32 Beautiful Places of Worship Will Certainly Take Your Breath Away.

For some people, going to church sounds like a dreaded chore. But perhaps if you knew you’re going to one of these breathtaking houses of worship, you’ll probably a bit more excited.

The beauty and uniqueness of the architecture of these churches are intended to be admired by all. Check out the photos below and see for yourself:

#1. Taktsang Palphug Monastery in Bhutan.

This Buddhist sacred site hangs from a cliff about 3000 feet up and is also known as the Tiger’s Nest.

#2. Monastery of Santa María Magdalena in Spain.

#3. Milan Cathedral in Italy.

This Gothic cathedral is located on the main square of Milan and is the second largest Catholic cathedral in the world. It took over 500 years to “complete” the construction, but some uncarved blocks still remain to be turned into sculpture.

#4. Church of the Assumption in Slovenia.

This church is located on one of the only islands in all of Slovenia. You must get their by boat and then climb the 99 stone stairs to reach the famous church and bell tower.

#5. United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel in Colorado.

#6. Shipka Memorial Church in Bulgaria.

The 170-foot-tall bell tower holds a total of 17 bells, the largest of which weighs 12 tons.

#7. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the United Arab Emirates.

It isn’t called grand for nothing. This mosque can hold around 40,000 worshipers, features 82 domes, over a 1000 columns, and the world’s largest hand knotted carpet.

#8. Paoay Church in the Philippines.

This is one of the few remaining Baroque churches in the country and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

#9. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Australia.

Everyone knows the St. Patrick’s in New York, but this is the tallest and largest church building in all of Australia.

#10. Church of Saint Elizabeth in Slovakia.

Know as the Blue Church for obvious reasons, pretty much everything is blue from pews to the roof.

#11. Cardboard Cathedral in New Zealand.

This temporary church was built after the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand damaged the city’s cathedral. It is made from almost 100 cardboard tubes and 8 shipping containers. It is expected to last for at least 50 years, long enough for a permanent cathedral to be built.

#12. Basílica de Higüey in the Dominican Republic.

This church is known for its representations of oranges, symbolic of the nearby orange grove where a vision of the Virgin Mary has become legend. There’s a shrine depicting an orange tree and stained-glass windows with cutouts shaped like oranges.

#13. Church of the Transfiguration in Russia.

The 22-domed church is about 120 feet tall and made entirely of wood making it one of the tallest log structures in the world.

#14. Green Church in Argentina.

#15. Saint Andrew’s Church in Ukraine.

The church is situated on a steep hill and has a wonderful view of Kiev. It is said that when St. Andrew came across the hill, he immediately took out a cross and placed it in that exact position.

#16. San Diego California Temple.

#17. Crystal Mosque in Malaysia.

Located on a man-made island and opened in 2008, this mosque is made of steel and glass, which gives it a crystal-like appearance.

#18. Graaff-Reinet Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa.

The church is right in the center of town and it’s the fourth church to be built on the same spot. It is said to be one of the best examples of early Gothic style architecture in South Africa.

#19. Mount Popa Monastery in Myanmar.

Sitting on top of a volcanic plug at almost 2500 feet above sea level, the monastery is accessible by climbing a flight of 777 steps. But keep an eye out for the hundreds of monkeys that might go for any food in your bags while you climb.

#20. Kul Sharif Mosque in Russia.

#21. The Little Chapel in the Channel Islands.

This is possibly the smallest chapel in the world and is beautifully and ornately decorated with seashells, pebbles, and colourful pieces of broken china. Take a tour of the tiny insides here.

#22. Church of Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem.

This Russian Orthodox church is a distinctive Jerusalem landmark with its seven golden domes sparkle in the Sun on the Mount of Olives.

#23. Annunciation Cathedral in Ukraine.

#24. Lotus Temple in India.

To the people of India, the lotus flower signifies purity and peace. This is one of the most visited buildings in the world.

#25. Collegiate Church of Our Lady in Belgium.

#26. Church of Hallgrímur in Iceland.

The construction of the largest church in Iceland began in 1945 and took nearly 38 years to complete.

#27. The Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

Built in the early 1600s, this mosque is known for its cascading domes and the 6 minarets. Most mosques have at most 4.

#28. Saint Michael’s Cathedral in Ukraine.

#29. Trinity Church in Antarctica.

This Russian Orthodox church was built in Russia in the 1990s and then transported all the way to the Russian Antarctic station. It is one of only 7 churches on Antarctica.

#30. St. Basil’s Cathedral in Russia.

Located in Russia’s Red Square, this cathedral was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible and built in the mid 1500s.

#31. Borgund Stave Church in Norway.

Built around 1180, this is Norway’s oldest timber building and one of the most well-known of their beautiful, wooden Stave Churches.

#32. Las Lajas Sanctuary in Colombia.

This neo-Gothic style church is near the border with Ecuador and sits on a bridge 150 feet high over the river below.