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The oldest public building in Montevideo, located on Constitution Square, is the city’s Roman Catholic cathedral. Built in 1804 on the site of an earlier church from 1740, it is commonly referred to as la Iglesia Matriz, or “mother church,” acknowledging it as the first church in the region. Its lavish interior is rich in marble and it’s also the final resting place of many of Uruguay’s most important political figures.

Despite its relatively small size, the Santa Marta Cathedral is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, with its gleaming white stucco and its elegant neoclassical facade. A witness to the history of Santa Marta since the mid-18th century, the church boasts that it is the oldest in Colombia, although there are a number of other churches with claims to that title. In any case, the cathedral is today both an active place of worship and a historic monument, as both the home of the remains of the city’s founder and as the site of Simón Bolívar’s first burial. (His remains were disinterred after 12 years and moved to Caracas, where Bolívar was born and raised.) The square in front of the cathedral is also an ideal place to rest and watch the life of the city unfold in front of you.

Tucked behind a religious statue behind the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Tafuna, you’ll find one of the island’s several tia seu lupe, or star mounds. This example, three meters (almost 10 feet) high, is one of the best-preserved and most easily accessible of these mysterious configurations. Believed to have been used in a ritual by tribal chiefs to capture pigeons for an unknown rite, these stepped-stone structures are similar to others found throughout Polynesia.

Known for its eye-catching Romanesque and Gothic architecture, the Nidaros Cathedral is one of the most important religious monuments in northern Europe. The end point of pilgrims’ trails from all across Scandinavia, the cathedral is built over the burial site of Saint Olav, the king of Norway in the 11th century, who became the patron saint of the nation. Don’t miss the adjacent Archbishop’s Palace, where you can get a glimpse of the impressive crown jewels used during the coronation ceremonies. The crypt is also worth a look for its macabre collection of marble gravestones.

Though it is just outside the French Quarter, St. Joseph’s Cathedral is one of the most famous landmarks of the colonial era in Hanoi. The neo-Gothic church was modeled after Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral and sits on the west side of Lake Hoan Kiem. The church dates from 1886, making it the oldest church in the capital city. (Vietnam has a Catholic population of around 4 million people.) After the Viet Minh officially took control of North Vietnam in 1954, following the Geneva Accords, Catholic leaders and institutions were repressed and St. Joseph’s was closed for decades. In 1990, services resumed, and now several masses take place each day, sometimes drawing more worshipers than can fit in the building.

An obligatory photo op for anyone visiting Stanley is the Whalebone Arch, situated in front of Christ Church Cathedral. Constructed in 1933 from the jawbones of two blue whales, it commemorates a century of continuous British administration in the Falklands—plus, the soaring arch offers perspective on the size of these marine giants. But don’t stop at the arch: Step inside the cathedral to learn about the history of Christianity in this remote settlement. The southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world, Christ Church was built in the 1890s from regional stone on the former site of Holy Trinity Church, which was ruined by the devastating peat slip (a type of landslide) that destroyed part of Stanley in 1886. The locals are proud of this building—it decorates the reverse side of Falkland pound notes.

Dedicated in 1928 after an earlier church was razed and rebuilt, the Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral is typical of Catholic architecture, with two cross-topped towers, a central rosette window, and a cruciform layout. The church is open for visitors to attend mass on weekdays at 6:30 a.m., Saturdays at 6:30 p.m., and Sundays at 8:30 a.m.

The choice of whether to build a church following a Gothic Revival or neoclassical design involved more than just aesthetics in 19th-century Québec. The former tended to be associated with Protestantism, and so the construction of the Catholic Basilica of Notre-Dame in that style raised eyebrows. When the St-Jacques Cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1852, the architects who designed a new church for the site, the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, opted for the neoclassical style that was more typical of Catholic buildings. Constructed from 1874 to 1895, it is a quarter-scale version of St. Peter’s in Rome, complete with coffered vaults and twisting columns in imitation of those of Lorenzo Bernini’s baldachin in the Eternal City. The building’s green copper dome makes a statement, too, looming as it does over the largely Protestant neighborhood. The stucco crucifix by sculptor Philippe Hébert is one of most important works of art in the church.

Before reaching this incredible castle, you will be astounded by the beautiful pastures and lakes along the roadside. Lambs occasionally trot across allowing a great opportunity for photos. Upon reaching Kylemore, you will enter through a quaint cafe for lattes, tea and delicious pastries. The tour begins walking through this enormous castle turned legendary private school that was originally owned by Mitchell Henry who built it for his wife. After taking in the luxuriousness of the manicured walls and decorations, you can then walk to the little cathedral. The cathedral is just as impressive as the castle. The pillars inside are made up of five different types of marble. Following the cathedral, you can choose to walk to the walled Victoria gardens or take the shuttle that runs to and fro the castle. The gardens have several green houses and a vast amount of exotic plants that dazzle the eyes and invigorate the nose! Here you can sit down for a coffee or tea and simply enjoy the man-made beauty that has lasted over a century. There are also several nature walks to allow more time for one to take in Ireland’s beauty. This is a fascinating place to admire historic architecture and learn about the love story that started it all!

The first town in France liberated after the D-Day invasion was never damaged, so Bayeux’s historic sites remain wonderfully intact. The most famous attraction here is the Bayeux Tapestry, in the Bayeux Museum. The unique embroidered cloth is 70 meters long and describes the events preceding William the Conqueror’s invasion of England. The tapestry’s original home, Bayeux Cathedral, is also worth a visit to see where King Harold may have taken an oath, later broken, leading to the Battle of Hastings.

This French colonial gem is nicknamed “the Iron Cathedral” for the girders that have helped see it through earthquakes and hurricanes. The sunny hue makes the 19th-century basilica easy to spot; go inside to see more beautiful ironwork.

Montevideo’s Ciudad Vieja, or Old Town, is located on a peninsula separating the Río de la Plata from the harbor. It has the orderly grid typical of many Spanish cities in the New World. Until 1829, the Ciudad Vieja was walled though today only one gate (the Puerta de la Ciudadela) remains of those defenses. This section of Montevideo is home to many of the city’s most famous historic buildings, including the cathedral and the Cabildo, which today houses the city’s archives.

Like nearly every Latin American city, Santiago has at its heart a civic square open to the public and brimming with life (and these squares are often named Plaza de Armas). Santiago’s Plaza de Armas is distinguished by two fine buildings, the Central Post Office and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Both buildings were constructed in the 18th century, although the cathedral was much altered in later years. The square is full of lively activity—an excellent spot for people-watching and getting to know this city’s energy.

A neoclassical building in Plaka thoughtfully renovated into a boutique hotel, the ZIllers has ten guest rooms and a rooftop restaurant and bar. The building was designed by Ernst Ziller, a German architect whose work can be seen all around Greece, notably at Athens’ National Theatre, Presidential Mansion, and the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art. The original high ceilings, wood floors, and wrought iron-balconies have been retained and refreshed with a modern minimalist decor. While value priced, rooms with atrium views can be dark and Acropolis views are worth the upgrade. Rates include breakfast served in room or on the rooftop, book ahead for dining at other times as it is popular with locals. The contemporary Greek menu might include shrimp with buffalo milk couscous or sea bass in a dill and lime foam, plus innovative desserts like Greek coffee mousse with olive oil jelly. Location is also faultless, overlooking the Athens Cathedral, and a five-minute walk from Monastiraki or Syntagma Square.

Discover the medieval charm of Sweden’s oldest town, just a short bus ride from Helsingborg. Don’t miss the remarkable astronomical clock, crypt, bronze pillars and sculpted facade of the striking Lund Cathedral, where daily services have been held for almost 900 years. Stroll the streets of Kulturen, an open-air museum that showcases the buildings and gardens of the Middle Ages. While steeped in history, Lund retains a youthful atmosphere thanks to its thriving university, the largest in Sweden.