Advisors with clients who revel in historical marvels, preferring the soulful echoes of Gothic churches to often gimmicky Halloween dress-up parties can refer to Rail Europe’s suggestion for an All Saints’ Day train journey through Europe, as this might just be the way to honour departed souls, while appreciating the architectural marvels across the continent.
The iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral is a Gothic jewel that has withstood the test of time. With its reopening scheduled for 8 December 2024, five years after its devastating fires, visitors will still need to wait til 2027 to see and fully enjoy the redevelopment of Cathedral’s forecourt and its surroundings featuring spacious green spaces. The high-speed Eurostar connects London and Paris in under 2h20m.
The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona is a pristine example of Catalan Gothic architecture, where its elegant simplicity will leave visitors awestruck. Built in 55 years between 1329 and 1384, it is the only surviving church of its kind – i.e. in the pure Catalan Gothic style. Visitors can head to the rooftops of the Basilica to enjoy spectacular views of the city and its medieval urban framework. The France-Spain High-Speed train connects Paris and Barcelona in under 6h30m.
Further east in the charming city of Prague is the St. Vitus Cathedral. The largest and most important temple in the city, the majestic Cathedral was the place of coronations for the country’s past kings and queens. Dominating the city skyline with its imposing spires and richly adorned façade, one can almost feel the whispers of history in the air when standing at its grand entrance. From Paris, Prague is just over 10h30m away, and from Munich, it’s 5h30m.
Over in Milan, the Milan Cathedral, or as locals call it “Duomo di Milano”, awaits. The largest and most interesting Gothic complex in Italy, the Cathedral is home to thousands of statues, gargoyles and figures. Featuring contrasting architectural styles including Gothic Revival, Gothic Flamboyant and Romanticism, the delicate details of the Cathedral’s façade are bound to mesmerise. Visitors can also take in breathtaking views and admire the Duomo’s pinnacles and spires up close on the rooftop terrace. The train journey from Paris to Milan is 6h37m and from Zurich, it’s 3h17m.
Finally up in Cologne is the Cologne Cathedral, the world’s tallest twin-spired church. Home of the shrine of The Three Wise Men, the Cathedral which also houses the largest swinging church bell in the world took more than 600 years to build. The sheer size and intricate craftsmanship of this UNESCO World Heritage Site will leave makes for an ideal end to any European Gothic odyssey. From Paris, Cologne is only 3h20m away.
