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THE old
churches in Europe have stood behind many revolutions
and democratic changes. Visits to European cities are
always marked with visits to these stunning monoliths on
faith and learning the glorious history behind them.
With the modern changes in
Europe, seldom do we now see huge crowds attending mass in these
churches. Thankfully, there are our Filipino workers who
always fill the empty chairs of these historical
landmarks on Sundays.
Saint
Paul’s Cathedral in
London
THE
children’s choir will make you feel like you’ve died and
gone to heaven with angels singing all around you.
The
cathedral is dedicated to
Saint Paul
and situated in the world’s most industrialized city.
The cathedral dates back to 604 A.D. The current
cathedral is the fourth to occupy the site after it was
destroyed in the Great Fire of London.
The
stunning structure is designed by the famous British
architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675
and 1710. Important services held here include the
wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana
Spencer on July 29, 1981.
Notre
Dame de Paris
THERE
are long queues in front of the cathedral as tourists
flock to see one of the most famous examples of French
Gothic architecture.
The
cathedral was constructed between 1160 and 1250, but
suffered extensive damages during the radical French
Revolution in the 1790s. The cathedral was restored to
its original glorious state during the 19th century.
The
Hunchback of Notre Dame by French novelist Victor Hugo
sparked renewed interest in the cathedral in the early
19th century as people opposed plans to demolish the
structure.
Berlin Dom in Germany
THE
Lutheran cathedral was built between 1895 and 1905. The
structure suffered extensive damages during the Second
World War when it was bombed by Allied forces. The
restoration began in 1984 and officially reopened in
1993. Across the church is a museum for
Germany’s
most admired genius Albert Einsten.
Oude
Kerk in
Delft, the
Netherlands
THIS
admirable Gothic church is located in the old city
center of Delft, south of the Netherlands. Delft is near
The Hague and Rotterdam, and its famous churches and
canals were popularized in Tracy Chevalier’s
best-selling novel Girl with the Pearl Earring. Built in
1246, the high brick tower, formerly known as Saint
Bartholomew’s Church, leans about two meters from the
vertical.
Eglise
Notre Dame du Sablon in Brussels, Belgium
THE old
Gothic church in
Brussels
was built between the 15th and 16th centuries. The
structure is noted for its four-fold gallery with
brightly colored stained-glass windows. Near the church
is the statue of Saint Hubert, which captured the
interests of many when it was stolen from Brussels and
taken to Antwerp. The statue was seized and returned to
the church in 1348.
Cathedral of Saint Michael and Gudula in Brussels, Belgium
THE
cathedral is a popular Catholic church in Belgium where
around 3,000 Filipinos, mostly working in hotels and
restaurants in Brussels, attend Mass on Sundays.
The
Cathedral of Saint Michael was established in 1047.
Later, the name of Saint Gudula was added after the
relics of the daughter of a 7th-century Carolingian
nobleman were transferred to the cathedral upon the
orders of the Duke of Brabant. All royal weddings and
christenings of Belgium take place here. |
