A useful resource for architecture students, travelers, and anyone interested in our religious heritage, this volume documents the world's most important cathedrals from their early Christian, Romanesque, and Gothic origins through their evolution during the Renaissance and Baroque periods to the styles of the modern age. Spanning the globe, the monuments in this volume have been selected for their exceptional historical value, aesthetic attributes, and architectural significance. From St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, which was constructed in 1050, to the 2003 opening of Richard Meier's Jubilee Church in Rome, these churches embody a vast range of architectural styles. Full-color photographs vividly convey the colorful turban-shaped domes of St. Basil in Moscow, the ornate stone carvings and gargoyles of Notre Dame, and the opulent frescoes and gold gilt ceiling of St. Mark's Basilica. The photography also evokes the unique qualities of the settings of each cathedral, whether situated in the middle of a bustling city square or in a more remote natural setting. From Philip Johnson's Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, to London's Westminster Cathedral to Helsinki Cathedral in Finland, this book demonstrates the awe-inspiring architecture and interiors that make these churches world treasures.