Most Effective Places of Worship: 2005
European communities have devoted the sweat and wealth of countless generations into building their places of worship. Some are cold and empty; others inspire prayer. They are "effective" in that they produce a very definite and powerful response. Which European churches, mosques, temples, or other places of worship affected you the most?
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Candles for Loved Ones
We traveled to Europe in both 2000 and 2004--we visited multiple churches--we are Catholic and most of our visits were to Catholic Churches, however, Westminister Abbey was equally impressive. We have lost several beloved family members in the last few years and decided to light a candle in each church that we visited in their memory. Our loved ones are remembered in churches throughout Ireland, England, France, Italy and Vatican City. We dearly hope to return to Europe in the next few months and fully plan to light candles in every church we visit.
This year, we will be remembering our lost loved ones and especially praying for our dear Marine who may be serving our country in Iraq. I plan to light several candles at the Vatican; our Marine and all of our military members need every prayer that we can offer on their behalf. The best Place of Worship? St. Peter's in Rome is unquestionably the most impressive place I have visited--but then, I have the rest of the world to visit.
Anne
Denver, CO USA Sat 11/19/2005
Paris, France
We attended the American Church of Paris for an English Sunday morning service. I believe the church was built in the 1920's. Very much like attending a traditional Protestant church in the States. That afternoon at 4:00pm we were at Sacre Coeur and heard the nuns singing. The acoustics were wonderful, a very uplifting experience.
nl <email>
Bellevue, WA USA Thu 10/27/2005
San Miniato al Monte, Florence
Above the Piazza Michelangelo, on a hill overlooking Florence. Lovely exterior mosaic work; a beautiful, intact fresco series of the life of St Benedict in the sacristy; breath-taking aspe mosaic; dates from ~1000. The Lord was very close. After vespers in the crypt of the church, heading off to a quiet, closed-off section of the crypt for Mass.
Shari
Burlingame, CA USA Wed 10/05/2005
Santa Maria Maggiore- Rome
Don't go without binoculars. Rick must have eyes like an Eagle. That church is huge. Oh yes it has tons of Mosaics but since they are hundreds of feet up, you better pack binoculars and lay on your back like Michael Angelo.
Marie
Verona, NJ USA Wed 09/28/2005
Attending Local Church Services
We always try to attend at least one scheduled church service of some type on every trip we take....no matter where. It seems to always be enlightening when a new slant is cast upon one's personal religious, or even nonreligious, beliefs. Something about the difference between standing OUTSIDE of a church building and taking a picture of the building versus going INSIDE wearing appropriate apparel, sitting down in the pews with local people, and enjoying their service. That's definitely the "back door" way to travel. Been to: Westminster Abbey Evensong Service, Sunday's at 15:00, followed by an organ recital concert at 5:00pm. Also try the Berlin Dom (Cathedral) which sits on the former East side of Berlin....right in the middle of what used to be a communist area. Amazing. Try it right here in the US too.
AT
Portland, OR USA Sun 09/25/2005
Jewish Holidays in Paris?
I will be in Paris during Rosh Hashanah. Has anyone ever been to a welcoming synagogue there? It seems to me that could be a wonderful experience.
Liz <email>
Hyattsville, MD USA Wed 07/27/2005
Salzburg and London
I just left Salzburg. On Sunday I attended mass in the cathedral and thrilled to Mozart's "Missa Solemnis." Although I am not catholic, it was a very moving experience. In London I went to matins at the Temple Church. It was just the priest and I. A very moving experience of a different sort. After the service I got to wander the church on my own, even though it wasn't officially open for visitors until much later in the day.
Robert Harrell
Long Beach, California USA Wed 07/27/2005
Synagogue in Roma
We showed up in Rome on New Years Eve, completely overwhelmed by the crowds since we had just spent a relaxing couple of days in Cinque Terre.
It was Friday night, so we headed to the Great Synagogue.
It was the highlight of our trip to Italy. The community welcomed both me (who sat with the other women in the balcony) and my husband (who sat below). While the tunes were different, we knew what the congregation was singing and could follow the prayers using the siddur.
It was a great way to welcome Shabbat and the New Year!
Susan
Atlanta, GA USA Thu 07/21/2005
Methodist church & Museum
Wesley's Chapel, 49 City Rd. in London, is very nice. It's the home of Methodism and the church is much like it was when it was first built in the late 1700's. When I went the pastor was very nice and accomodating - there were a few other tourists there as well, even though it was the middle of November! In addition, there was a museum in the basement that was free of charge. I don't know if it's always free (on some websites I see admission price listed) - it may have only been free because I had attended the service. Either way, it was very nice and I look forward to going again later this year.
Kris
MD USA Sat 07/02/2005
Synagogues in Italy
We visited the synagogue in Rome which is beautiful and opulent. Ursula was very nice, giving us a tour, even though she was late for a staff meeting.
There were several things we wanted to purchase from their gift shop, but we were low on cash and they did accept credit cards. P.S. They have a very clean bathroom!
If you are in Siena, I recommend stearing clear of the synagogue there. We tried 2 times and were turned away for a tour, even though it was the the alloted time as posted on the door. Because it was during Passover, we gave them the benefit of the doubt and went for services. Wrong move, we were treated like lepers. They didn't offer us prayer books, so we were lost during the whole service. No one spoke to us afterwards or even offered us a glass of wine for Kaddush service. It was very disapointing, to say the least and not very much in keeping with our faith.
Holly <email>
Lower Gwynedd, PA USA Sun 05/08/2005
Churches in France
St Germain Des Pres in Paris, becase it's ancient and peaceful; Sacre Coeur, though not old, I happened to visit early in the morning and heard the nuns(?) singing matins - perfect acoustics brought me to tears; Cathedral at Bayeux for its ancient beauty ; Cathedral at Albi for the gorgeous choir rood,the altar, and the beautiful chapel of Ste. Cecelia; finally, Chartres, the beautiful windows, the huge scale of the cathedral, its' perfection.
S <email>
Long Beach, CA USA Wed 03/30/2005
Assisi, Italy
While St. Peter's was the most breath-taking church building, my most spiritual experience in an European church was at Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Assisi. (A Christian church built on a Roman temple) A priest came up to me and my friend and asked if we would go inside the little chapel to spend 5 minutes with him and with God. He then read scripture and prayed with us. It was a personal and uplifting experience.
Amy <email>
CA USA Sat 03/05/2005
Knock Shrine
Our Lady of Knock Shrine in Knock Ireland is lovely. It is a sacred place with a fascinating history and well worth the visit.
Julie <email>
Ellicott City, MD USA Mon 01/31/2005
The Cathedral in Trier
The Cathedral in Trier is a beautiful place to be. It is very large and when you get to the case where the Shroud lies, you can feel chills running up and down your spine!
Alexandra Fischer <email>
Heidweiler, Germany Thu 01/27/2005