Episode 98: A&F Top 10 Churches

This week Carrie and Alisha list their Top 10 churches in an eclectic tour of the world.

Number 1: Crystal Cathedral (Christ's Cathedral)

The Crystal Cathedral, is known as Christ’s Cathedral

This modern beauty is a sight to behold in California. Designed by Philip Johnson in 1981, it is one of the largest glass buildings in the world!

We proudly award this church: Best Bling

Number 2: Salt Cathedral in Wieliczka Salt Mine, Poland

Yes that’s right, we said SALT Cathedral! This flavorful mine has an actual cathedral located inside, carved out of the walls of the mine. Life size statues and chandeliers of rock salt decorate the mine.

This cathedral earns the award of: Most Edible, yummm!

 In case you were looking for other buildings you can lick, here is a link for you:

http://gizmodo.com/buildings-you-can-lick-9-spectacular-structures-made-o-5992613

 

Number 3: San Diego LDS Temple

This picturesque temple belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and is located in San Diego. By day the temple seems to sit like a delicate cloud on the beautiful manicured grounds. The stark white exterior lights up when the sun goes down and looks like a halo in the middle of the city!

We bestow upon this temple the award of: Most Heavenly

Number 4: Washington National Cathedral

While part of the cathedral was under construction in the 80’s, a contest was held for school children to design Gargoyles and Grotesques to adorn the towers. One of the winners was Christopher Rader and his Darth Vader drawing, and then turned into a sculpture by Patrick J. Plunkett

Most Sci-Fi award we grant this

Number 5: Santuario de Las Lajas (The Shrine of Our Lady of Las Lajas) Columbia

The Shrine of Our Lady of Las Lajas

This Neo-Romanesque masterpiece was designed by the architects J. Gualberto Perez and Lucindo Espinosa and built between 1916 and 1949

We give this one the award of: Most Epic!

Number 6: Svyato-Spassky Convent in Kostomarovo 

Two churches are located in these caves, a Spassky temple and a smaller St. Seraphin Sarovsky church.  These churches dig deep into the cliff to provide surprisingly open interiors. These churches were also built as a way to protect parishioners in case of sieges or attacks

This cleverly disguised location earns it the Best Camouflage Award

 

Number 7: Hallgrimur Church, Iceland

This tall glass of water was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson who found inspiration from the basalt lava flows found throughout Iceland. The church is 244 feet tall.

We give this beauty the award of: Tall Awesomeness 



Number 8: Musée Le Secq des Tournelles, France

An ancient church turned museum of antique ornamental wrought iron? Talk about a dream come true! This church now houses a collection of wrought iron amassed by Jean-Louis-Henri Le Secq des Tournelles who was one of France’s leading architectural photographers to the 19^th Century.

This amazing museum/church is granted the Sweet Transformation award

Number 9: Mont Saint-Michel

This miraculous monastery fortress is located on a tidal island in Normandy. The city plan of the island is based on the medieval feudal system, with God (the monastery) at the top, then the great halls, then shops and stores, and without the walls, the farms.

Obviously we have awarded this one: The most medieval town on an island looking!

Number 10: Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul

This amazing mosque houses the tombs of the Sultan Süleyman his wife Roxelana.

Roxelana was a highly influential and powerful woman in her day.

We give this Mosque the award for Inspiring Carrie’s future interior design projects!


Thanks for joining us today! Come back next week for Julia and Alisha's episode on Fairy Painting.
Have a great week!