Be Inspired

Within a country, a region, and sometimes even within a city, rivalries have arisen around religious buildings, long centres of power. Today these rivalries are anecdotal, but they have the merit of connecting these buildings to a broader history.

The architecture of these sacred buildings has inspired generations of architects to the point where it is no exaggeration to say that most of our built heritage consists of copies of these originals.

The life of St. Patrick is a great source for many traditional stories. As a missionary, the saint travelled a great deal, and is credited with many visits, constructions and miracles. Here are five sites that bear witness to the legend of Saint Patrick.

Places of worship sometimes have their history intertwined with that of illustrious characters. These buildings bear the traces of women who were recognised in their time and are today esteemed for their legacy.

Over the centuries, church buildings have given rise to new musical styles within them, linked to their stature and the sacred activities that take place there. Don’t miss out on visiting these churches if you would like some proof!

Throughout Europe's history there have been numerous conflicts and eras of turmoil. Religious buildings were often the largest and strongest buildings in urban areas, which meant that people often used them as shelters when problems arose. These 10 fortified sites are outstanding examples of the intersection of defensive and sacred architecture

The methods and materials of construction may have changed, but today's religious buildings have lost nothing of the tradition of sacred architecture, which seeks to convey a special atmosphere through architectural forms. These 10 futuristic sacred spaces throughout Europe are proof of this.

Monks and beer have a long history that finds its best example in the brewing activity of the Trappist abbeys of Belgium. Today, these abbeys produce some of the best beers in the world, contributing to Belgian beer culture, which has been listed as a UNESCO intangible heritage site since 2016.

Greatness and splendour have not always featured sacral architecture, especially when it was intended to be discreet. Throughout history, all over Europe, minority religions have had to build normal-looking buildings of worship to escape repression.

Today, monarchies in Europe are few, but centuries of reign have left lasting traces on our heritage, especially churches since European monarchies were legitimised by their proximity to the divine. These 10 churches, closely linked to European monarchies, are important to understand the traditions and beliefs of our ancestors.