Gothic cathedral or Fortress? You wouldn't know. Construction began as early as the 12th century,…read moreblending Romanesque and French-influenced Gothic by architect Fruchel. Truly an architectural oddity but pretty badass.

How do you even rate a church? This was one of my first stops on my day trip to Ávila and I was…read moreimpressed. I've been to the Sagrada Familia (5 stars) and cathedrals around the world, including the Basílica del Voto Nacional in Quito where you could walk a catwalk high above the sanctuary to get to stunning views on the roof (also 5 stars). The Catedral de Ávila doesn't have the gimmicky catwalk or the street cred of a world renowned church, but it does have friendly staff, an helpful audio tour, soaring ceilings, beautiful stained glass, and the amazing Altar of Kings, carved from limestone, which depicts scenes from Jesus's life--some of which I found very moving. Make sure to go through all of the open doors as they lead to various displays and a quaint chapel. I enjoyed my visit and found the artwork and historical exhibits fascinating.

Someday I'll learn the differences between a Church, a Basilica, and a Cathedral...is it just based…read moreon the size of the building? If you've made it this far in Europe, I'm 100% sure this isn't your first European Church/Basilica/Cathedral. I wasn't planning on visiting, but it was part of the tour group Paseos Madrid. It was built during the 12th Century and...uh...um...I don't remember much after that. Google it. But its still beautiful and impressive inside, complete with art, sculptures, and impressive alters, per the usual.

Over the top like most churches in Spain but of course this one is on a much grander scale. There…read more is so much to see in this huge Cathedral (second biggest in Spain) a guide would be helpful. Beside the main altar the most impressive item was the silver and gold Monstrance of Arfe that gets paraded around Toledo during the Corpus Christi procession. We spent an hour wandering around. 12 euros general admission 8 euros for seniors. This is the must see attraction in Toledo.

This Gothic monster was started in 1226 and finished sometime after your great-great-great-great…read moreancestors were born, it's all arches, stained glass, and gold that glows like it's powered by divine Wi-Fi. Fun fact: The bell tower of Toledo's Cathedral leans slightly to one side. Yep, that majestic Gothic spire is giving off subtle Pisa vibes. Historians think the tilt came from unstable ground or foundation settling over centuries. The clock on the tower was installed in the 18th century and has just one hand. Apparently, telling time precisely was optional when you had eternity to think about it.

Right beside the palace it's a free place to check out. Built over a century ago this is an…read more"unusual" gothic cathedral. The colored striped ceiling and modern looking stained glass. worth seeing but not my favorite. Yet do like that it's unique at least like nothing I've seen before.

Had a little extra time walking around Madrid and saw photos of this church online and wanted to…read moresee the beautiful paintings on the ceiling. The colors were absolutely breathtaking and the church itself is stunning.