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Since the foundation of Great Lavra in 963, Mount Athos became the epicentre of the Orthodox faith. For centuries, the "Holy Mountain" has been home to the oldest monastic community in the world, consisting of 20 monasteries, which still operate under a self-governing regime despite being on Greek territory. Of these, 17 are Greek, 1 Serbian and 1 Russian. Here are some of the most notable monasteries on Mount Athos.

The art of tile-making arrived in Portugal with the Arabs in the 13th century. The Portuguese preserved and developed this art, which centuries later adorns railway stations, squares and sacred buildings. Here are some of the most fascinating examples of tile work in churches.

Veszprém is known for being home to the first and oldest diocese in Hungary. Many of its sacred sites are linked to royalty, especially to Queen Gisela who considered this her favourite city. Of Germanic origin, Gisela of Hungary was the first queen consort of the country and a key figure in the Christianisation of its people. Here are six places of worship to visit in Veszprém, the city of queens!

As early as the 13th century, Lund became not only the seat of the archbishop of Scandinavia, but also a thriving religious centre of the expanding Christianity in the North of Europe. In the wake of the Reformation and as Malmo grew, most of the medieval churches in Lund gradually disappeared. Nevertheless, some of its sacred buildings are today landmarks of contemporary Lund.

Vasil Levski is referred to as the ‘Apostle of Freedom' by Bulgarians, a revolutionary man who in 1862 began a campaign to free Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. Levski spent a lot of time outside the country, but when in Bulgaria he found shelter in monasteries to hide in while planning his next action. These are some Bulgarian monasteries linked to the national hero.

On the shores of the Black Sea lies the city of Odesa. Founded on the land of a former Tatar settlement, the city prospered in the 19th century thanks to its strategic location by the sea. Following the Soviet occupation of Ukraine, many of its historic buildings were destroyed and later reconstructed in the 1990s, when the country gained its independence. The historic centre of Odesa has been a delightful display of eastern and western architectural influences ever since, including its sacred buildings.

The construction of Bucharest's largest and best-known avenue in the 1980’s nearly obliterated dozens of centuries-old churches. Fortunately, the timely response of civil engineer Eugeniu Iordachescu, ”the engineer of heaven”, saved many of them from destruction. Iordachescu devised a system whereby the churches could be lifted from their foundations and relocated by rail tracks to a safe place without having to be dismantled. Pay attention when you visit Bucharest because you may find these saved churches where you least expect them.

Sacred sites are magnificent works of art, and their grandeur is often hard to ignore. In some cases, the grandeur of these buildings is determined not only by their unique features but also by their dimensions. The following Orthodox cathedrals and churches are excellent examples of this.

In the 19th century, the emergent Jewish community needed an architectural style that matched their growing wealth. the Moorish style, which originated in Spain when the country was under Islamic rule, and its oriental elements became popular throughout Europe. Domes and horseshoe arches began to abound in the newly built synagogues until the early 20th century. Here are some of the best examples of Moorish revival synagogues across Europe.

From the Moorish mosques of Andalus to the Ottoman mosques of the Balkans, these centuries-old temples are part of European history. Some have been converted or adapted for other uses, and others are still active temples, but all of them bear witness to the succession of cultures and beliefs and the mixture of artistic and architectural styles. Embark with us on a journey through the oldest and most fascinating mosques in Europe.