more like a castle than a church and boasts five naves and a single tower.
Inside the church, notable highlights include a 10-meter-tall fresco of Saint Michael; an 18th-century Silbermann organ, famously played by Mozart; and an impressive collection of 18th and 19th-century tombs, including the elaborate Marshal of Saxony mausoleum, the work of legendary sculptor J.B. Pigalle.
Practical Info
The St Thomas Church is located on the Grande Île in central Strasbourg, a short walk from the Covered Bridges and La Petite France. The church is open March through December from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. In March and February it closed except during religious celebrations. Entrance is free.
Address: 11 Rue Martin Luther, Strasbourg, France
Hours: The church is open March through December from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. In March and February it closed except during religious celebrations.
From $ 260
St Peter's Church (Sankt Petri Kyrka)
The oldest building in Malmo, St. Peter’s Church dates back to 1319. Built in a Gothic style with red and brown bricks, it was largely based on St. Mary’s Church in Lubeck, Germany. A 105-meter high tower was added in the 15th century, together with several chapels and the baptismal font. The simple white interior walls are embellished by an ornate altar and elaborate fixtures. The Tradesman’s Chapel is notable for its mural paintings from around 1520, which are some of the best preserved in Scandinavia; the rest of the church’s murals have been destroyed. Also worth checking out is the floor in the oldest part of the church, which is made of broke gravestones.
The church is still in active use and a project is currently underway to add a new organ by 2018 that would be the largest church organ in Scandinavia.
Practical Info
St. Peter’s Church, also called Sankt Petri Church, stands behind Malmo’s City Hall in the Old Town. It is a short walk from the train station; simply cross the Petribron bridge and head south on Goran Olsgatan. The church will soon be on your left.
Address: Göran Olsgatan 4, Malmo, Sweden
Hours: Daily, 10am-6pm
From $ 19
St Vincent Church (Eglise St-Vincent)
Located at the heart of Les Baux de Provence, St Vincent Church (Eglise St-Vincent) is one of the village’s most charming historic landmarks and a fascinating remnant of its troglodyte past. Dating back to the 12th century, the beautifully preserved church is most notable for its unique rock-cut design, partially carved into the hillside and retaining a unique cave-like atmosphere.
Behind its humble stone-brick façade, the small church offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, with its three cave chapels, rock carved baptismal font and striking stained glass windows. Still an active church, St Vincent’s hosts daily services throughout the year, but the most popular time to visit is for Midnight Mass on December 24th, when the church hosts a traditional Pastrage ceremony.
Practical Info
St Vincent Church is located on Place Saint-Vincent in the centre of Les Baux-de-Provence and is open daily. Admission is free.
Address: Place Saint Vincent, Les Baux-de-Provence 13520, France
Hours: Open daily
From $ 69
St Spyridon Church
Built in 1590, the St. Spyridon is dedicated to St. Spyridon, who is said to have saved the Greek island of Corfu from Ottoman attacks on multiple occasions. Located in the heart of Corfu Town, the church is the final resting place of the saint, whose remains are kept in a casket inside the church. Four annual processions originate from the church, on August 11 (the date the Turks abandoned their siege of Corfu in 1716), Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday and the first Sunday in November. On each occasion, the body of St. Spyridon is carried around the town as part of the procession. On three other occasions, his casket is put out for public display and worship.
St. Spyridon is a classic example of Venetian architecture in Corfu Town. The top of the church is divided into 17 parts with golden frames that were painted in the early 18th century and restored in the 19th century. The church’s bell tower was built in 1620 and today is the highest part of the town. For visitors approaching Corfu Town by ferry, it is the first thing they will see.
Practical Info
St. Spyridon Church is located behind the Liston in Corfu Town. It has two entrances, one facing the Spianada and the other toward Ag. Spyridon Street. Visitors can be advised to keep the church’s bell tower in sight as they wander around town to keep from getting lost.
Address: Agiou Spyridon, Corfu, Greece
From $ 69
St Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika)
This beautiful neo-classical cathedral is the biggest church in Budapest and sits on the imposing square of Szent István. Its serene façade is decorated with statues of the 12 Apostles and has twin clock towers, a vast cupola and an imposing colonnaded doorway leading on to a barn-like interior illuminated through jewel-like stained-glass windows.
Among the carved wooden pews, marble statuary, frescoed ceilings and gilded ornamentation, the opulent basilica’s most holy relic is found in the small dark chapel to the left of the elaborate main altar. The mummified and bejeweled hand of St Stephen, who was both first king and patron saint of Hungary back in the ninth century, lies preserved in a delicate glass cabinet.
The basilica can accommodate 8,500 worshippers and was built during the late 19th century during the expansion of Budapest for the Millennium celebrations. Much of the later design work was by Miklós Ybl, designer of the Hungarian State Opera House. Badly damaged during WWII, the cathedral has recently been extensively restored and once more sparkles both inside and out.
Regular organ recitals are held here and the dome has a panoramic viewing point taking in the sweep of the city and Danube River; access is by elevator and steep steps.
Among the carved wooden pews, marble statuary, frescoed ceilings and gilded ornamentation, the opulent basilica’s most holy relic is found in the small dark chapel to the left of the elaborate main altar. The mummified and bejeweled hand of St Stephen, who was both first king and patron saint of Hungary back in the ninth century, lies preserved in a delicate glass cabinet.
The basilica can accommodate 8,500 worshippers and was built during the late 19th century during the expansion of Budapest for the Millennium celebrations. Much of the later design work was by Miklós Ybl, designer of the Hungarian State Opera House. Badly damaged during WWII, the cathedral has recently been extensively restored and once more sparkles both inside and out.
Regular organ recitals are held here and the dome has a panoramic viewing point taking in the sweep of the city and Danube River; access is by elevator and steep steps.
Practical Info
Opening hours are Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 9pm-1am, Sunday 1pm-5pm. The viewing point in the dome is closed from November to March. Entrance to the church is free and admission tickets to the dome are discounted with the Budapest Card. Metro János utca.
Address: Szent István tér 1, Budapest, Hungary
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am- 5pm. Sat 9am-1pm. Sun 1pm-5pm.
From $ 17
St. Anne's Church
The decorative brick towers, rose windows and spires of this flamboyant late-Gothic church were finished in 1501, and today it is one of Old Town’s best-loved landmarks.
The church was constructed on the site of an earlier wooden church first mentioned in 1394. St Anne's was designed by either Polish architect Michael Enkinger, who built a church of the same name in Warsaw, or the Bohemian Benedikt Rejt, who had a hand in building Prague Castle. Its ornate multi-patterned façade bristles with arcades, arches, flying buttresses and gargoyles.
Inside, the church’s single nave is surprisingly austere, with high vaulted ceilings and plain walls with little adornment except carved wooden pews and lecterns. Much of the original stained glass was destroyed by Napoleon’s troops when they were stationed here in 1812, despite the apocryphal tale that he apparently loved the church so much he wanted to "carry it home in the palm of his hand."
The freestanding, clumsy Neo-Gothic bell tower to the right of the main entrance to St Anne’s was an afterthought added in 1873; the church close by is St Francis and St Bernadine; together the three buildings comprise the Bernadine Priory.
Practical Info
St Anne's Church is open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. in the summer months (May through September) and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. the rest of the year. Mass takes place Monday through Saturday at 6 p.m., and twice on Sunday at both 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Admission is free.
Address: Maironio gatvė 8-1, Vilnius 01124, Lithuania
Hours: May–Sept 11am-7pm; Oct–Apr 5pm–7pm
From $ 12
St. Anne's Cathedral
Though work on St. Anne’s Cathedral (also known as Belfast Cathedral) began in 1899, many changes and extensions were made during the following decades, culminating in the addition of the Spire of Hope in 2007. The neo-Romanesque structure contains a wealth of decorative features and artworks, including a 150,000-piece glass mosaic.
The Basics
Also known simply as Belfast Cathedral, St. Anne’s Cathedral is one of the city’s main religious monuments. The cathedral is often seen on walking tours of Belfast, and on sightseeing tours of Belfast from Dublin that visit other Northern Ireland highlights, such as the Giant’s Causeway.
Visitors typically explore the cathedral with the aid of a guide booklet or audio guide, or as part of a guided tour, covering highlights such as the tomb of Sir Edward Carson, a prominent unionist leader who fought against Irish Home Rule, and the baptistery’s ceiling mosaic, which depicts the story of Creation with some 150,000 artfully arranged pieces of glass.
Things to Know Before You Go
- St. Anne’s Cathedral is a must for first-time visitors to Belfast.
- The cathedral is wheelchair accessible via the Donegall Street entrance.
- Visitors are welcome to attend services, which take place daily.
How to Get There
St. Anne’s Cathedral is located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, about 15 minutes’ walk from Belfast City Hall. Many local Metro bus routes stop near the cathedral.
When to Get There
If you want to explore the cathedral, it’s best to arrive when services are not in progress, so as not to disturb the congregation. If you want to attend a service, try the 30-minute choral evensong, which takes place Monday to Friday at 5:30pm during months when school is in session.
Spire of Hope
Among the most notable features of the cathedral is the 236-foot (72-meter) spire that pokes up into the sky through a glass portion of roof. The lightweight stainless-steel spire, known as the Spire of Hope, was erected in 2007 as an alternative to a traditional church spire, because the so-called “Belfast sleech” (a soft mixture of sand, gravel, and boulder clay) that lies below the cathedral would not support a heavier ornament.
Address: Donegall St, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Admission: Free
From $ 138
St Polycarp Church
St Polycarp Church dates from the mid-1600s and is Izmir’s oldest church. Dedicated to Saint Polycarp, a bishop who was martyred by the Romans in 155 AD, the church was been repeatedly damaged by earthquakes and its present building dates from 1690.
Saint Polycarp was converted by John the Apostle and later became Bishop of Smyrna. His views on Christianity were apparently not appreciated by his Roman overlords, who tried to burn the 86-year-old Bishop at the stake. Legend has it, the flames would not burn Bishop, so the Romans resorted to stabbing him to death instead. A white dove is said to have flown up into the sky from the spot where he died.
The Church is now used by the catholic minority as a place of worship and pilgrimage. The murals were restored at the beginning of the century by the French architect Raymond Pee.
St. Polycarp Church is across from the Izmir Hilton. Only tour groups are allowed to enter the church by prior arrangment.
Address: Akdeniz Mh., Izmir 35210, Turkey
From $ 900
St Wolfgang
The historic spa town of St Wolfgang is quite simply one of the prettiest villages in the Salzkammergut (Austrian Lake District). It perches on the northern shore of the Wolfgangsee lake and is backed by the alpine foothills of Mount Schafberg – a cog railway goes right to the summit. The village was founded way back in the 10th century when Wolfgang – then the Bishop of Regensburg in Germany – built a church on the lakeside, which became a pilgrimage point after his canonization in 1052. Today the church and its distinctive white bell tower still draw in visitors in the thousands to enjoy the spectacular lakeside setting amid snow-topped alpine peaks. The architecture of the village is largely traditional, with painted chalets adorned with wrought-iron balconies peeping out from steeply pitched wooden roofs; a tangle of lanes creep uphill from the lakeside and are a joy to explore for their many restaurants and classy souvenir stores.
In the winter St Wolfgang morphs into a popular ski resort, with 18 pistes and a modern network of lifts, while in summer it is popular for water sports on the lake and as a jump-off point for walking, cycling and climbing in the Austrian Alps as well as boat trips across the lake to St Gilgen and Strobl.
Practical Info
St Wolfgang is just under an hour by road from Salzburg and the town’s tourist office is in the market square at the center of the village.
Address: St Wolfgang im Salzkammergut 5360, Austria
From $ 52
St Sofia Church
The oldest church in Sofia and the origin of the city’s name, the St. Sofia Church dates back to the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the sixth century. Built on the site of two fourth-century churches just outside of the city walls, it served as the city’s main cemetery church into the Middle Ages and, during the 12th century, it was likely the seat of Sofia’s bishop. After the Ottoman conquest, the church became a mosque and minarets were added. It was abandoned altogether after an earthquake struck in 1858 and later restored at the start of the 20th century.
The church building today is a three-aisled Byzantine-style basilica, with walls of exposed brick, a mosaicked floor and icons of historical saints. Fragments of mosaics from the fourth century can be seen in the floor of the south aisle. Outside of the church is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which memorializes the Bulgarians who were killed in World War I.
Practical Info
The St. Sofia Church is located on Alexander Nevsky ploschad and can be accessed from streetcar number 9 or trolley 20, 22 or 23. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m in the winter. Photos are not allowed inside.
Address: Alexander Nevsky, Sofia, Bulgaria
Hours: Vary
From $ 20
St Sophia Cathedral
St. Sophia’s is Kiev’s oldest Orthodox cathedral, commissioned in 1037 by the scholarly Prince Yaroslav the Wise to give thanks for a military victory that lead to peace in Ukraine and a period of great cultural flowering. With 13 domed cupolas, all topped with green and gold, the cathedral was built next to his palace and had an interior of incredible lavishness, covered with Byzantine frescoes, mosaics and gilded ornamentation. As well as being a place of worship, it acted as a political meeting place for diplomatic negotiations and hosted the first school and library of the fledgling Kyivan Rus, a loose political federation of today’s Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. Much added to and altered over the centuries, the complex survived fires and political unrest; the magical turquoise, white and gold bell tower was added in 1752 and the cathedral exterior underwent a Baroque facelift in the mid 19th century. Under Soviet occupation the cathedral was nearly torn down and replaced with a memorial park but miraculously those plans were scrapped. Amazingly the original 11th-century interiors and frescoes have remained largely intact and among the Biblical scenes portrayed on the walls are portraits of Prince Yaroslav’s family as well as secular images of jugglers, musicians and acrobats.
Now UNESCO World Heritage-listed, St Sophia’s and its grounds are one of Kiev’s most impressive visitor attractions; a small museum of Ukrainian history is found in the 18th-century refectory, where highlights include models of the medieval city and fragments of mosaic from the cathedral.
Practical Info
Volodymyrska Street, 24, Kiev. Open Fri–Tue 10am–6pm; Wed 10am–5pm. Admission adults 50 UAH, students & children 25 UAH; bell tower only adults 10 UAH, students & children 6 UAH; grounds only 3 UAH. Take the metro to Zoloti Vorota.
Address: Volodymyrska Street, 24, Kiev, Kiev Oblast 01025, Ukraine
Hours: Fri–Tue 10am–6pm; Wed 10am–5pm
Admission: adults 50 UAH, students & children 25 UAH
From $ 22
St Petersburg Palace Square (Dvortsovaya Ploshchad)
Palace Square is
the central square of St. Petersberg, which conjoins some of the city’s
major landmarks and monuments, including most famously the Winter
Palace. Because it is so spacious it regularly functions as the grounds
for national parades, bards, and concerts. In the past, square has been
transformed during the winter months to become a free ice rink.
Palace square was also the setting for some of Russia’s most significant historical events including the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 and the 1905 massacre Bloody Sunday, where peaceful protesters were gunned down while trying to present Tsar Nicholas II with a petition .
Although the buildings surrounding the square were built in different eras, they were all built to scale, giving the square a beauty in symmetry.
Palace square was also the setting for some of Russia’s most significant historical events including the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 and the 1905 massacre Bloody Sunday, where peaceful protesters were gunned down while trying to present Tsar Nicholas II with a petition .
Although the buildings surrounding the square were built in different eras, they were all built to scale, giving the square a beauty in symmetry.
Practical Info
The square is a single architectural ensemble, in the northern boundary is the Winter Palace, to the south the General Staff building, a two story arch mounted by the chariot of victory, and installed in the center is the 156 feet (47.5 m) high and 500 ton granite Alexander Column. It also connects key city areas such as Nevsky Prospekt and Palace bridge, which leads into Vasilievsky Island.
As Palace Square is considered one of the biggest hubs in the city, it is easily accessible by the metro to Admiralty and by other modes of transportation at Nevsky Prospekt.
Address: Russia
From $ 18
St. Andrews
The seaside town of St. Andrews is known for its magnificent 12th-century cathedral ruins and elite university, which was founded in the 15th century. Both Prince William and Kate Middleton attended the school. St. Andrews is also a pilgrimage site for golfers, who come to try out the famous Old Course, which dates back some 600 years.
The Basics
Though golfers come here in droves, you don’t have to be a fan of the sport to enjoy St. Andrews. Many travelers come to the town on day trips from Edinburgh, exploring its historic university buildings, cobbled streets, and the medieval ruins of the Gothic cathedral, as well as nearby white-sand beaches, such as West Sands.
Many day tours from Edinburgh combine St. Andrews with other destinations in Fife, such as the history-rich former capital of Scotland, Dunfermline, and the Renaissance-era Falkland Palace.
Things to Know Before You Go
- St. Andrews is a must-visit for golfers, history buffs, and beach lovers.
- Wear walking shoes, so you can comfortably explore the cobbled streets of the town on foot.
- Several sights in town, including the visitor centers at St. Andrews Cathedral and St. Andrews Castle, offer ramped access for wheelchair users.
How to Get There
St. Andrews is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Edinburgh. Regular trains depart from Edinburgh Waverley and go to Leuchars train station, which is about 6 miles (10 kilometers)—or a 15-minute taxi trip—from St. Andrew town center. Most tours from Edinburgh include round-trip transport.
When to Get There
St. Andrews receives most tourists in July and August when temperatures are at their warmest. If you plan on golfing in summer, book a spot well in advance as tee times fill up quickly during peak season.
What to See and Do in St. Andrews
Wandering St. Andrews’ medieval streets is one of the great joys of visiting this town. Find the bulk of architectural eye candy around North, Market, and South streets, which run west from the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral. North of the cathedral sit the evocative ruins of St. Andrews Castle, overlooking the coast. When it comes to golf, the go-to destination is the Links, with seven public courses, including the world-renowned Old Course.
Address: St Andrews, Scotland
From $ 40
St Peter's Church
Also known as Peterskirche, St Peter's Church in Vienna is the second oldest church in the city. The original church building was rumored to have been established by Charlemagne, but it burned down in 1661. The new church, inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, was consecrated in 1733 and a relief plaque on the outside of the church tells the legend of Charlemagne. St Peter's Church was the first domed structure in Vienna and features an ornate interior with colorful frescoes and gold stucco. Most notable for visitors are the gilded pulpit with a representation of the Holy Trinity atop the canopy, a gold and silver sculpture of the Martyrdom of St. John opposite the pulpit and the fresco in the cupola depicting the Coronation of the Virgin.
Over the years, the 18th-century paintings in the church grew darker and the interior began to turn gray, but a massive renovation project from 1998 to 2004 restored the frescoes to their original bright colors.
Practical Info
St. Peter’s Church is located in the heart of Vienna, just a few blocks from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. To get there, either walk from your hotel or take the U-Bahn to Stephensplatz. It is squeezed into a small space off Petersplatz and is mostly obscured by the surrounding buildings, so you may not spot it clearly until standing just in front of it.
Address: Petersplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7am-8pm; Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 9am-9pm
From $ 33
St Stephen Walbrook
This London church, with its massive decorated dome, is considered a precursor to the city’s famous St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is one of the finest of architect Christopher Wren’s churches with its Corinthian columns and modern white marble altar designed by sculptor Henry Moore. The altar’s design and placement in the middle of the church was at the time controversial.
It was constructed from 1672-1679, after the medieval church on which it stands was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. It is an Anglican Parish church steeped in history and tradition and is often named as a jewel of English architecture. The 65 foot dome masterfully supported by columns and arches is celebrated, as is its illumination and use of natural light through strategically placed windows. Many consider it to be one of the most important buildings in England.
Practical Info
The church is located at 39 Walbrook in the City of London. It is open Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm, and 10 am to 3 pm on Fridays. The nearest tube station is Bank. There is no cost to enter.
Address: 39 Walbrook, London, England
From $ 102
St Vitus Cathedral (Katedrala svateho Vita)
St. Vitus (or Katedrála svatého Víta) is the biggest and most important church in Prague, the pinnacle of the Castle complex, and one of the most knockout cathedrals in Europe. It's broodingly Gothic, with a forest of spires and a rose window to rival that of Notre Dame.
Enter by the Golden Portal to take a look at the stunning Last Judgement mosaic. Inside you'll find the final resting places of both Charles IV (who gave his name to Charles Bridge) and Saint Wenceslas. The chapel containing Wenceslas' remains is a stunner, encrusted with semi-precious stones.
The cathedral also contains the crown jewels of the Bohemian kings and an Art Nouveau window by Mucha. Climb the tower for a stunning view of the Castle District.
Practical Info
St. Vitus crowns Castle Hill. If the climb looks too daunting, take a tram to stop 22.
Address: Prague, Czech Republic
Hours: Mar - Nov: 9am - 6pm, Nov - Feb: 9am - 4pm. Opens at 12pm every Sunday
Admission: Free
From $ 12
St Petersburg Cruise Port
The Port of St. Petersburg is the largest port in northwest Russia, serving as one of the world's most popular cruise destinations and the primary gateway between the Baltic Sea and Russia. Ships docking in St. Petersburg do so in the heart of the city, at Vasilevsky Island.
The Basics
Cruisers docking at the St. Petersburg cruise port who book a guided shore excursion tour can enjoy up to 72 hours of visa-free travel in Russia, while those who want to travel independently must secure a Russian tourist visa in advance. Tours usually take travelers out to explore the city and the region's numerous historical and cultural highlights, including the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Hermitage Museum, Peter and Paul Fortress, Catherine Palace, and Peterhof. Many cruise ships spend at least one night at the port, allowing visitors to explore further afield, perhaps even hopping on a plane for a quick day trip to Moscow.
- Book a shore excursion to avoid the hassle of securing a Russian tourist visa in advance of your trip.
- Most St. Petersburg shore excursion tours include pickup and drop-off at the St. Petersburg port.
- Tours to the royal palaces outside the city center can take upwards of 8 hours given the travel time involved.
- Private guided tours of St. Petersburg ensure you won't miss any of your must-see sights.
How to Get to St. Petersburg from the St. Petersburg Cruise Port
Large cruise ships dock at the Marine Facade passenger port on Vasilyevsky Island, a 15-minute taxi ride from the historic city center. Shore excursions generally include port pickup and drop-off, but there's also a local bus (#158) that departs the port to the nearest metro station, Primorskaya, every half an hour.
Port Information
The local currency is the ruble, and the local language is Russian. English is not widely spoken, so if you venture away from the port on your own, try to get the location written for you in Russian to give to a taxi driver when returning. ATMs can be found at the cruise terminal and will likely provide the best exchange rate. The port also boasts a tourist information booth, WiFi, vending machines, and souvenir shops.
Address: St Petersburg, Russia
From $ 30
St Tryphon Cathedral
One of only two Roman Catholic cathedrals in Montenegro, the Romanesque twin-towered cathedral of St Tryphon (Sveti Tripun) is found in the delightful alleyways of Kotor Old Town and dedicated to the patron saint of the town. Standing on the site of an older church built in the seventh century by Andrija Saracenis to house the relics of Tryphon, the cathedral was consecrated in 1166 but thanks to a series of earthquakes, it has had several incarnations down the centuries. Today’s façade dates from 1667, when the Baroque bell towers were added, but the interior still remains an homage to Romanesque architecture. The vaulted roof is criss-crossed with tiny bricks and supported by pink brick pillars as well as marble columns, forming a three-aisle nave. There are 14th-century frescoes on the walls of the cathedral and a wooden crucifix in the reliquary chapel dates from 1288; here lie the relics of several saints, including Tryphon’s hand encased in silver. The cathedral’s biggest draw, however, is the silver-and-gold screen featuring a range of saints that covers the main altar; this is considered the most precious religious artifact in Montenegro and is topped with a stone carving depicting the life of St Tryphon.
Practical Info
Trg Sv Tripuna, Kotor Old Town. Admission €2.50; opening times daily 8am–7pm. Kotor is easily accessed from Dubrovnik in Croatia in two hours along the D8 Adriatic motorway.
Address: Trg Sv Tripuna, Kotor, Kotor Municipality, Montenegro 85330, Montenegro
Hours: Daily 8am–7pm
Admission: €2.50
From $ 12
St. Anthony's Basilica (Basilica of St Anthony)
Topped by soaring domes and spires, the Basilica of Saint Anthony is the most important church in Padua and is visited by pilgrims from across the globe. With its mix of Romanesque, Byzantine, and Gothic architecture, and rounded domes reminiscent of St. Mark’s Basilica in nearby Venice, this church is one of Padua’s top attractions.
The Basics
Built during the 13th century, the Basilica of Saint Anthony includes in its design the small pre-existing church where St. Anthony was buried. Inside, notable artworks include 14th-century frescoes by Altichiero da Zevio, an ornate 16th-century candelabrum by Andrea Briosco, and bronze statues by Donatello. Saint Anthony’s body was originally entombed in the Madonna Mora Chapel; today his tongue and jaw bone are displayed in elaborate gold reliquaries, and the rest of his remains are in the Chapel of St. Anthony.
The basilica is included in small-group Padua tours or day trips from nearby Venice, along with other main attractions in Padua like the Scrovegni Chapel—with frescoes by Giotto—and elegant Prato della Valle square.
Things to Know Before You Go
- If you join a walking tour of Padua, opt for comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
- Photography is not allowed in the church.
- The basilica is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
- Visitors must wear modest attire that covers knees and shoulders.
- Restrooms are located off the Blessed Luca Belludi Cloister.
- A shop located off the Magnolia Cloister sells religious articles and books about the life of Saint Anthony.
How to Get There
The Basilica of Saint Anthony is in Padua’s historic center, an easy walk from the city’s train station and main Prato della Valle square.
When to Get There
The feast day of Saint Anthony is celebrated each year on June 13 with special Masses and services. Pilgrims from across the world gather at Padua’s basilica to honor the beloved Franciscan friar, making the month of June a crowded but special time to visit the basilica.
Highlights of the Basilica of Saint Anthony Complex
In addition to the church, you can tour the adjacent Franciscan Friary and its five cloisters: the Paradise Cloister, the Novitiate Cloister, the Magnolia Cloister, the General Cloister, and the Museum (or Blessed Luke Belludi) Cloister. From the Museum Cloister, you can tour the basilica’s Anthonian Museum and the Museum of Popular Devotion; in the General Cloister, you can see a Multimedia Exhibition on the life of St. Anthony.
Address: Piazza del Santo, 11, Padua 35123, Italy
From $ 1,662
St Rupert's Church
Vienna’s oldest church was made from stone taken from the ancient Roman settlement of Vindabona and was originally Romanesque in design, with its origins reaching as far back as 740 AD. It has a dumpy and largely unprepossessing exterior that dates from the 12th century, although it has been destroyed by fire and repeatedly enlarged down the centuries. It is dedicated to St Rupert, who is (confusingly) the patron saint of Salzburg and also connected with salt mining, which was big business around Salzburg in the Middle Ages.
The simple interior is whitewashed with a simple stone altar, quite unadorned with the exceptions of the vast brass Baroque crucifix and the exquisite stained-glass windows dating from the 1990s, when the church was restored. However, one window has survived from the 13th century and it is found in the vaulted apse, depicting Christ on the cross with the Madonna and Child standing below.
A series of atmospheric concerts of ancient music take place in the church over the summer, with evening performances in July.
Practical Info
Ruprechtsplatz 1. Open Mon & Fri 10am–12 noon, 3pm–5pm; Tue & Thurs 10am–12 noon; Sat 11am–1pm. Admission is free. Metro U1 or U4 to Schwedenplatz.
Address: Ruprechtsplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
Hours: Vary
From $ 61