Easter is one of the most important events in the religious calendar. We bring you a fascinating fact or feature on three of our favourite cathedrals in Europe.

COLOGNE CATHEDRAL

The filigree twin spires of Cologne’s most famous attraction can be spotted miles away. Known locally as The Dom, the vast UNESCO-listed cathedral is the spiritual heart of the city. Its inception can be traced back to 1248. However, it lay unfinished for over 300 years and was eventually completed in 1880. Remarkably, Cologne Cathedral survived the extensive bombing of WWII. In an otherwise flattened city it was saved, possibly because Allied bombers used it as recognisable landmark on aircraft raids deeper into Germany.

Take an included guided tour of Cologne Cathedral on our Rhine Discovery and Grand European Tour cruises >

NEW CATHEDRAL, SALAMANCA

Cathedral Nueva (New) in the Spanish city of Salamanca is actually 500 years old. To blend in with the city’s Old Cathedral, it was constructed in a similar Gothic and Baroque style. In 1755, the cathedral suffered damage from the catastrophic earthquake that devastated Lisbon. Continuing restoration work has seen the addition of two rather strange features. Carved into the sandstone façade, you can spot a devilish faun, holding an ice cream cone. And on a Renaissance doorway is an astronaut, perhaps ascending to new spiritual heights.

Explore New Cathedral on your included tour on our Portugal’s River of Gold journey >

ROUEN CATHEDRAL

Few Gothic cathedrals are more stunning than Normandy’s splendid Rouen Cathedral. Despite being struck by lightning and bombings by Allied forces in World War II, the ornate cathedral has survived and remains a must-see. Between 1892 and 1894, Impressionist artist Claude Monet, who lived at nearby Giverny, created a series of more than 30 paintings of Rouen Cathedral at different times of the day and in different weather. Visit Rouen for yourself and you too will be inspired.

Visit Rouen Cathedral on our Paris & the Heart of Normandy cruise >

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