The Most Striking Must-See Churches in the World 1

Las Lajas Cathedral, Columbia, South America

Las Lajas Sanctuary or Las Lajas Cathedral (El Santuario de Las Lajas or Cathedral de Las Lajas in Spanish) is a remarkable and an impressive cathedral built over a river gorge inside the canyon of the Guaitara River from January 1, 1916 to August 20, 1944. This cathedral is a neo-gothic sanctuary which is located in the southern Columbian Department of Nariño near Ipiales (close to Columbia's border with Ecuador) and it is named after a type of flat sedimentary rock called Laja which is similar to the floor tiles found in the Andes Mountains.

According to the local legend, in 1754 a woman who called herself Maria Mueces was carrying her deaf-mute daughter, Rosa on her back while walking near Las Lajas or The Rocks. They were caught in a very big storm. Maria then found a shelter in a cave above the Guaitara River, where she began to pray. To her surprise, Rosa spoke “the mestiza is calling me….” while pointing to the lightning illuminated painting over the Laja. An image of Virgin Mary was seen on an enormous vertical rock on one side of the gorge, 45m above the river. Over time this cave and the image became the site of numerous miraculous healings. Thereafter, every holy day of September 16, pilgrims particularly from Columbia and Ecuador come to visit this place.

Hallgrimskirkja, Ireland

The Hallgrímskirkja (the church of Hallgrímur) is the most famous, striking and largest church situated at the top of shopping street of Skolavordustigur and in the centre of Reykjavík, Iceland. It is 74.5 meters in height and thus it has the privilege to be the tallest building in Iceland. Its architecture is as similar as the style of Grundvig's of Copenhagen, Denmark, which was completed in 1926. This modern Nordic design of the church is the work of State Architect Guðjón Samúelsson who also designed Landakotskirkja in Reykjavík and Akureyrarkirkju in Akureyri. The church took 38 years to completely construct (1945-86) while the landmark tower took longer period to be completed before the church's actual completion.

This Lutheran parish church is named after the Icelandic famous poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614- 1674) who is also popular for his artistic works of the Passíusálmar. Not only this man was a well-known poet and clergyman, but also he was popular as one of the most influential pastors during the Age of Orthodoxy. He was said to contribute significant efforts to the Lutheran hymnody.

At 74.5 metres (244ft), Hallgrímskirkja is the fourth tallest building in Iceland after the architectural buildings of Smáratorg Tower, Eiðar Longwave Transmitter, and Longwave Radio Mast Hellisandur. The tower which provides excellent views all over Reykjavík can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. Hence, it has become one of the best known and main landmarks of Reykjavík. Despite of this, it has become a must visit place of Iceland.

In front of the church is a statue of Leif Eríkson, aka "Leif the Lucky", an Icelandic/Norwegian explorer and who is believed to be the first European to discover America around 1,000 A.D. This statue was a gift from the United States on the 1930 Althing Millennial Festival of Iceland's parliament, which marked the 1000th anniversary to the oldest Free Governmental Assembly in the world, Iceland's Althing.

Inside, the church houses a huge pipe organ (1992) by the German organbuilder Johannes Klais of Bonn. It has mechanical action, four manuals and pedal, 102 ranks, 72 stops and 5275 pipes. It is 15 metres tall and weighs 25 tons. As recorded by Christopher Herrick in his Organ Fireworks VII, this 15-meter-tall and 25-ton-heavier construction was finished in December 1992. There is also an eight-floor bell tower with some of the city's best views. A visitor can access to the observation deck by taking an elevator to view Reykjavík and the surrounding mountains.

Jubilee Church, Rome

The Jubilee Church (formally known as Dio Padre Misericordioso) is a new paradigm for an international church and community center designed by Richard Meier & Partners. According to Richard Meier, its American architect, it is “the crown jewel of the Vicariato di Roma's (Archdiocese of Rome) Millennium project.” The Jubilee Church is not a traditional church but it is always thought to be an iconic landmark of contemporary architecture in one of the world's most historic cities of Rome. “With the Jubilee Church, we have worked to create a new Roman Catholic church for the 21st century - a landmark that upholds and builds upon the city's rich architectural tradition,” says Richard Meier, FAIA. The Jubilee Church, known in Italian as La Chiesa del Dio Padre Misericordioso (God our merciful father), is always regarded as one of the 50th new churches with community centers constructed throughout the suburbs of Rome as part of the Vatican's Millennium project.