Cathedrals, churches and chapels, are always fascinating and has a certain mystery to it. In each village the will be not less than 5 chapels or churches within. Some maybe me simple structures but most of them are beautifully designed and engineered. But there is also a few that are more unique than the others. Read through the most unusual churches in Europe.
Chapelle Saint-Quirin, Luxembourg
This small medieval chapel is perched in a rocky wall of the Petrusse Valley hidden amongst the trees and vines. Built for the Patron Saint of Luxembourg Ville, Saint Quirin of Neuss, but was said to be an early sanctuary for Romans. Up to today there is a natural spring water that flows beneath the chapel and was said to be a cure for eye diseases.
Felsenkirche, Germany
This church nestled on the side of a rocky cliff is a landmark of the city of Idar-Oberstein. A legend once told of 2 princes who loved the same beautiful maiden and eventually one of them killed the other by throwing his brother 165 feet below the castle. As an atonement for his sin, a catholic priest told him to build a church in the spot where the prince died. Fact or fiction, this beautiful church is a 230 steps up and has a panoramic view of the little town below. It houses an extraordinary crucifix made of agate, a historic organ and a Gothic baptism stone.
Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe Chapel, France
Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe, which translates to St. Michael on a needle, is the starting point of the Via Podiensis pilgrimage route attracting thousands of pilgrims annually. To reach the top of this 269 feet extinct volcano you have to go up the 268 steps, which surprisingly is not hard to climb since there are benches for resting along the way. Impressive architecture, stained glass windows and a calming and peaceful atmosphere atop are just enough to make you meditate and reflect.
Santuario di San Besso, Italy
This solemn sanctuary in a not so famous part of Italy is built under the cliff called Monte Fautenio. Every 10th of August, pilgrims swarm this hidden chapel to join the procession wherein they carry the statue of their patron saint, Saint Besso around the monolith that has seen the martyrdom of the saint.
Meteora Monasteries, Greece
Built precipitously aloft giant rock formations, are not just one but six monasteries, two for nuns and four for monks. Meteora translates to “hovering in the air” and as the name of the place suggests, these spiritual place is high up in the air almost among the heavens.