Explore Religious Heritage Across Europe

Built in a time of dissent and persecution, this unique secluded chapel was designed to look like a farmyard barn in order to avoid being discovered. Built in 1701 and refurbished in 1840, it has a modest interior and a rare open air baptistry in its grounds.

The Monopoli Cathedral was erected close to an ancient Roman temple and burial site. Work began in 1107 at the instigation of Archbishop Romualdo and with the support of Duke Robert of Hauteville. The Romanesque structure of the building was not completed until 1422, the year of its consecration. Two of the three bell towers were damaged in 1528 during the siege of the city by Alfonso d'Avalos, and collapsed in the 17th century. In 1738, the old building was razed to the ground and a new church began to be built in 1742 under the direction of Pietro Magarelli and Michele Colangiuli. The new building in neoclassical style was completed in 1772.

The Cathedral of Monreale is an important monument of Arab-Norman architecture, founded in 1174 by Sicilian King William II the Good. It is known for its magnificent cycle of mosaics on the themes of the Old and New Testament, from the XII century. In 2015, the building was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List.

The abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, founded in the 8th century, is a former Benedictine abbey located on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mont Saint-Michel. It is one of the biggest tourist attractions in France, one of its most recognizable cultural monuments.

The first place of worship in Montalcino, dedicated to the Santissimo Salvatore, was the Romanesque parish church of the same name, dating back to the 11th century. It was elevated to the rank of cathedral of the diocese of Montalcino when the latter was founded on 13 August 1462 by Pope Pius II. The old church was demolished and completely rebuilt between 1817 and 1834 in neoclassical style, designed by the architect Agostino Fantastici.

The cathedral of Montalto delle Marche was founded by Pope Sixtus V in 1586 and the existing church of Santa Maria ad collem was transformed into a temporary cathedral. The construction of a new, larger cathedral began on 30 May 1589 with the laying of the foundation stone: the architect of the initial plans was Girolamo Rainaldi. By the death of Pope Sixtus (1590), the crypt was almost finished, but there was still much to be done and the work took at least another century. At the end of the 17th century, the cathedral was made usable and services could begin in the new cathedral, although not yet completed.

The territorial abbey of Monte Cassino was founded by Benedict of Nursia in 529 on the site of an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo. It is the cradle of the Benedictine order. It served as a retreat for sovereigns and pontiffs such as the Frankish prince Carloman, brother of Pepin the Short, the Lombard king Ratchis, and Saint Gregory. Containing immense riches, including a precious library, it is partly placed under the protection of Rome, with a gallery of precious paintings. Throughout the Middle Ages, the abbey was a lively cultural centre thanks to its abbots, libraries, archives, writing and illumination schools, which transcribed and preserved many works of antiquity. The abbey was destroyed during the Second World War and was rebuilt identically from 1948 to 1956.

The convent and the baroque church of Santa Maria al Monte (entrusted to the Capuchin friars) is located on the Monte dei Cappuccini. The Baroque building dates from the late 16th century.

Montefiascone Cathedral was built when Pope Urban V instituted the Diocese of Montefiascone (14th century). The construction of the dome took place from 1670 following a terrible fire on the night of Good Friday which destroyed the roof of the cathedral and part of its interior. The dome, with a diameter of 27 metres, is one of the largest in Italy.

The Montefiore Synagogue in Ramsgate was built in 1831-32 by architect David Mocatta. The building was restored in 1912 and 1933. This brick building in the Neo-Classical style still serves as a synagogue.