Choose from 4,530 Fun Things to Do in Europe
ShowingFilter 3361-3380 of 4530 listings.
St Charles's Church (Karlskirche)
The Church of St Charles Borromeo, or Karlskirche, is the finest baroque church in Vienna and was built between 1716 and 1739, after a vow by Karl VI at the end of the 1713 plague. It was designed and commenced by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and completed by his son Joseph. Although predominantly baroque, it combines several architectural styles.
The twin columns are modeled on Trajan's Column in Rome and show scenes from the life of St Charles Borromeo (who helped plague victims in Italy), to whom the church is dedicated. The huge oval dome reaches 236 ft (72m); in combination with the church's large windows, the dome's height creates a bright, open nave. There is a small museum with a handful of religious art and clothing purportedly from the saint, but the highlight is the lift to the dome for a close-up view of the detailed frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr. The altar panel is by Sebastiano Ricci and shows the Assumption of the Virgin. In front of the church is a pond, complete with a Henry Moore sculpture from 1978.
Practical Info
Catch the metro line U1, U2, or U4 to Karlsplatz.
Address: Kreuzherrengasse 1, Vienna 1040, Austria
Hours: Open Mon - Sat 9am - 12pm, 1pm - 6pm, Sun 12pm - 5:45pm
Admission: Adults: €6
From $ 43
St Anne's Church
St Anne's Church (Annakirche) in Vienna’s city center is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture paired with Baroque-style artwork. One of the church’s main attractions are the exquisite frescoes, created by Daniel Gran, which adorn the ceilings of the chapel. The chapel, which is said to have been in existence since 1320, draws thousands of visitors each year to view these timeless pieces of art. St Anne’s Church is a functioning Roman Catholic Church that is also a prominent venue for community functions, various church activities, and notably — musical concerts. The church is named after Saint Anne, whose grim relic (a mummified hand) is exhibited in the church every year on July 26 (St Anne's Day).
The church is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful Baroque-style churches in existence, and its incredible acoustics make the frequent musical concerts that are held there an auditory treat to attend. The classical concerts are usually string quartets, and include specific pieces of chamber music. A popular way to visit the church is by booking a musical concert combined with a tour.
Practical Info
St Anne’s Church is a functioning Catholic church with several services throughout the day: 7:30am, 5:15pm, and 5:40pm. It is located in the heart of Vienna’s city center and is walking distance from numerous public transit stops, cafés, and restaurants.
Address: Annagasse 3B, Vienna, Austria
Hours: Daily 8:30am-6pm. Opens at 8am in the summer.
From $ 33
St Basil's Cathedral (Pokrovsky Sabor)
With its colorful onion-shaped domes, St. Basil’s Cathedral may be one of the most iconic sights in Moscow, if not in all of Russia. Finished in 1561, the cathedral sits on one end of Red Square and marks the geometric center of Moscow. For 40 years after its construction, it was the tallest building in the city, eventually surpassed by the Ivan the Great Bell Tower.
St. Basil’s actually consists of 10 separate churches. When the building was first constructed, eight side churches surrounded the main Church of Intercession. A 10th church was added in 1588 over the grave of the local saint, Basil. While the cathedral was built to celebrate the capture of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible, its side churches were designed to represent major events in Russian spiritual life in the second half of the 16th century.
The cathedral was confiscated from the Russian Orthodox community during Soviet times and now operates as a division of the State Historical Museum. It has been part of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990. Today, visitors can stroll through the galleries connecting the many churches while marveling at frescoes, oil paintings and Russian icons, many of which date to the 16th and 17th centuries.
St. Basil’s actually consists of 10 separate churches. When the building was first constructed, eight side churches surrounded the main Church of Intercession. A 10th church was added in 1588 over the grave of the local saint, Basil. While the cathedral was built to celebrate the capture of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible, its side churches were designed to represent major events in Russian spiritual life in the second half of the 16th century.
The cathedral was confiscated from the Russian Orthodox community during Soviet times and now operates as a division of the State Historical Museum. It has been part of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990. Today, visitors can stroll through the galleries connecting the many churches while marveling at frescoes, oil paintings and Russian icons, many of which date to the 16th and 17th centuries.
Practical Info
St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the southeastern end of Red Square, in the very center of Moscow. The nearest Metro station is Ploschad Revolyutsii, about a five minute walk from the cathedral. The ticket office closes 30 minutes before closing time.
Address: Red Square, Moscow 109012, Russia
Hours: During Winter: Open Daily 11am - 5pm
During Summer: Open Daily 10am - 7pm
Admission: Adults: 250 rubles ($8), Students: 50 rubles and Under 18 years old: Free
From $ 22
St Gilgen
Much of the lakeland landscape around the gloriously Baroque village of St Gilgen found its way into the opening shots of The Sound of Music, the iconic movie that marks its 50th anniversary in 2015. Although the town’s outskirts have bowed to modern development, the heart of St Gilgen is still one of chocolate-box perfection, where wooden chalets with steeply pitched roofs stand side by side with softly colored Baroque townhouses overlooking Wolfgansee lake.
In winter St Gilgen holds one of the Salzburg area’s most famous Christmas markets, with wooden stalls selling handmade jewelry, traditional wooden toys and fragrant local gingerbread alongside plenty of warming glühwein. A cable car travels up to Zwölferhorn for skiing, and between May and September this becomes a jumping off point for hiking, cycling and climbing adventures in the Salzkammergut (Austrian Lake District). By summer Wolfgansee lake is given over to water sports and cruiser trips to the equally cute lakeside towns of Stobl and St Wolfgang.
St Gilgen is 45 minutes from Salzburg by road and the tourist office is found on Mozartplatz.
Address: St Gilgen 5340, Austria
From $ 52
St Andrews Golf Course
Laying claim to the world’s oldest golf course and boasting a history of the game that dates back to the 15th century, the coastal town of St Andrews has long been renowned as the ‘home of golf’ and it’s still Scotland’s premium destination for international golfers. The St Andrews Links – the local lingo for ‘golf courses’ – include 7 public courses, sited in dramatic settings along the coastal cliffs and preserved by the St Andrews Links Trust.
The most famous destination for golfers has to be the aptly named Old Course, the oldest and arguably most famous golf course in the world, which has hosted an incredible 28 Opens and boasts iconic features like the Swilcan Bridge and the Hell Bunker. It’s possible to play a round if you book in advance, but most visitors opt for a guided walking tour, following in the footsteps of golfing legends like Tiger Woods and Bobby Jones, and celebrity enthusiasts like Michael Douglas and Samuel L. Jackson.
There’s also the equally prestigious New Course, which actually dates back to 1895; the notoriously challenging Jubilee course; the Eden and the beginner-friendly 9-hole Balgove. Finally, the most recent additions include the Strathtyrum and the Castle Course, which opened up back in 2008.
Practical Info
The St Andrews Links are located along the coast of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland and are open to the public via advance booking all year-round. A range of package deals and walking tours are also available.
Address: St. Andrews, Scotland
From $ 69
St Andrew's Church
The fairytale Baroque beauty that is St Andrew’s stands near the top of meandering, hilly Andriivs’kyi uzviz (in English ‘Andrew’s Descent’), which is one of the oldest and most attractive streets in Kiev. The church is one of the few public buildings in the city that has escaped damage during two world wars, Soviet occupation and recent civic unrest; it was completed in 1754 to a commission by Russian Empress Elizabeth, who was daughter of Peter the Great, and the design of Late Baroque master craftsman Bartolomeo Rastrelli. He hailed from France but spent much of his working life in Russia building opulent palaces for the Tsar’s family, including the Winter Palace in St Petersburg. Much of the church’s charm is on the exterior; it is a multi-colored confection of five green spires flecked with gold and gleaming white and turquoise walls. It has a stately flight of marble steps leading to the main entrance and inside all is white and gold, with a startlingly scarlet iconostasis (Orthodox altar screen) covered in paintings of Biblical scenes.
Practical Info
Andriivs’kyi uzviz 23, Kiev. Open daily 10am–6pm. No admission charge. Take the metro to Kontraktova Ploscha.
Address: Andriivs’kyi uzviz 23., Kiev, Kiev Oblast 01901, Ukraine
Hours: daily 10am–6pm
From $ 22
St Florian's Gate (Brama Florianska)
Built in 1300 as part of extensive fortifications to protect against Turkish attack, St Florian’s Gate (Brama Florianska) once served as the main entrance to Krakow. It was also the starting point of the Royal Road, the route Polish royalty and nobility would follow from the city entrance to the castle. Today, it’s the only remaining gate of the original eight in the old city walls, the others having been dismantled during the nineteenth century modernization of the city.
The Gothic-style stone tower stands 110 feet (33.5 meters) tall and features a decorative metal Baroque topper that was added in the seventeenth century. A bas-relief on the southern wall of the gate houses a statue of the gate’s namesake, while the north side has a stone carving of an eagle. Vendors can often be found selling art and souvenirs around the base of the gate.
Practical Info
St Florian’s Gate is located at the intersection of Pijarska and Floriańska streets.
Address: ul Floriańska, Krakow, Poland
From $ 17
St Agnes Convent
The St. Agnes Convent is a complex of 13th-century buildings and churches tucked away in a corner of Prague’s Old Town. Consisting primarily of the convent of the Poor Clares and the monastery of the Friars Minor, it represents the first example of a Gothic style of architecture in Bohemia, although part of the monastery was reconstructed in a Renaissance style in the 16th century. The complex was restored and renovated in the 1980 and began exhibiting the National Gallery’s collection of medieval and early Renaissance art in 2000. The collection includes art from the 13th to 16th centuries from Bohemia and central Europe, including more than 200 paintings, sculptures and other crafts. Works from the reign of the Luxembourgs and artwork associated with the rise of the Czech lands during the reigns of Vladislav and Ludwig Jagellon are considered national treasures.
In addition to the art collection, visitors can also explore the 13th-century cloister, including the French Gothic Church of the Holy Saviour, where St. Agnes and Queen Cunegund are buried, and the Church of St. Francis, where King Wenceslaus I is buried.
Practical info
St. Agnes Convent is located at Milosrdných 17, at the end of Anezka, off of Hastalské námestí. The nearest Metro station is Staromestska and trams 5, 8 and 24 also run nearby. The convent is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission is 150 Czech koruna.
Address: Milosrdných 17, Prague, Czech Republic
Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: 150 Czech koruna
From $ 14
St George's Chapel
Windsor is a handsome town in Berkshire, southeast England, with an ancient heart, a setting along the River Thames and a connection by bridge to Eton, home of one of England’s oldest and most prestigious public schools. St George’s Chapel sits next door to Windsor Castle, which is both the largest permanently occupied castle in the world and one of the official homes of HM The Queen. The chapel was founded in 1348 by King Edward III and is a fine example of Gothic styling with flying buttresses, glorious stained glass and a vaulted interior of exceptional grandeur, as befits the place of worship of the Royal Family.
It is the burial place of 10 English kings including Henry VIII and George III, as well as many other members of the monarchy, and is also home of the Knights of the Garter; this is one of the oldest chivalric orders in the world and the highest ceremonial accolade in the UK. Members currently include the Queen, Prince Charles and former leaders of the armed services, captains of industry and ex-Prime Ministers; their heraldic banners hang high above the choir in the chapel. St George’s is closed to visitors on Sunday, but all are welcome at any of the services throughout the week; they are held daily at 8:30am, 10:45am, noon and 5:15pm.
Practical Info
Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1NJ. Open Mar–Oct Mon–Sat 9:45am–5:15pm; Nov–Feb 9:45am–4:15pm. Admission includes entry to Windsor Castle: adults £19.20; seniors & students £17.50; under 17 £11.30; under 5 free; family ticket £49.70 (chapel services are free). Take the train from London Waterloo or Paddington via Slough to Windsor. By car, take the M4 and leave at exit 6, signposted to Windsor.
Address: Windsor Castle, Windsor, West Berkshire, England
Hours: Mar–Oct Mon–Sat 9.45am–5.15pm; Nov–Feb 9.45am–4.15pm
Admission: Includes Windsor Castle; dults £19.20; seniors & students £17.50; under 17 £11.30; under 5 free
From $ 52
St Adalbert Church
This church is one of the oldest stone-built religious buildings in all of Poland, with some of the eldest relics dating back to the 10th century. In fact, it has been around for so long that its floor is actually situated roughly two meters under the current level of the square, which was covered with different layers of pavement throughout the centuries. The church underwent several renovations according to the style that was fashionable from one era to the next, but it has remained relatively untouched since it was revamped in Baroque style in the 1610s. In opposition to the grand and voluminous St. Mary’s Basilica on the other end of the square, St. Adalbert Church is actually quite small and confined.
According to the legend, the church was erected on the site where St. Adalbert preached a famous sermon before he left on a mission to bring Christianity to Prussia that would lead him to his untimely and martyr death – it was later on proven by records that this was not the case and that St. Adalbert was alive and well as the official priest of the church for the better part of his life.
Practical Info
St Adalbert Church is located on Mariacki Square, the southeastern tip of Rynek Glowny in central historic Krakow. Entry is free of charge, however, there is an admission fee of 65 złoty per person for concerts. There are concerts every odd-numbered days of the month at 6 PM. Visitors should note that this is still a place of worship for a lot of locals, and should behave respectfully in that aspect.
Address: plac Mariacki, Kraków 31-042, Poland
From $ 20
St Anthony of Padua Church (Basilica di Sant'Antonio di Padova)
Located in the bustling neighborhood of Taksim in Istanbul, St Anthony of Padua Church (also referred to as Basilica di Sant'Antonio di Padova) is a Roman Catholic minor basilica that provides a respite from the shops and businesses surrounding it. It has the largest parish of the Catholic churches in Istanbul and mass is conducted by Italian priests. Mass in multiple languages is offered each week. In a city largely full of mosques, it is an interesting change of pace to visit St Anthony, which has long been at the epicenter of Catholicism in Istanbul. A famous Catholic figure who preached here was Pope John XXIII, who served as the Vatican's ambassador for Turkey before he was elected as pope in 1958. You'll see statues -- including one right by the entrance – and other displays commemorating his life as you walk around the church.
When visiting St Anthony of Padua, also take note of the neo-Gothic architecture. Though the original church on this location was built in the 1700s, it was torn down and rebuilt in this style in 1912. The outside of the church has a striking terra cotta color with intricate sunburst designs while the interior has elegant columns, mosaics on the wall and rays of natural light seeping in through elongated windows.
Practical Info
St Anthony of Padua is located off of Istiklal Caddesi Street. Entrance is free, though be aware if you are visiting Saturday evening or Sunday morning that mass may be going on and you won't be able to walk around the interior of the church as freely.
Address: İstiklal Caddesi No:171, Istanbul, Turkey
From $ 45
St Etienne du Mont
In a city filled with beautiful churches and cathedrals the likes of Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle, St Etienne du Mont remains one of the prettiest ecclesiastical buildings in Paris. Built between 1492 and 1655, the Gothic and Renaissance-style church in the city’s Latin Quarter houses the lone rood screen remaining in Paris, dating back to 1535.
Ste Genevieve, the patron of the city, was interred in the church’s southeastern corner before French revolutionaries destroyed her remains. Today, her ornate tomb includes a reliquary housing all that was left, a sole finger bone. Jean Racine and Blaise Pascal, two of the city’s most famous intellectuals, are also buried within the church.
Other items of note include the oldest pipe organ case in Paris (carved in 1631 by Jehan Buron), a baroque pulpit from 1651 and a series of stained glass windows dating from the early sixteenth century through the first part of the seventeenth century.
Practical Info
St Etienne du Mont is closed on Mondays. While visitors are welcome to attend services, they’re asked not to wander the church during times of worship.
Address: Place Sainte-Geneviève, Paris, France
Hours: Closed Mondays
From $ 29
St Germain des Pr es
As is common in Europe, the St Germain des Prés neighborhood is named after its church, in this case the sixth-century Benedictine Église de St-Germain-des-Prés, named after St Germain, in honor of the Bishop of Paris. We have this church to thank for the student-led vibe of the area; they donated the land from the church to the Seine and to the University of Paris, thus creating the Latin Quarter that we know and love today.
The main street in the neighborhood, in the sixth arrondissement, is the Haussmann-designed Boulevard St Germain. It has chic stores and plenty of cafes for people watching. In fact, the romance of whiling away the hours at a cafe was practically born in St Germain des Prés, at historic Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore.
The main street in the neighborhood, in the sixth arrondissement, is the Haussmann-designed Boulevard St Germain. It has chic stores and plenty of cafes for people watching. In fact, the romance of whiling away the hours at a cafe was practically born in St Germain des Prés, at historic Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore.
Practical Info
The M4 has a St Germain des Prés stop, which takes you to the southern end of the neighborhood; head north, and the neighborhood ends at the left bank of the Seine.
Address: 3 Place St-Germain des Prés, Paris 75006, France
From $ 14
St George's Basilica
St George's Basilica is the oldest church within the Prague Castle complex. This Romanesque building was founded by Prince Vratislav of Bohemia in 920 and was expanded upon in 973, with the addition of the St George's Benedictine Convent. In 1142, the basilica had to be rebuilt following a fire, and the Baroque facade that can be seen today was added in the late 17th century.
The church is home to several tombs and shrines of historical significance. A Gothic-style chapel holds the tomb of the saint, Ludmila of Bohemia, while the shrines of Vratislav and Boleslaus II are also inside. The interior is both unique and grand, with its high dark-wood ceiling serving to accentuate the narrowness of the church, and decorative windows in the stone walls allowing for light to enter in a dramatic way. The intricate paintwork of the altar and the frescos of the dome are the work of V.V. Reiner.
Today, St George's Basilica houses the 19th century Bohemian Art Collection of the National Gallery, as well as hosting various classical concerts.
Practical Info
St George’s Basilica is located within the Prague Castle complex. This can be reached by taking metro Line A to Malostranska station, and then taking tram number 22 to Prazsky hrad or Pohorelec. The admission fee for the basilica is included within the cost of the ticket into the castle complex. Prague Castle – Circuit A: Adult: CZK 350 / Child/Senior: CZK 175 // Circuit B: Adult: CZK 250 / Child/Senior: CZK 125.
Address: Prazsky hrad, Prague 119 08, Czech Republic
Hours: Prague Castle Complex: 6am-10pm / St George’s Basilica: 9am-5pm
Admission: CZK 125 - CZK 350
From $ 13
St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve
The St. Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve may be the best known destination along the Berwickshire coast of Scotland. Formed by a series of volcanic eruptions, it features dramatic cliffs, a rugged coastline and crystal clear waters. The reserve is especially popular with bird watchers, who flock to see some of the 30,000 guillemots, 3,600 kittiwakes and 1800 razorbills that call the area home. Visitors can also spot seals, dolphins and even whales at times. Traces of an Iron Age settlement have been found within the reserve, as have remnants of a 7th century Christian community founded by a Northumbrian princess.
Three walking trails are available around the reserve and it is fairly easy to cover all three in a day’s visit. The main trail is the Discovery Trail and two loops (the Lighthouse Loop and the Mire Loch Loop) start from the trail. A stroll along all three should take around three hours. Guided walks with park rangers are also available and a nature center showcases the history of the area, nature and wildlife and has leaflets for self-guided tours.
Practical Info
The St. Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve is open daily all year round and the nature center is open April 1 to October 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is only accessible by car. From the A1, take the A1107 to Coldingham, turn right onto Coldingham high street and drive one mile to the entrance.
Address: Northfield, Eyemouth, Scottish Borders, UK TD14 5QF, Scotland
Hours: Daily 24/7
From $ 14
St Cyril and St Methodius Cathedral
The Orthodox Cathedral Church of St Cyril and St Methodius (Katedrální chrám sv. Cyrila a Metoděje) was completed in 1736 in honor of the two saints who developed the Slavonic alphabet. In Baroque style, it is the work of architects Paul Ignaz Bayer and Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer, and it has an interior adorned with swirling floral frescoes by Jan Adam Schöpf.
However, the cathedral has another, more unexpected, claim to fame. In May 1942, Czech paratroopers were sent into Prague to assassinate the hated Nazi leader of Bohemia, Reichsprotektor Reinhard Heydrich. After wounding Heydrich (he died several days later), the partisans fled into hiding in the crypt of St Cyril and St Methodius but were betrayed to the SS and Gestapo. Realizing there was no escape, they committed suicide rather than be captured by Nazi troops. Later hundreds of innocent people in the Bohemian village of Lidice paid with their lives in retaliation for the assassination.
The intense bravery of the seven paratroopers involved in Heydrich’s death is marked with a permanent exhibition in their memory in the cathedral crypt, known as the National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror. The museum also tells the story of how the Czechs resisted Nazi occupation, and displays include maps, period photos and memorabilia.
Practical Info
The church is open Tue–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 9am-12pm. The museum is open Mar–Oct Tue–Sun 9am–5pm; Nov–Feb Tue–Sat 9am–5pm.
Admission for adults is 75 CZK; students are 50 CZK; children are 35 CZK. Entry is free with the Prague Welcome Card. Metro Line B or trams 3, 6, 18, 22 or 24 to Karlovo namesti.
Address: Resslova 9a, Nové Město, Prague 2, Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic
Hours: Church open Tue–Sat 9am–5pm; Sun 9am-12pm. Museum open Mar–Oct Tue–Sun 9am–5pm; Nov–Feb Tue–Sat 9am–5pm
Admission: Adults 75 CZK; Students 50 CZK; Children 35 CZK
From $ 14
St Catherine's Church
The Normandy town of Honfleur is home to St Catherine’s Church, the largest surviving wooden chapel in France. Built after the Hundred Years’ War by local 15th-century shipbuilders, the “Axe Masters” managed to create the impressive nave without using one saw. A century later, the chapel’s patronage had grown so much that it was decided St Catherine’s Church should be doubled in size. A second identical nave was built to match the first, giving the chapel an interesting “twin” architecture, so when you head inside the church look up at the ceiling—you’ll see it looks just like two upturned boats, which makes sense considering the naval background of its builders.
Dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the church is partially covered in chestnut shingles, while the interior pillars are decorated in colorful flags from around the world. You’ll see light streaming in through the 19th-century stained glass windows, and look out for the church’s classical organ from the parish St Vincent of Rouen, too.
Practical Info
On Place St Catherine in Honfleur, St Catherine Church is open daily. Also, throughout the year, street markets are held in the square outside the church. Honfleur is 37 miles (60 km) from Caen and 15 miles (25 km) from Le Havre.
Address: Honfleur 14600, France
From $ 109
St Francis of Assisi Church
The 130-foot-high (40-meter-high) green cupola of the church of St. Francis of Assisi peeps above the rooftops of Prague’s Staré Město (Old Town). Designed by French architect Jean-Baptiste Mathey, built by Gaudenzio Casanova and Domenico Canevalle, and consecrated in 1688, the neoclassical structure replaced the original Franciscan church, which was built in 1270.
The Basics
The marble interior of the church is a masterpiece of frenzied baroque frescoes, including a series by Czech artist Václav Vavřinec Reiner depicting the Last Judgment, which adorns the domed cupola. Reiner also painted the portraits of the church’s patrons covering the pillars in the cross-shaped nave. Fellow Czech artist Johann Christoph Lischka painted the angels on the ceiling of the presbytery, as well as Stigmata of St. Francis adorning the main altar.
St. Francis of Assisi Church boasts the second-oldest organ in Prague, a massive gilt affair that was played by both Mozart and Dvořák. Today this Roman Catholic church is one of the city’s most popular venues for classical, baroque, and jazz concerts led by performers from the renowned Czech Opera and Orchestra. The church is small, with only 70 seats, and the concerts are popular, so reserve tickets ahead.
Things to Know Before You Go
- St. Francis of Assisi Church is a must-visit for those interested in architecture, art, and history.
- Admission to the church is free; concert ticket prices vary.
- Taking photos inside is permitted, as long as you don’t use the flash.
How to Get There
St. Francis of Assisi Church is just off Prague’s famed Charles Bridge, less than a 10-minute walk from the center of the Old Town. Metro line A and tram 17 stop at Staroměstská station, a five-minute walk away. Karlovy lázně tram station, served by lines 17 and 18, is a two-minute walk away.
When to Get There
The church is open daily from 10am to 7pm. Concerts and recitals typically take place in the evening. Usually three musicians, soloists from prominent opera and orchestra ensembles, perform at the concerts, which typically last one hour. Close to several elegant restaurants serving traditional and contemporary European food, the church is an ideal place to enjoy a concert before dinner.
Order of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star
Adjacent to the church, you’ll find a monastery of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star. Originally established as a hospital fraternity by Agnes of Bohemia in 1233 and promoted to the order of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star in 1237, it is the only order of Czech origin. You can see the symbol of the order engraved into sidewalk directly in front of the church.
Address: Křižovnické náměstí 3, Prague, Czech Republic
From $ 21
St Columba's Bay
St. Columba’s Bay, on the island of Iona off the coast of Scotland, is a beach of colorful stones that have been polished by the tide. It is known for its scenery and tranquility, with grassy knolls to relax on beside the water. Iona is a spiritual hub for Scotland as it was the center of early Christianity in the country.
Saint Columba is said to have first set foot on Iona landing on this bay in 563 AD, setting up his monastery thereafter. The bay is on a remote area of the island and it can take a bit of a trek to reach it, but the views and calm nature of the area are worth it. Seasonally there are often birds and wildflowers lining to path to the bay. Be on the lookout for the beautiful, small green stones that are known as “St Columba’s tears.”
Practical Info
St Columba’s Bay is accessible from Camas Cuil an t-Saimh. From there follow the Machair via a path that goes over the hill. You can also walk there from the Iona Pier. The walk can be strenuous, and bringing along water and snacks is recommended.
Address: Isle of Iona, Scotland
From $ 357
St Benezet Bridge (Pont d'Avignon)
The St. Benezet Bridge - known as the Pont d’Avignon - is a famous bridge located in Avignon. The 12th century bridge originally spanned 900 m (2,950ft) across the Rhône River. The bridge collapsed frequently and was reconstructed multiple times. Today, only 4 of the original 22 arches remain complete.
The inception of the St. Benezet Bridge centers around a local shepherd boy of the same name who was told by an angel to construct the bridge. He proved his divine inspiration to the town and wealthy benefactors by lifting a large stone block. The bridge also served as a place of worship for Rhône boatmen until it became so unsteady it was deemed dangerous. The bridge is also historically significant in that was an important strategic river crossing.
Come visit the Pont d'Avignon on that now spans less than half the Rhône River to get a taste of medieval France. It is a popular vantage point to admire Avignon and the river.
Address: Rue Ferruce, Avignon 84000, France
Hours: 9am-9pm Jul, 9:00-8pm Aug-Sep; 9am-7pm mid-Mar-Jun & Oct, 9.30am-5.45pm Nov-mid-Mar
From $ 45