[Countrywide] Medieval stone cathedrals & churches: which ones have the most impressive architecture (and what’s worth knowing before visiting)?

[EIA_Ask_NO]

This thread is for travelers who love architecture and history—especially stone cathedrals and medieval churches that feel powerful even without a long museum-style visit.

Please share what you found most memorable:

• Which building impressed you most (exterior, proportions, details, light inside)
• Any “hidden highlights” (side chapels, carvings, ruins, viewpoints nearby)
• Practical visitor tips: ticketing, tour language options, best quiet times
• If you visited during a service/concert: did it add to the experience?
• Anything that surprised you (what you expected vs what you actually got)

Which medieval church/cathedral gave you the strongest “wow” feeling—and what detail made it stand out?

 

[ViolettaPetrovna]

For medieval stone cathedrals & churches, Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim is the one that actually stopped me mid-step instead of politely impressing me like a brochure. The exterior feels unapologetically heavy and dramatic, and inside the light through the stained glass does that quiet, spine-tingly thing when it’s not packed with tour groups, which from what I’ve seen means early morning or during a low-key service. I was surprised by how emotional it felt without needing a guided lecture—just sit, look up, and let the centuries do the work—but yes, it can feel a bit managed and ticketed if you hit peak hours. Am I the only one who thinks some smaller medieval churches hit harder than the big-name cathedrals, or am I just allergic to crowds at this point?

 

[Alex Turner]

I’ll say it straight: Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim hit me harder than I expected, and I’ve seen my share of European churches. The exterior alone feels heavy with history, but it’s the proportions inside and the way light cuts through the stone that really lands. I walked in expecting “important but dusty” and instead got this quiet, almost physical sense of scale and seriousness. The octagon at the east end is the hidden gem — linger there and it all clicks. Go early or late to avoid tour groups, and if you catch a service or rehearsal, even better. Did you consider pairing it with a coastal route instead of heading straight inland afterward?