Cathedrals of the World

by Graziella Leyla Ciaga

A useful resource for architecture students, travelers, and anyone interested in our religious heritage, this volume documents the world's most important cathedrals from their early Christian, Romanesque, and Gothic origins through their evolution during the Renaissance and Baroque periods to the styles of the modern age. Spanning the globe, the monuments in this volume have been selected for their exceptional historical value, aesthetic attributes, and architectural significance. From St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, which was constructed in 1050, to the 2003 opening of Richard Meier's Jubilee Church in Rome, these churches embody a vast range of architectural styles. Full-color photographs vividly convey the colorful turban-shaped domes of St. Basil in Moscow, the ornate stone carvings and gargoyles of Notre Dame, and the opulent frescoes and gold gilt ceiling of St. Mark's Basilica. The photography also evokes the unique qualities of the settings of each cathedral, whether situated in the middle of a bustling city square or in a more remote natural setting. From Philip Johnson's Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, to London's Westminster Cathedral to Helsinki Cathedral in Finland, this book demonstrates the awe-inspiring architecture and interiors that make these churches world treasures.

Genres: Nonfiction

216 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2006

Reviews

[Vanessa M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice art coffee table style book from the 1990s depicting cathedrals from early Romanesque and Gothic origins to modern twentieth century designs. The photographs are stunning. Many architectural terms are used in describing the cathedrals--a dictionary at hand may be useful for those like me who are unfamiliar with many terms.

This was the last book my brother purchased before he passed back in 2007. I read it over the week of his birthday as a way to honor his memory.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cathedrals are often the truest representation of the architecture of the time and location they were built. Sometimes, and thankfully a minority of the times, they are truly monstrous combinations of the worst architecture has to offer.

People build cathedrals as the ultimate glorification of their faith. Whether it is Robert Schueller's Crystal Cathedral or the gothic cathedrals of Europe, cathedrals represent organized religion to followers.

This is a beautiful book and I would recommend it to those interested in architecture and history.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume is loaded with beautiful photographs, many breath-taking. I liked that this book spans "Early Christian" to "Twentieth Century" architecture. Even though there are a number of floor plans sketched here, there are relatively few details about the floor plans, and in some cases there are no floor plans at all. And oddly, the actual text discussing each cathedral here is much too light (as in dark/light) to read comfortably. Still, this is one to keep on the coffee table.

[Amanda Sloan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The photos are stunning and awe inspiring. However, it would be helpful if you knew about architecture when reading this book, otherwise you may be a little lost. The author throws out architecture term after architecture term and doesn't stop to explain what any of them mean.
Also, the modern architecture (the last chapter) just made me sad - churches were SO beautiful and the newer ones shown in the book are just ugly in comparison.