You’ve probably been inside of a church at some point in your life and maybe even one that was extraordinary. Many European cathedrals house artworks that would make the finest museums envious and others took hundreds of years to build. But we’re not just talking about extraordinary here. This is another category entirely. Yes, these churches and cathedrals are extraordinary but, they’re also some of the most bizarre you’ll ever see. From churches that that resemble buildings out of Disney World to others that you’d think would be at a kid’s birthday party, these strange churches from around the world will intrigue you!
7. Inflatable Church (Sandown, England)
No, it’s not a bouncy house. This was the first inflatable church, erected in 2003. It stands at 47 feet tall and holds up to 60 people. Yes, there’s an organ. And candles. And stained glass windows. And they are all inflatable!
6. St. Basil’s Cathedral (Russia)
6. St. Basil’s Cathedral (Russia)
This is one of the most famous and recognizable cathedrals in the world. It’s located in the Red Square of Moscow and was completed in 1561 on orders from Ivan the Terrible. It looks like something out of Alice and Wonderland and today it functions as a museum.
5. Cardboard Cathedral (New Zealand)
5. Cardboard Cathedral (New Zealand)
You can’t tell, but this New Zealand church did not get its name from nowhere. The Cardboard cathedral is made of wood, steel, and yes, cardboard tubes. It’s a big tourist attraction and serves as a cathedral and a meeting venue.
4. Cliff Church (Katskhi, Georgia)
4. Cliff Church (Katskhi, Georgia)
If you can make it here, you just might get to see some of heaven in this church. It sits on top of a 130 foot high rock formation and has been home to a monk for the last 20 years. Most interesting part? He uses a rusty old ladder to get up and down from the church and calls it the stairway to heaven.
3. Snow Church (Germany)
3. Snow Church (Germany)
If you’re looking for God and sub-zero temperatures, there’s a church for you. The Snow Church, nicknamed ‘God’s igloo’ is located in Germany and holds up to 200 people. And yes, it’s made entirely of snow.
2. Las Lajas Cathedral (Colombia)
2. Las Lajas Cathedral (Colombia)
You shouldn’t visit this magnificent basilica if you’re afraid of heights. The Gothic Revival style church was built in a canyon between 1916-1949 and is connected to a bridge. And not to worry — if the sermon doesn’t do it for you, the views will more than make up for it.
1. The Church of Hallgrimur (Reykjavik, Iceland)
1. The Church of Hallgrimur (Reykjavik, Iceland)
The Church of Hallgrimur has a fantastical quality and looks like something that’s been built a couple of hundred years ahead of its time. The most majestic of them all, maybe this is where Cinderella really lives — or prays.
