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Sacred Spaces: The Awe-Inspiring Architecture of Churches and Cathedrals
From St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to Notre-Dame in Paris, Christian churches represent some of our most significant architectural achievements, designed to evoke wonder and awe. Offering unprecedented access to a collection of revered religious landmarks, photographer Guillaume de Laubier takes readers on a stunning architectural tour. Sacred Spaces showcases breathtaking photographs of extraordinary churches and cathedrals, revealing original, illuminating views of icons, such as la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, while also shedding light on lesser-known sites, such as Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. Whether Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox; made of wood, stone, concrete, or glass; Roman, Gothic, Baroque, or modern, the places of worship featured in this richly produced volume present an extraordinary overview of our architectural and cultural history.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published October 16, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 22, 2020
All in all, rather lackluster and (ironically) uninspiring.
The photography was hit or miss. Some of it was amazing in composition, lighting, etc., and some of it was shot from weird Dutch angles, not as well-lit, or curious in terms of the subject matter. The selection was an interesting mix, including some less well-known sites. I liked the descriptions, but the sum total was a lukewarm "it's okay, not great".
The photography was hit or miss. Some of it was amazing in composition, lighting, etc., and some of it was shot from weird Dutch angles, not as well-lit, or curious in terms of the subject matter. The selection was an interesting mix, including some less well-known sites. I liked the descriptions, but the sum total was a lukewarm "it's okay, not great".
June 23, 2021
Beautiful, color, full-page photographs. My only there is that the pages aren't even larger. As far as the text is concerned, it's full of cool, little, interesting tidbits, but not super detailed.
May 5, 2019
Nice photographs of a decent selection of churches of various styles and eras from many (but not all) parts of Europe. There are some famous churches in here (e.g. Notre Dame de Paris, King's College Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Sagrada Familia, etc.), but more interesting are the less famous churches that are still lavishly decorated in their own unique styles, like the stave churches of Norway.
(The only thing I didn't like were the modern or minimalist churches in here--ugh! What depressing interiors. I guess they wanted to represent the full diversity of architectural and artistic styles across the continent, but to me, their lack of adornment seems to mirror the spiritual deadness of the modern era.)
(The only thing I didn't like were the modern or minimalist churches in here--ugh! What depressing interiors. I guess they wanted to represent the full diversity of architectural and artistic styles across the continent, but to me, their lack of adornment seems to mirror the spiritual deadness of the modern era.)
January 17, 2019
Gorgeous images of beautiful churches from around Europe with good information to help the reader learn some of the stories behind these masterpieces.
March 14, 2019
Awesome, in the real sense. Here are gorgeous photographs of familiar and less-familiar churches and cathedrals of Europe, with the perfect amount of writing about each building.
February 13, 2020
There’s no denying that the most beautiful man-made spaces have been built in the name of religion. This one focuses on the interior and exterior of the most beautiful Christian churches (Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox), primarily (entirely?) at European locations. Primarily a gorgeous coffee-table book, but the brief text for each church is also informative. Particularly loved the giant wooden churches.
January 2, 2024
Although Christianity is on the wane throughout Europe, it seems to be gaining in intensity - perhaps in terms of authenticity - what it loses in numbers.
For a long time, places of worship were on the forefront of architectural creation. When civil society was still building massive castles, the church was inventing elaborate Gothic vaults and enormous stained glass windows that magnified the changing light of seasons. Later, the Counter-Reformation launched the Baroque style, which would dominate art throughout the 17th century, and support the greatest painters and architects, including Bernini, Rubens and Caravaggio, providing them with the opportunity to execute the masterpieces we know. Where would great European art be without the enormous contribution of churches? From the 11th century to the 19th century, the construction of places of worship was one of the main engines of artistic activity, in terms of both creativity and commissioning.
The history of these public monuments is also the story of the human obsession with power, the affirmation of clerical authority, the display of urban wealth, and the competition between cities and pilgrimage sites. It incorporates an incredibly concentrated history of Christianity, ideas, techniques, class conflict, war, prete sion and pride, eschatological fear, dreams of forgiveness, redemption and hope of finally being admitted into paradise.
All churches are an act of faith - for a singular act to be so pure, absolute and shared by all. I believe in God and I believe in those who throughout the ages and in all places believed in Him. And it is that very feeling that often seizes the men and women who enter a church today, whether it is a Chapel tucked in the English countryside or the gigantic nave of a Spanish cathedral. Those daring architectures, those exhilarating frescoes, those humble or majestic sculptures all speak of the same, profound belief guiding the hand of builders and artists; it is the belief shared by congregants who found peace and refuge there. Each of these churches is a prayer that united all men and all women of all social classes together. And amid so much beauty, we are filled with emotion in thinking about the faithful millions who have come to these places over centuries to pray, plead and make manifest their infinite belief in that which gave their life meaning: the existence of God. Each of these churches is a temple not only to the greatest glory of the Christian God but also to the memory of the countless men and women who believed, and a beacon to those who continue to live lives enriched by faith.
1. St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
2. Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
3. Capella Palatina, Palermo
4. San Maurizio Al Monastero Maggiore, Milan
5. Church of the Gesù, Palermo
6. Cappella Sansevero, Naples
7. Le Thoronet Abbey, Le Thoronet - it is simple in construction, an exercise in pure geometry. It contains no technical feats. There is no decoration to distract a person from prayer, no excessively sculpted capitals.
8. Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
9. Chartres Cathedral, Chartres
10. The Royal Chapel of Versailles, Versailles
11. Santa Maria de Léon Cathedral, Léon
12. Seville Cathedral, Seville
13. Igreja de São Francisco, Porto
14. Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon
15. Igreja da Misericórdia, Chaves
16. Ulm Minister, Ulm
17. Ottobeuren Abbey, Ottobeuren
18. Church of St. Leopold, Vienna
19. Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels, Monte Tamaro
20. Ely Cathedral, Ely
21. Wells Cathedral, Wells
22. King's College Chapel, Cambridge
23. St. Paul's Cathedral, London
For a long time, places of worship were on the forefront of architectural creation. When civil society was still building massive castles, the church was inventing elaborate Gothic vaults and enormous stained glass windows that magnified the changing light of seasons. Later, the Counter-Reformation launched the Baroque style, which would dominate art throughout the 17th century, and support the greatest painters and architects, including Bernini, Rubens and Caravaggio, providing them with the opportunity to execute the masterpieces we know. Where would great European art be without the enormous contribution of churches? From the 11th century to the 19th century, the construction of places of worship was one of the main engines of artistic activity, in terms of both creativity and commissioning.
The history of these public monuments is also the story of the human obsession with power, the affirmation of clerical authority, the display of urban wealth, and the competition between cities and pilgrimage sites. It incorporates an incredibly concentrated history of Christianity, ideas, techniques, class conflict, war, prete sion and pride, eschatological fear, dreams of forgiveness, redemption and hope of finally being admitted into paradise.
All churches are an act of faith - for a singular act to be so pure, absolute and shared by all. I believe in God and I believe in those who throughout the ages and in all places believed in Him. And it is that very feeling that often seizes the men and women who enter a church today, whether it is a Chapel tucked in the English countryside or the gigantic nave of a Spanish cathedral. Those daring architectures, those exhilarating frescoes, those humble or majestic sculptures all speak of the same, profound belief guiding the hand of builders and artists; it is the belief shared by congregants who found peace and refuge there. Each of these churches is a prayer that united all men and all women of all social classes together. And amid so much beauty, we are filled with emotion in thinking about the faithful millions who have come to these places over centuries to pray, plead and make manifest their infinite belief in that which gave their life meaning: the existence of God. Each of these churches is a temple not only to the greatest glory of the Christian God but also to the memory of the countless men and women who believed, and a beacon to those who continue to live lives enriched by faith.
1. St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
2. Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
3. Capella Palatina, Palermo
4. San Maurizio Al Monastero Maggiore, Milan
5. Church of the Gesù, Palermo
6. Cappella Sansevero, Naples
7. Le Thoronet Abbey, Le Thoronet - it is simple in construction, an exercise in pure geometry. It contains no technical feats. There is no decoration to distract a person from prayer, no excessively sculpted capitals.
8. Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
9. Chartres Cathedral, Chartres
10. The Royal Chapel of Versailles, Versailles
11. Santa Maria de Léon Cathedral, Léon
12. Seville Cathedral, Seville
13. Igreja de São Francisco, Porto
14. Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon
15. Igreja da Misericórdia, Chaves
16. Ulm Minister, Ulm
17. Ottobeuren Abbey, Ottobeuren
18. Church of St. Leopold, Vienna
19. Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels, Monte Tamaro
20. Ely Cathedral, Ely
21. Wells Cathedral, Wells
22. King's College Chapel, Cambridge
23. St. Paul's Cathedral, London
January 11, 2019
I am not religious, I came to this book through a love of architecture and learning about the history of these building.
First, I want to say, the photography in this book was stunning. It really showcased the churches and cathedrals. I do want to point out a few things that struck me as being glaringly left out. Beginning with the fact no churches or cathedrals from Asia, Australia, North or South America were in this book. It was just Europe. To me, you can't really call this book "an extraordinary overview of our cultural history" if it is so limiting. Second, well known features in some of the churches, like Chartres' Labyrinth for example, were not even mentioned.
While what was included in this book was gorgeously displayed, it lacked some key details
Some of my favorite churches and cathedrals in this book:
Church of the Gesu, Italy - The mother church of the Jesuit Order. What really struck me about this was that, while the interiors of most churches are painted or covered in gold, this was adorned with carvings.
Le Thoronet Abbey, France - Stark. Just plain stone walls and very little adornment. It looked very peaceful.
Convent of Sainte Marie de la Tourette, France - A Domincan order, their church, on the inside and outside, looks very modern. Minimalist layout, not a lot of adornment. Clean lines (as the designers like to say)
Mosque Cathedral in Cordoba, Spain - Two faiths merge into one is this amazing, open, airy, highly adorned space. Paintings, gold, writing, it all merges rather seamlessly.
St. Mortiz Church, Germany - The interior of this church looked like an art gallery. All white, with statues displayed like you would see in a gallery. It was an interesting take on the idea.
St. Michael the Archangel, Poland, From the outside, a simple, albeit tall, wooden building. The inside tells a different story. Fabrics, paintings, gold, it is brightly decorated.
Stave Churches, Norway - Like the simple building in Poland, wood on the outside, but inside painted. It is not as extravagant as the one in Poland, more of what I would call simple religious art and cultural art. Bright colors, vibrant patterns, but not overdone.
An interesting, if narrow, view of sacred spaces.
First, I want to say, the photography in this book was stunning. It really showcased the churches and cathedrals. I do want to point out a few things that struck me as being glaringly left out. Beginning with the fact no churches or cathedrals from Asia, Australia, North or South America were in this book. It was just Europe. To me, you can't really call this book "an extraordinary overview of our cultural history" if it is so limiting. Second, well known features in some of the churches, like Chartres' Labyrinth for example, were not even mentioned.
While what was included in this book was gorgeously displayed, it lacked some key details
Some of my favorite churches and cathedrals in this book:
Church of the Gesu, Italy - The mother church of the Jesuit Order. What really struck me about this was that, while the interiors of most churches are painted or covered in gold, this was adorned with carvings.
Le Thoronet Abbey, France - Stark. Just plain stone walls and very little adornment. It looked very peaceful.
Convent of Sainte Marie de la Tourette, France - A Domincan order, their church, on the inside and outside, looks very modern. Minimalist layout, not a lot of adornment. Clean lines (as the designers like to say)
Mosque Cathedral in Cordoba, Spain - Two faiths merge into one is this amazing, open, airy, highly adorned space. Paintings, gold, writing, it all merges rather seamlessly.
St. Mortiz Church, Germany - The interior of this church looked like an art gallery. All white, with statues displayed like you would see in a gallery. It was an interesting take on the idea.
St. Michael the Archangel, Poland, From the outside, a simple, albeit tall, wooden building. The inside tells a different story. Fabrics, paintings, gold, it is brightly decorated.
Stave Churches, Norway - Like the simple building in Poland, wood on the outside, but inside painted. It is not as extravagant as the one in Poland, more of what I would call simple religious art and cultural art. Bright colors, vibrant patterns, but not overdone.
An interesting, if narrow, view of sacred spaces.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews