The World’s Greatest Churches

Course Overview

Course No. 7842

Embark on a global pilgrimage to Christianity’s most magnificent architectural masterpieces with this visually stunning 24-lecture course.

This journey explores:

• 19 countries across 5 continents
• Architectural evolution from ancient basilicas to modernist wonders
• Cultural and theological symbolism in sacred spaces
• Artistic treasures from mosaics to stained glass
• Unique regional styles from Ethiopian rock churches to Norwegian stave churches

Video Lectures

01: The Earliest Churches (35 min)

Trace the origins of Christian architecture from Roman basilicas to early worship spaces.

02: The Church of the Holy Sepulchre (31 min)

Explore Jerusalem’s holiest site marking Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.

03: Hagia Sophia (31 min)

Marvel at Istanbul’s Byzantine masterpiece with its revolutionary dome design.

04: The Cave Churches of Cappadocia (30 min)

Discover Turkey’s mysterious underground sanctuaries carved into volcanic rock.

05: Great Churches of Russia (31 min)

Admire golden-domed Orthodox cathedrals from Moscow’s Kremlin to rural jewels.

06: The Painted Churches of Romania (32 min)

Study Moldavia’s UNESCO-listed churches with biblical frescoes covering exterior walls.

07: The Churches of Armenia (31 min)

Examine ancient stone-carved khachkars and distinctive conical domes.

08: The Churches of Georgia (30 min)

Appreciate intricate stone reliefs and frescoes in Caucasus mountain sanctuaries.

09: The Rock-Hewn Churches of Ethiopia (32 min)

Explore Lalibela’s 11 monolithic churches chiseled from single rock blocks.

10: The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba (30 min)

Contrast Islamic arches with Gothic vaults in Spain’s layered architectural palimpsest.

11: The Stave Churches of Norway (32 min)

Decode Viking woodcarving blended with Christian symbolism in Nordic forest chapels.

12: The Pilgrimage Church of Sainte-Foy (33 min)

Follow medieval pilgrims to Conques’ Romanesque shrine with its jeweled reliquary.

13: The Cathedral of Monreale (32 min)

Admire Sicily’s multicultural masterpiece blending Norman, Arab and Byzantine art.

14: Chartres Cathedral (32 min)

Experience the pinnacle of Gothic architecture through stained glass and sculpture.

15: Winchester Cathedral (32 min)

Study England’s medieval showpiece with rare fan vaulting and illuminated bibles.

16: The Cathedral of Siena (32 min)

Discover Renaissance masterpieces from Pisano’s pulpit to Duccio’s Maestà altarpiece.

17: St. Peter’s Basilica (32 min)

Stand beneath Michelangelo’s dome in the heart of Catholic Christendom.

18: The Wieskirche in Bavaria (32 min)

Delight in Germany’s Rococo jewel with its exuberant stucco ornamentation.

19: La Compañía and Las Lajas Sanctuary (31 min)

Compare Quito’s golden Baroque interior with Colombia’s cliffside Gothic marvel.

20: Guadalupe and Mexico City Cathedral (32 min)

Witness the fusion of Spanish and indigenous traditions in Aztec capital churches.

21: Four Great American Churches (31 min)

Contrast New England meetinghouses with Washington’s neo-Gothic cathedral.

22: La Sagrada Família (31 min)

Decipher Gaudí’s organic modernist vision for Barcelona’s unfinished basilica.

23: Iceland’s Hallgrímskirkja (31 min)

Understand how volcanic basalt inspired Reykjavik’s expressionist Lutheran church.

24: Two Churches in Seoul, Korea (35 min)

See how Korean architects blended Buddhist and Christian architectural traditions.