The most beautiful cathedral ceilings from around the world

Cathedrals are some of the most beautiful buildings in the world – and some of the most astounding performance venues. But do you ever look up to notice the intricate beauty of their ceilings?

1. 

   1. St Albans Cathedral, UK

   St Albans Cathedral, UK. Picture: Getty

2. 

   2. The Stephansdom (St. Steven's Cathedral), Passau, Bavaria

   The Stephansdom (St. Steven's Cathedral), Passau, Bavaria. Picture: Getty

3. 

   3. Salisbury's Cathedral Cloisters and Chapter House

   Salisbury's Cathedral Cloisters and Chapter House, Picture: Getty

4. 

   4. Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

   The ceiling of the Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, desigedn by Antoni Gaudí. Picture: Getty

5. 

   5. St Paul's Cathedral, London

   St Paul's Cathedral, London. Picture: Getty

7. 

   6. Christchurch cathedral, New Zealand

   This photo taken in December 2014, shows the cardboard tube roof beams of the Christchurch Cardboard Cathedral building, designed by award-winning Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. The structure was a temporary replacement for the 1881 Anglican cathedral destroyed in the February 2011 quake. Photo: Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images)

8. 

   7. Durham Cathedral

   A light art installation entitled 'Complex Meshes 2015' is projected onto the roof of the nave of Durham Cathedral as part of Lumiere Durham light festival in Durham. Picture: Getty

9. 

   8. Washington National Cathedral, US

   A detail from the ceiling of the Washington National Cathedral, US. Picture: Getty

10. 

    9. St. Margaret's Church, London

    St. Margaret's Church, London. Picture: Getty

11. 

    10. Seville Cathedral, Andalusia

    Seville Cathedral, Andalusia. Picture: Getty

13. 

    11. Salisbury Cathedral's Cloisters and Chapter House

    Salisbury Cathedral's Cloisters and Chapter House. Picture: Getty

14. 

    12. Notre-Dame de Paris

    Notre-Dame de Paris. Picture: Getty

15. 

    13. Piccolomini Library of Siena cathedral

    Piccolomini Library of the Duomo cathedral on July 19, 2011 in Siena, Italy. Picture: Getty

16. 

    14. St Mark's Basilica, Venice

    St Mark's Basilica, Venice. Photo: Getty

17. 

    15. Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome

    Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome. (Photo by Giuseppe Cacace/Getty Images)

19. 

    16. St Paul's Cathedral, London

    A detail from the ceiling of St Paul's Cathedral, London. Picture: Getty

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