Summary

  • Europe is home to countless Medieval buildings that have survived the test of time, showcasing unique and awe-inspiring architecture.
  • Maria Laach Abbey in Germany is a prime example of Romanesque architecture, featuring thick walls, ornamental arches, and a beautifully carved colonnaded porch.
  • Reims Cathedral in France, known for its grand facade, rose windows, and statues of French kings, attracts over a million visitors each year and holds historical significance as the site of French coronations.

The Middle Ages, or the Medieval Era, occurred from the fifth through the fifteenth centuries. Two main architectural styles dominated reigns through thousands of years—Romanesque and Gothic. While surprisingly few day-to-day buildings from that time are still standing, the Medieval Era did leave us beautiful, lasting monuments to a time of deep religious fervor. Europe is full of famous examples of Middle Age architecture. Unfortunately, one of the most famous religious landmarks from the Middle Ages, Notre Dame of Paris, was nearly destroyed in a fire in the spring of 2019 but is currently being restored. Though it still stands, it can’t be entered for a while. What follows are the buildings and other examples of famous medieval architecture from the Middle Ages that can still be visited.

UPDATE: 2023/11/13 23:22 EST BY SUNIL PURUSHE

Even More Medieval Buildings That Have Stood The Test Of Time

Europe has an unlimited number of Medieval buildings still standing, having defied the passage of time. From across the European nations, and even after all these years, the architecture here is one of a kind.

Related: What To Know Before Stepping Back Into The Middle Ages At Mont-Saint-Michel

15 Maria Laach Abbey: Andernach, Germany

A masterpiece of German Romanesque architecture

Maria Laach Abbey
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Maria Laach Abbey

Romanesque architecture is known for the sense of massive that it embodies: thick walls, sturdy pillars, barrel vaults, squat-sloping roofs, and round arches. Maria Laach Abbey embodies all of these; indeed, it’s considered an archetypal example of the architectural style. It has several towers, a large arcaded gallery, and rhythmic ornamental arches that make the style distinctive.

Particularly beautiful is The Paradise, a colonnaded porch that surrounds a small courtyard. It is richly carved with human and mythical features. The Abbey was initially founded in 1093 as a priory of the Affligem Abbey. The buildings grew in the 13th century. Today, it’s still in use as part of the Benedictine Confederation.

14 Reims Cathedral: Reims, France

In 2011, France celebrated the cathedral's 800th anniversary.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Reims, a popular attraction in France
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Cathedral of Our Lady of Reims, a popular attraction in France

At just an hour’s train ride from Paris, it’s hardly surprising that the beautiful Reims Cathedral (pronounced rahnse) is famous for being the Cathedral where French kings traditionally held their coronations. The grand scale of the facade is perfectly spectacular for just that sort of pomp and circumstance. The Gallery of Kings—statues of every king of France—stands in the center of the front facade over the rose window.

Reims Cathedral has many classic Gothic architectural features, including enormous rose windows, three decorative archways with statuary, and the two bell towers that rise above the main building of the cathedral. It receives over a million visitors each year.

13 Cologne Cathedral: Cologne, Germany

Germany's most visited landmark

Cologne Cathedral at Night
Photo by Dimitri Simon on Unsplash
Cologne Cathedral at Night 

As the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and a UNESCO World Heritage Monument, the Cologne Cathedral is one of the most popular sites in Germany and is the country's most visited landmark. Work on the cathedral was begun in 1248 but had to cease in 1473. For almost 400 years, the south tower remained only half complete, and a huge crane soared above it, waiting to begin work again.

A resurgence of enthusiasm for the Middle Ages in the 19th century allowed the building to finally be completed. Of course, it was damaged during World War II, but by some stroke of luck, it never flattened, like much of Cologne. After refurbishments, the facade remains largely the same. Today, it’s still an operating church. Thousands of visitors travel to it each year, and it is a popular site of Christian pilgrimage. The Cathedral is a renowned German Catholic and Gothic architecture monument and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.

RELATED: 10 Stunning Churches To Visit Even If You're Not Religious

12 Krak Des Chevaliers: Talkalakh District, Syria

T. E. Lawrence, popularly known as Lawrence of Arabia, remarked that Krak des Chevaliers was "perhaps the best preserved and most wholly admirable castle in the world."

Krak Des Chevaliers, Syria
Photo by JOE Planas on Unsplash
Krak Des Chevaliers, Syria

The Crusader castles have a mixed reputation—they were established and occupied during the West’s repeated invasions into the Middle East as part of the Crusades in the 12th-15th centuries. Nevertheless, it is one of the most important preserved Medieval castle forts in the world.

The Krak des Chevaliers was initially built in the 11th century. Still, the castle’s current appearance was developed in the 13th century when it graduated from a military stronghold to a concentric castle. It has been damaged in the ongoing wars in the Middle East, but it still stands and is home to around 9000 people. Reconstruction and conservation of the castle are ongoing, but the inner chapel and courtyard have been well-preserved. The tracery and delicate decoration present, especially in the Hall of Knights, are classic and beautiful examples of early Gothic architecture. However, with its barrel-style vault, the chapel is a callback to Romanesque architecture.

11 Angoulême Cathedral: Angoulême, France

More than 70 sculptures decorate the Cathedral's facade.

Cathédrale St Pierre d'Angoulême
Photo by Gautre, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Cathédrale St Pierre d'Angoulême

While France is famous for its many Gothic cathedrals, the Angoulême Cathedral is an example of the beautiful Romanesque architecture that predates the Gothic style. Work began on this church in 1110 on the same site as a pre-Christian sanctuary from the 4th century.

While the conical tops of the towers are newer, the facade of Angoulême remains largely true to the original Medieval design. It is decorated with 70 sculptures, most of which focus on the Ascension and the Last Judgment, though sculptors also depicted scenes of everyday life, such as hunting. Catholic services still go on in the church today.

10 Salisbury Cathedral: Salisbury, England

Home to one of the four surviving original copies of Magna Carta.

Salisbury cathedral
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Salisbury cathedral

This cathedral is regarded as one of the leading examples of English Gothic architecture. It took only 38 years to build (1220-1258), which is an astounding speed considering that many cathedrals have taken hundreds of years to build. Since the Lincoln Cathedral collapse in 1549, Salisbury has had the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom.

There are so many reasons for history buffs to visit Salisbury Cathedral. In addition to simply having stood the test of time (and war), Salisbury is home to one of the oldest working examples of a clock in the world (it dates back to 1386) and is also home to the best surviving original copy of the Magna Carta (only four are known).

RELATED: 10 Gorgeous Churches To Visit in France

9 Church Of St. Anne: Vilnius, Lithuania

A masterpiece of late Gothic architecture, legend had it that Emperor Napoleon wished to carry the church home to Paris 'in the palm of his hand.'

Steeples of Church of Saint Anne and cityscape in the Old city of Vilnius, Lithuania 
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Steeples of Church of Saint Anne and cityscape in the Old city of Vilnius, Lithuania

The Church of St. Anne is a Late Gothic building, done in the rare and peculiar Brick Gothic style. Though it is missing some of the classic statuary ornamentations of Gothic churches, St. Anne’s has classic towers and spires that curve upward toward the sky in vivid red brick. Because of the flame-like designs of the windows, some even consider St. Anne’s an example of the Flamboyant Gothic style, which was mostly a French trend.

The first church on this site, built with wood, was destroyed in 1419. The brick version was built by the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander I Jagiellon from 1495-1500, an impressively quick build. The exterior of the church has remained mostly the same since.

RELATED: 10 Quirky Churches That Look Out of This World

8 Leaning Tower Of Pisa: Pisa, Italy

Known for its nearly four-degree lean, the result of an unstable foundation, the Pisa tower began to lean during construction in the 12th century.

Leaning Tower of Pisa
Photo by Heidi Kaden on Unsplash
Leaning Tower of Pisa

The famous freestanding bell tower of the Pisa Cathedral is of Romanesque design. Building on the site began in 1173 and continued for nearly 200 years. The tower began to sink quickly—five years later, when the building was only two stories tall. The tower is only standing because construction was delayed for a century while the Republic of Pisa was at war with Genoa and Florence. The pause allows the topsoil under the foundation to settle better, saving the tower's future (though it still sinks). The same topsoil also managed to save the tower during four strong earthquakes.

The ground floor of the white marble tower is a blind gallery, and the seven floors are decorated with classical Corinthian columns. There used to be seven bells inside, one for each note on a musical scale, but they were removed to relieve some of the weight.

7 Sainte-Chapelle: Paris, France

Sainte-Chapelle is among the highest achievements of the Rayonnant Gothic architecture period.

Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, France
Photo by Stephanie LeBlanc on Unsplash
Mosaic glass wall of the The Sainte-Chapelle - one of the most beautiful landmarks in Paris, France

The Holy Chapel is a part of the Medieval Palais de la Cité, where the Kings of France stayed until the 14th century. (The Conciergerie is the other surviving building.) It was damaged during the 18th-century French Revolution but fully restored in the 19th century. It has the world's most extensive collection of 13th-century stained glass—the fifteen huge windows fill the nave and apse. The windows are so large that the rib vault walls look like a thin bone structure supporting the picturesque windows. Though the church itself is too early to be considered Flamboyant Gothic, the rose window that was added later follows this architectural style.

6 Basilica Of Saint-Denis: Saint-Denis, Paris, France

The site originated as a Gallo-Roman cemetery in late Roman times, and the archaeological remains still lie beneath the cathedral with graves indicating a mixture of Christian and pre-Christian burial practices.

Gothic Strasbourg Cathedral In France
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Gothic Strasbourg Cathedral In France

The city of Saint-Denis was annexed into Paris in 1860 as part of the natural growth of the French capital. It had long been important to Paris because the local basilica was (and still is) known as the Royal Necropolis. All but three French monarchs (and their families) are buried at the site. Fittingly, Saint-Denis has some fine examples of cadaver tombs. These remain, though the bodies entombed there were removed and mostly destroyed during the French Revolution.

Saint-Denis is an especially important landmark because it is considered the original Gothic church in the 12th century. The nave became the template for the Rayonnant Gothic style. The full building has provided the template for hundreds of cathedrals and basilicas worldwide.

Related: Why Chester Cathedral Boasts Some Of England's Most Impressive Medieval Architecture

5 Chester Cathedral: Chester, UK

An ancient abbey, an archaeological treasure, a cultural hub, a center of musical excellence, and a unique blend of medieval and modern history.

View Of Chester Cathedral
Aaron Spray
View Of Chester Cathedral

Another imposing English cathedral is the Chester Cathedral. But the Chester Cathedral is notable not only for its superb design but also for the city of Chester. The small English city of Chester is renowned for its famous medieval architecture, boasting some of England's best medieval architecture examples. See the oldest and most complete city walls in England as well as the famous Tutor-era Chester Rows in the historic city of Chester. Chester Cathedral is one of the best medieval architecture examples and is free to visit (as are the Chester walls and the Roman ruins of the city).

4 Nördlingen Village: Germany

An area riddled with an estimated 72,000 tons of micro-diamonds.

An impressive aerial view from high above Nördlingen, Germany
Photo by oliverfoerschner via Shutterstock
An impressive aerial view from high above Nördlingen, Germany

One of the most bizarre examples of famous medieval architecture has to be the German village of Nördlingen. It is a circular village made in the crater of an ancient meteorite, and the stones the buildings are built from are full of millions of micro diamonds. The meteor is thought to have struck 15 million years ago, leaving a crater 25 kilometers in diameter.

Today, Nördlingen is one of the important stops along the Romantic Road in southern Germany. Take the time to visit Nördlingen and the estimated 72,000 tons of micro diamonds embedded into the famous medieval buildings. Don't try to steal any of them - they are only 0.2 mm wide or 0.008 inches.

3 St. Peter's Basilica: Vatican City

Catholic tradition holds that the basilica is the burial site of Saint Peter, chief among Jesus's apostles and also the first Bishop of Rome.

St. Peter's Basilica Vatican City
Photo by Didier Moïse, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
St. Peter's Basilica Vatican City

Perhaps the most famous (and by some measures, largest) cathedral or basilica in the world is St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. St. Peter's Basilica dominates the Vatican City and is one of the most famous examples of architecture in medieval Europe and one of its masterpieces in the world. The Vatican is famous for being the smallest country in the world. Visiting St. Peter's Basilica is a must. It shows medieval architecture at its most brilliant (if it placed a massive financial burden on the Catholic Church at the time and contributed to the Protestant Reformation and the fracturing of the church).

2 Sighișoara: Romania

Located in the historic region of Transylvania, its well-preserved old town is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Sighisoara town in Transylvania, Romania
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Sighisoara town in Transylvania, Romania

Sighişoara's history dates back to the Romans, and for several centuries, the town played an important strategic and commercial role in Central Europe. Enclosed by a ring of walls and nine towers, including a striking clock tower, Sighișoara became one of Transylvania's most significant urban centers, with artisans from throughout the Holy Roman Empire visiting the settlement.

The church on the hill (Biserica din Deal) is undoubtedly one of the most valuable architectural monuments of the city. It is one of the most representative buildings of the Gothic site of Romania. The Monastery Chruch, The Saint Joseph Roman Catholic church, Leprosy Church (Biserica Leproșilor), the Orthodox Cathedral of Sighișoara (Catedrala Ortodoxă), and the old Orthodox church are all testaments of Gothic style architectural monuments that have stood the test of time.

1 Vianden Castle: Luxembourg

The majestic Castle stands over 300 meters high, dominating the town of Vianden and overlooking the River Our.

Vianden Castle, Luxembourg
Photo by Mike van den Bos on Unsplash
Vianden Castle, Luxembourg

The Castle is a classic example of famous medieval architecture and is one of the largest fortified castles west of the Rhine River. Originating from the fourth century as a Roman outpost, the form of the Castle today was constructed in a Romanesque style from the 11th to 14th centuries. After that, the Castle was allowed to fall into ruins. It has, however, recently been fully restored and is open to visitors. In about 1000, the first medieval stone castle was built on the land and contained a watch tower with a surrounding oval wall as a defense. An excavation in 1994 led to the unearthing of the late Antiquity Tower.