What is the biggest church in the world? The top 10 list
Churches are important buildings in communities not just because they are used as houses of worship but also because they add an aesthetic value to their location. Old churches are especially eye-catchy as the designs used when constructing them were unique and spectacular. Europe is known for the most striking and biggest church in the world. Many of the churches built during the renaissance era still stand firm, hosting many worshippers and tourists.
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Many of the world's largest churches built in the middle ages have been added to UNESCO world heritage sites because of the beautiful architecture and ancient valuables like paintings and statues that they host. The world’s biggest churches are mainly in Europe, Latin America and North America.
10 biggest churches in the world
Large churches around the world represent impressive architectural styles and many sacred materials. They also carry the largest floor area. Here are the top 10 biggest churches in the world.
1. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
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Is the Vatican the largest church in the world? Yes, it is. Apart from its fine architecture, the church is also one of the most-visited sites in all of Rome. Initially built in 320 AD by Emperor Constantine, St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is a unique church not just to Catholics but many believers across the globe.
It is the largest church in the world with an internal area of 15,160 square meters and has a capacity of 60,000. The beautiful central dome of the cathedral rises to 136 meters high.
2. Basilica Of The National Shrine Of Our Lady Of Aparecida, Aparecida, Brazil
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This magnificent house of worship has an internal area of 12,000 square meters. With a capacity of 45,000, this Basilica stands as one of the most visited churches in Brazil. It is also the most important Marian pilgrimage centre in Brazil, located in Aparecida. The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida towers rise to 102 meters, and its dome is 70 meters high.
3. Seville Cathedral, Seville, Spain
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What is the largest cathedral in the world? Seville Cathedral, Seville, Spain, is the biggest cathedral in the world. Seville Cathedral is renowned to many not just because of its physical features but also because it is the final resting place of the famous Genoese explorer Christopher Columbus.
It is not just a house of worship but also a tourist spot. Seville Cathedral is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. With most of its interior having golden decorations, an internal area of 11,520 square meters and the central nave standing 42 meters high, the cathedral gets to be a sight to behold.
4. Cathedral Of Saint John The Divine, New York, America
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What is the biggest church in America? The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York, America, is one of the world largest churches and the biggest in the United States. Lovers of Gothic architecture would love to visit this cathedral over and over. The large rose window made of 10,000 pieces of coloured stained glass is not only the most beautiful thing as the cathedral has bronze and special metals in decoration.
The interior and exterior are stunning, with the cathedral having an internal area of 11,200 square meters. This is the largest Anglican cathedral in the world and the fifth-largest stained-glass window globally, and the largest in America.
5. Milan Cathedral, Milan, Italy
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Milan Cathedral was built for close to 500 years, and the original construction began in 1386. Milan Cathedral has an internal area of 10,186 square meters. This is the biggest church in the world and the second-largest Catholic cathedral globally, and one of the many impressive cathedrals that have Gothic designs. The capacity of Milan Cathedral is 40,000. The cathedral also houses a collection of sculptures and paintings.
6. Basilica of Our Lady of Lichen, Konin, Poland
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Unlike many of the largest churches in the world, the Basilica of Our Lady of Lichen was not constructed in the early or middle ages. The construction of the church started in 1994 and was completed in 2004. It has an internal area of 10,090 square meters and a height of 141.2 meters.
The church’s features are interestingly made, with the Basilica’s 33 steps leading towards the church representing the early life of Jesus, 365 windows, 52 doors and 12 columns symbolizing the number of days and weeks in a year and 12 apostles, respectively.
7. Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Liverpool Cathedral is one of the world biggest churches and one of the most stunning cathedrals in Britain. The house of worship has an internal area of 9,687 square meters. The church's construction started in 1904 and proceeded through the following years.
Liverpool Cathedral was consecrated in 1978. Apart from the decorations, this cathedral stands out as the church with the largest operational church organ globally; 10,268 pipes grand organ.
8. The Basilica of the Holy Trinity, Santarem, Portugal
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With an internal area of 8,700 square meters, the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, the Roman Catholic church and the minor Basilica in the Sanctuary of Fátima in Cova da Iria stands as one of the worlds biggest churches in Portugal. Notable church features include a modern oval design, 44 confessionaries, and several chapels. The capacity of The Basilica of the Holy Trinity is 9,000.
9. Basilica of Our Lady of Pillar, Aragon, Spain
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Basilica of Our Lady of Pillar has an internal area of 8,318 square meters, with four impressive towers and eleven domes in the church. This Basilica, known as The El Pilar Basilica in the Argon community of Spain, is the first-ever church dedicated to Virgin Mary. Legend has it that Virgin Mary appeared to Apostle Saint James while he was in prayer on the bank of Ebro river in the Iberian Peninsula of Spain.
10. Ulm Minster, Ulm, Germany
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The German church has an area of 8,260 square meters. The construction of Ulm Minster commenced in 1377 but stopped after a few years. The church was completed in 1890. Ulm Minster is the tallest church in the world. It adapts Gothic architecture and has unique designs inside and outside the church. To reach the top of the church, one has to go up 768 steps.
Reading about the history of these churches and how they were constructed is fascinating. Some of the biggest churches in the world took decades to complete, while others took centuries. The completion, however, brought stunning buildings that are now used as tourist spots for travellers across the world.
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Source: Briefly News
