Culture, religion and the type of God that people worship can contribute to the construction of very different religious times, which not only differ in the names given to them, but also in the forms they present and in aesthetics. We can find fascinating specimens spread across the globe. The religious world has left us a peculiar and vast historical heritage. There are even several unusual religious buildings, curious temples that reveal an alternative sacred art. In several countries, there are bizarre religious constructions that encourage religious tourism among fans of unusual architectural curiosities. We have put together a set of temples that deserve a more detailed look. They are the strangest churches in the world and one is Portuguese.
1. Transparent Church, Borgloon, Belgium
This temple is truly fascinating because it manages to present itself as a traditional chapel. However, this contemporary art project manages to deceive us, because it deceives the eye and changes according to perspective.
The transparent church is certainly one of the strangest churches in the world. In an optical illusion created by the architect’s ingenuity, the temple becomes truly transparent depending on the person’s position and sunlight. This temple is made of steel and glass.
2. Cardboard Cathedral, Christchurch, New Zealand
The name already says a lot about the uniqueness of this religious construction. This temple was built due to the ingenuity of Japanese architects. Architect Shigeru Ban carried out this project to temporarily replace a temple destroyed by an earthquake in 2011. He is a pioneer in so-called “emergency architecture”, erecting buildings in disaster zones.
Among the materials used in its construction is cardboard (recycled). This church has this name, but it has great quality. The Cardboard Cathedral is resistant to climate change and will last for more than 50 years.
In the structure of the building, there are colorful stained glass windows that were reused from other churches. Therefore, this is one of the strangest churches in the world.
3. Chapel of Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe, Le Puy-en-Velay, France
This temple had to be among the strangest churches in the world. The chapel was built in 969. This religious tourist attraction was built on a volcanic plug 85 m high and 57 m in diameter. Access to the chapel is via 268 steps carved into the rock.
As the name suggests, this religious building is dedicated to the Archangel Michael, a tribute paid to the patron saint of mountain tops and other high places. According to legend, Joan of Arc’s mother passed through here. The woman called Isabelle Romée would have gone to pray in this unique space.
4. St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow, Russia
This temple presents a singular beauty. Saint Basil’s Cathedral is certainly one of the most spectacular religious buildings. She is present in Red Square in Moscow.
Its construction took place in Russia, between 1555 and 1561. It was built at the wish of Ivan lV the Terrible. The design presented by Saint Basil’s Cathedral symbolizes a bonfire with the flames reaching towards the sky.
5. Snow Church, Mitterfirmiansreut, Germany
This snow church was built in 1911, due to a group of residents from Mitterfirmiansreut acting in protest against local authorities who did not invest in an official church. After the project was highlighted by the international press, the faithful managed to obtain the resources to build a stone church.
However, as a way to celebrate the centenary of the ice church, the villagers decided to carry out a reconstruction in 2011. Alfons Doeringer was the architect who signed the project for this temple, which had space to accommodate 190 people. The religious construction had the following measurements: 26 m long and 11 m wide.
One of its highlights was the 17 m high tower. The building nicknamed “God’s Igloo” ended up melting over time. Despite its ephemerality, the temple had to be on the list of the strangest churches in the world.
6. Brasilia Cathedral, Brasilia, Brazil
Popular architect Oscar Niemeyer was responsible for the project. This temple has a strange aesthetic. Its structure is made up of 17 pillars that resemble a UFO.
Inside the Brasília Cathedral, we can find large blue and green stained glass panels. In the space, we can also find sculptures of angels hanging from the ceiling and a reflecting pool that surrounds the building.
In this way, this religious construction also stands out for its beauty and not just its strangeness. Therefore, the Brazilian cathedral had to be on the list of the strangest churches in the world.
7. Dog Chapel, Vermont, USA
The decision to build this chapel came after the builder had a near-death experience. This construction attracts attention due to the unusual nature of being intended for canine faithful.
People who like to pamper their pets can take their dogs to this church in Vermont. Therefore, having a chapel dedicated to dogs on the list of the strangest churches in the world makes perfect sense.
Chapel Dog is a construction that goes beyond all the rules for religious buildings. The “temple” features doors for humans and dogs. Inside the chapel, we can find carved wooden dogs. These elements are aligned with benches and stained glass windows with themes alluding to this animal that many like to have as a pet.
8. Cliff Church, Katskhi, Georgia
This unusual temple may be the closest to heaven. This religious construction stands out because it was built on a rock formation. Therefore, the church is built 39 meters high. This unique temple deserves a place on the list of the strangest churches in the world.
For more than two decades, a monk has made this church his home. To access the inside of the temple, you need to use an old ladder. Interestingly, this indispensable element was named the ‘ladder to heaven’.
9. Maringá Cathedral, Brazil
This is another Brazilian construction that appears among the strangest churches in the world. Maringá Cathedral attracts attention due to its unusual shape. It looks like a cone, but it’s not. It also looks like an old hat worn by noble women, called a hennin, but it isn’t either.
The appearance of this temple earns it a place on the list of the strangest churches in the world. The appearance of the cathedral is unique. The aesthetic presented is due to the fact that it was inspired by the Soviet satellite sputnick.
10. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lapa, Vieira do Minho, Portugal
This Portuguese temple has also been recognized on social media as the strangest church in Portugal. Therefore, in the list of the strangest churches in the world there is a representative from Portugal.
This religious construction present in Soutelo, Vieira do Minho, presents great beauty. The only Portuguese temple featured on this list stands out for its originality and simplicity.
The Nossa Senhora da Chapel was built in 1694.
This temple was built due to the will and faith of João Gonçalves and Margarida da Silva, his wife. In the construction of this building, the local granite outcrops were used. It is present in a cavity under rocks. The space houses a small image of Our Lady.
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