10 Tallest Churches in the World

These are the 10 tallest churches in the world today. 

Some churches such as Lincoln Cathedral in England and St. Olaf in Estonia were tall enough at one time to make this list, but both suffered damage which has lowered their heights.

This list is for churches only, so mosques and other religious buildings are not included. I'm also leaving out the Chicago Temple building, which is 568 feet high, but many floors in the building are used for office space.

10 Tallest Churches in the World

1. Ulm Minster in Germany—530 feet in height

The Ulm Minster is a Lutheran church located in Ulm, Germany that has a total height of 530 feet, which makes it the tallest church in the world. The Ulm Minster was started in 1377 and not completed until 1890. Today the tallest church in the world, the Ulm Minster, is a big tourist attraction in Germany. From the top, one can view the Alps in the distance.

2. Our Lady of Peace Basilica in the Ivory Coast in Africa—518 feet

Our Lady of Peace Basilica is a Roman Catholic Church located in the city of Yamoussoukro in the Ivory Coast in Africa. Our Lady of Peace Basilica was built from 1985 to 1989. The top spire on top of the dome of the church is 518 feet high, which makes Our Lady of Peace Basilica the second tallest church in the world today.

3. Cologne Cathedral in Germany—516 feet

The Cologne Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church located in Cologne, Germany is the third tallest church in the world at 516 feet high. Built from 1248 to completion in 1880, Cologne Cathedral was the tallest building in the world from 1880 to 1884. Cologne Cathedral is another big tourist attraction in Germany visited by some ten million visitors a year.

4. Rouen Cathedral in France—495 feet

At 495 feet in height, Rouen Cathedral is the fourth tallest church in the world. Rouen Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church located in Rouen, France that was built from 1202 to 1880. Rouen Cathedral was the tallest building in the world from 1876 to 1880, when Cologne Cathedral surpassed it. Rouen Cathedral is a popular tourist attraction in France.

5. St. Nicholas' Church in Germany—483 feet

St. Nichols' Church in Hamburg, Germany is 483 feet high. Built as a Lutheran Church, most of St. Nicholas' Church was destroyed in a bombing run during WW II in 1943, but the tower remains standing. St. Nicholas' Church was built from 1846 to 1872, and was the tallest building in the world from 1874 to 1876 when Rouen Cathedral surpassed it.

St. Nicholas' Church is a popular tourist attraction in Hamburg, Germany. Visitors can take an elevator to a platform some 250 feet up the spire in St. Nicholas' for great views of Hamburg.

6. Strasbourg Cathedral in France—466 feet

The Strasbourg Cathedral in Strasbourg, France is 466 feet high, which makes it the sixth tallest church in the world. Built from 1015 to 1439, Strasbourg Cathedral was the tallest building in the world from 1647 to 1874. Millions of people visit Strasbourg Cathedral every year in France.

7. Basilica of Our Lady of Lichen in Poland—464 feet

The Basilica of Our Lady of Lichen is a 464 foot tall Roman Catholic Church located in Lichen Stary in central Poland. Built from 1994 to 2004, Basilica of Our Lady of Lichen was designed by architect Barbara Bielecka. Basilica of Our Lady of Lichen is a big pilgrimage site in Poland that attracts millions of visitors and tourists a year to Poland.

8. St. Peter's Basilica in Rome—448 feet

Probably the most famous church in the world, the Roman Catholic Church St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City in Rome, Italy is the eighth tallest church in the world at 448 feet in height. St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most visited tourist sites in Rome, Italy, and in the world today.

9. St. Stephen's Cathedral in Austria—445 feet

St. Stephen's Cathedral is a Catholic Church located in Vienna, Austria. Built beginning in 1147, St. Stephen's Cathedral's south tower stands 445 feet high, which makes St. Stephen's the ninth tallest church in the world.

10. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Austria—440 feet

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the New Cathedral in Linz, Austria stands 440 feet high, making it the 10th tallest church in the world. New Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church that was built beginning in 1862. There are 20,000 seats inside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception which makes it the largest church in Austria.