Style by century
Romanesque (1000–1200), Gothic (1200–1500), Renaissance (1400–1600), Baroque (1600–1750), Modernisme (1880–1930). Each has flagship cathedrals — visiting all together demands cross-Europe travel.
Cologne — Gothic
Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) — 632 years to build, twin spires 157m tall (briefly tallest building in world 1880-1884). Free entry to nave; €8 climb tower. UNESCO. Altstadt walking distance.
Strasbourg — Gothic
Strasbourg Cathédrale Notre-Dame — pink sandstone, single spire 142m (tallest building in world 1647-1874). Astronomical clock daily 12:30pm. Free.
Florence — Renaissance
Florence Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) — Brunelleschi's dome (1436) the engineering miracle. Climb 463 steps for cupola view. Reservations mandatory; €25–60.
Sevilla — Gothic + Renaissance hybrid
Sevilla Cathedral — largest Gothic cathedral in the world by volume. Built on former mosque foundations. Giralda bell tower originally a minaret. €13.
Saint Peter's Rome — Renaissance/Baroque
Rome Saint Peter's Basilica (1626) — Bramante, Michelangelo, Bernini collaborated across decades. Dome 136m. Free entry but security queue 30–60 min. Plus Pieta sculpture.
Barcelona — Modernisme
Barcelona Sagrada Família — Gaudí's still-unfinished masterpiece (begun 1882, completion 2026 target). Reservations mandatory; €33–48. UNESCO. Combined with Park Güell + Casa Batlló for full Gaudí day.
Milan — Gothic spires
Milan Duomo (1386–1965 — completed in 6 centuries). 135 spires, 3,400+ statues. Rooftop walk among spires €20. Italy's largest church.
Chartres — Gothic stained glass
Chartres Cathedral (covered in our stained-glass guide). Day-trip from Paris.
Salamanca — old + new cathedral combo
Salamanca has Old Cathedral (Romanesque-Gothic) and New Cathedral (Gothic-Baroque) connected — view 800 years of architecture in one walk.
Strategy
Visit early morning (8–9am) for empty interiors. Most cathedrals close midday for services. Photography permitted (no flash) most cathedrals. Combined city + cathedral itineraries. Stained glass companion.