10 of the World’s Most Unusual Churches
Las Lajas Sanctuary, Ipiales, Colombia
It's not unusual for towns to spring up in the fertile valleys between rivers. But the Las Lajas Sanctuary in the small town of Ipiales, Colombia, put a huge, gorgeous church in a narrow canyon beside a river. Originally a place where there was a reported sighting of the Virgin Mary, there was a shrine in this space since the 1700s, with the current church built in the early 1900s.
Sedlec Ossuary, Kutná Hora, Czech Republic
Czechs are known for their love of the morbid: One Prague church where a would-be thief got his hand cut off still has the withered hand hanging from the ceiling. But few churches embrace spookiness more than the Sedlec Ossuary in Kutná Hora. Below the Roman Catholic Cemetery Church of All Saints, the bones of anywhere from 40,000-70,000 people, arranged in artistic combinations (including a large chandelier), now serve as macabre décor.
St. Francisco de Assisi Mission Church, Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, United States
Although it's officially called the San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church, many locals know this church simply as the Taos Pueblo church. It is made of adobe, like many of the traditional buildings of the surrounding area. It was eventually fortified with a layer of plaster to keep the building from falling apart, but the church is still re-mudded every year by the Native American community. The church has been photographed by Ansel Adams and painted by Georgia O'Keeffe; it's also designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
This Gaudi–designed church is a tour fixture for almost every visitor to Barcelona. But the man whose name inspired the word “gaudy” wasn't going to conceptualize some low-key neighborhood church. The Sagrada Familia (“Holy Family”) is one of the world's most debated works of architecture; some people love the dramatic Gothic–inspired spires and columns, while others consider them an eyesore. One thing is clear: This monumental structure, due to be completed on the centenary of Gaudi's death in 2026, cannot be ignored.
Cathedral of Brasilia, Cathedral of Brasilia
Is it a bouquet of flowers? A sunburst? A UFO? No matter what you see in the 16 concrete pillars that make up this cathedral in Brazil’s capital, you have to admit it’s a striking bit of architecture. The cathedral, designed by famed architect Oscar Niemeyer, is dedicated to Mary and a column at the entrance depicts scenes from her life. But that isn’t the only artistic feature inside the building: There are four bells, a reflecting pool, and sculptures of angels that hang from a stained-glass ceiling.
Church of Hallgrímur, Reykjavik, Iceland
Like a Taylor Swift song, this church—the sixth tallest structure in the entire country—is all about the drama. Designed to resemble the basalt lava that flows in Iceland, the church looks like a strong upside-down V made of tall, thin white beams. Even though the exterior is striking, make sure you visit the inside as well. There’s an Alexander Stirling Calder (father of mobile-maker Alexander Calder) sculpture of the famous explorer Leif Eriksson and an observatory at the top where you can get breathtaking views of Reykjavik.
Harajuku Church, Tokyo, Japan
The hyper-trendy Harajuku district of Tokyo is better known for its street style scene than for its religious structures. But you can take a break from a busy day of shopping and visit this sleek, modernist Protestant church that opened in 2006. The design concept is based on the lucky number seven, so there are seven gently curving arches in the nave. The church also doubles as a concert hall, so the acoustics are impeccable.
Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki, Finland
Temppeliaukio Church, better known as the Rock Church or Church of the Rock, might be the only church in the world that could be easily mistaken for a planetarium. It's a mix of ancient and modern, with walls hewn from natural on-site stone formations and a roof made of brilliant copper. And those traditional church bells are nowhere in sight: Instead, the sound of clanging is coming from a recording played on a loop and blasted from speakers.
Cadet Chapel, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado
It seems logical that the chapel at the United States Air Force Academy would be inspired by airplanes. But architect Walter Netsch took that basic idea and created something truly incredible, pointing the plane shape upward to create something inspired by classic cathedrals and yet wholly its own. The 17-spire building was completed in 1963 and named a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2004.
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Iglesia El Rosario, San Salvador, El Salvador
The best time to visit Iglesia el Rosario, or the Church of the Rosary, in central San Salvador, is on a sunny day. At the right angle, the light hits the fan-like roof and its multicolored glass, creating a brilliant rainbow effect.