The World's Greatest Churches

Watch The World's Greatest Churches

  • TV-PG
  • 2014
  • 1 Season

The World's Greatest Churches from The Great Courses Signature Collection takes viewers on a breathtaking journey to explore some of the most remarkable churches around the world. Led by Professor William R. Cook, a renowned art historian and expert on the subject, the series offers a fascinating look into the architecture, history, and art that make these churches so awe-inspiring.

The series is made up of 24 half-hour episodes, each focusing on a different church. Throughout the series, viewers are taken on a global journey, visiting iconic churches in countries such as Italy, Greece, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

One of the great strengths of The World's Greatest Churches is its ability to reveal the intricate details of these churches that are often overlooked by casual observers. The series explores not only the grand facades and towering spires that dominate the skyline, but also the hidden treasures that lie within.

For example, in the episode on the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, Italy, viewers are taken on a tour of the lower church, where they can see the stunning frescoes by Giotto di Bondone that depict the life of Saint Francis. Meanwhile, the episode on the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, reveals the intricate mosaics that cover the walls and ceilings of the church, which have been painstakingly restored over the centuries.

Another notable aspect of The World's Greatest Churches is its willingness to explore the complex histories that surround these buildings. Many of the churches featured in the series have been around for hundreds or even thousands of years, and have been shaped by a variety of historical and cultural influences.

For example, the episode on the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Italy, delves into the political and religious context in which Michelangelo created his famous ceiling frescoes. Meanwhile, the episode on the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba in Spain explores the Islamic and Christian influences that are evident in the architectural design.

Throughout the series, Professor Cook provides insightful commentary that deepens viewers' understanding of the art, history, and cultural significance of these churches. His years of expertise in the field of art history are evident in every episode, as he guides viewers through the complex web of influences that have shaped some of the world's greatest churches.

Overall, The World's Greatest Churches from The Great Courses Signature Collection is a must-watch series for anyone interested in art, history, or religion. With its stunning visuals, insightful commentary, and global scope, it offers a unique and captivating look into some of the most remarkable churches in the world.

The World's Greatest Churches is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between October 24, 2014 and on The Great Courses Signature Collection

Filter by Source

Do you have Paramount+?
What are you waiting for?
Nice! Browse Paramount+ with Yidio.
Ad Info
Seasons
Two Churches in Seoul, Korea
24. Two Churches in Seoul, Korea
October 24, 2014
In the final leg of your journey, grasp how Korean architect Kim Swoo Geun blended elements of Buddhist temples, modern Western architecture, universal church practices, and Korean Christian history to create beautiful and meaningful Christian spaces. Conclude with reflections on the diversity, cultural adaptations, and ultimate universality of the great buildings you've studied.
Iceland's Hallgrimskirkja
23. Iceland's Hallgrimskirkja
October 24, 2014
Discover how the dramatic exterior of this contemporary basilical church reflects the geological features of the Icelandic landscape. Investigate the themes of the church's decoration, as they express the Passion-centered character of Lutheranism, the stark beauty of Iceland, and a Christian spirituality based in simplicity and humble devotion.
La Sagrada Familia
22. La Sagrada Familia
October 24, 2014
This spellbinding creation by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi interprets the Gothic cathedral through Gaudi's visionary, modernist style. Study the striking sculpted decoration of the exterior portals, the dreamlike interior with its columns fashioned as stylized trees, and the powerful Christian iconography of this unique melding of the traditional and the radically new.
Four Great American Churches
21. Four Great American Churches
October 24, 2014
On our own soil, explore two classic churches of the New England tradition, whose characteristic features form part of the American landscape. Then observe how the elegant simplicity of a Quaker meeting house embodies Quaker values, and how the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. expresses both its Anglican roots and a distinctly American character.
Guadalupe and the Cathedral of Mexico City
20. Guadalupe and the Cathedral of Mexico City
October 24, 2014
Journey to one of the most important pilgrimage centers in the world, the Mexican shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, followed by Mexico City's great metropolitan Cathedral. At both sites, observe how the buildings' construction, art, and iconography vividly convey the mixture of Christian, indigenous, and Spanish cultures in the New World.
La Compania and Las Lajas Sanctuary
19. La Compania and Las Lajas Sanctuary
October 24, 2014
In this first look at New World churches, visit the Spanish Baroque "La Compania" in Quito, Ecuador. Study the elaborately sculpted façade, the stunning golden interior, and the profusion of sumptuous artworks. Also encounter the remarkable Las Lajas, a neo-Gothic pilgrimage church built to enclose a cave painting of the Virgin Mary.
The Wieskirche in Bavaria
18. The Wieskirche in Bavaria
October 24, 2014
This dazzling church in southern Germany embodies the joyful exuberance of the Rococo style. In studying its almost overwhelming decoration of florid ornamentation, lyrical paintings, and animated statuary, observe how the detailed symbolism of the artworks ingeniously expresses the church's themes of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
St. Peter's Basilica
17. St. Peter's Basilica
October 24, 2014
Experience the splendor of the world's largest church and the seat of the papacy, among the most iconic creations of the Christian world. Trace the history of the complex as you take in the resplendent dome by Michelangelo and the Renaissance grandeur of statuary, monuments, papal tombs, and the grand baldacchino by Bernini.
The Cathedral of Siena
16. The Cathedral of Siena
January 1, 1970
Discover how Siena's wondrous cathedral, in its construction and decoration, reflects the civic pride and history of the Sienese. Explore masterpieces of Renaissance and Baroque art, from the elaborate, inscribed marble floor and Duccio altarpiece to sculpture by Michelangelo and Bernini, and the phenomenal carved pulpit by Nicola Pisano.
Winchester Cathedral
15. Winchester Cathedral
October 24, 2014
Winchester Cathedral stands as a virtual handbook of later medieval architecture, blending decorative elements of extraordinary beauty and rarity. In particular, study the breathtakingly ornate "fan" vaulting, uniquely important tombs, rare medieval frescoes and woodcarving, and the spectacular illuminated pages of the Winchester Bible.
Chartres Cathedral
14. Chartres Cathedral
October 24, 2014
This grand edifice is widely considered the most outstanding cathedral of the Gothic style. Look deeply into its huge and complex decorative scheme, highlighting the explosion of biblical sculpture on the façade and side porches, and the masterful stained-glass rose and lancet windows, a richly detailed view into medieval life and theology.
The Cathedral of Monreale
13. The Cathedral of Monreale
October 24, 2014
Uncover the cosmopolitan character of this beloved Sicilian cathedral that encompasses Muslim, Byzantine, French, Italian, and Jewish influences. Delve into the remarkable decoration of the great cloisters, 12th-century doors, and above all the cathedral's ceiling and sublime narrative mosaics, comprising one of the world's most beautiful church interiors.
The Pilgrimage Church of Sainte-Foy
12. The Pilgrimage Church of Sainte-Foy
October 24, 2014
Walk in the shoes of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela in this visit to the magnificent church at Conques. View the bejeweled reliquary of the martyred Sainte Foy, pause to appreciate soaring Romanesque vaulting and extraordinary carved capitals, and decipher the imagery of the superlative tympanum that vividly dramatizes the Last Judgment.
The Stave Churches of Norway
11. The Stave Churches of Norway
October 24, 2014
Journey to the picturesque landscapes of rural Norway, which are home to a unique tradition of wooden churches dating from the 12th century. Study the complex, multi-tiered construction of the churches, featuring intricate carving, painted sculpture, and a strikingly beautiful blending of indigenous Norwegian decoration and medieval Christian art.
The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
10. The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
October 24, 2014
Contemplate the remarkable history of this hybrid religious structure, a medieval cathedral built entirely within a majestic former mosque. Explore the striking Islamic archways and scalloped dome, leading to the Renaissance/Gothic cathedral with its imposing vaulting, sumptuous decoration, and monumental wood-carved choir - a compelling and unforgettable juxtaposition of cultures.
The Rock-Hewn Churches of Ethiopia
9. The Rock-Hewn Churches of Ethiopia
October 24, 2014
Visit the monolithic churches of Lalibela, each completely carved from a single piece of rock, creating the illusion of columns and vaulted ceilings. Study their mysterious architectural details and their interior artworks, rich with religious symbolism, and learn about Ethiopia's links to the Old and New Testaments.
The Churches of Georgia
8. The Churches of Georgia
January 1, 1970
Continue with the superlative decoration of the historic churches of Georgia. In Mtskheta, Santavro, and Ruisi, study exterior stone carvings evoking striking Christian imagery. Delve into the extraordinary theological vision and stunning frescoes of the Ateni Sioni church, the cathedral of Nikortsminda, and the World Heritage site of Gelati.
The Churches of Armenia
7. The Churches of Armenia
October 24, 2014
This lecture takes you deeply into the Armenian artistic heritage of Christianity. In visits to a spectrum of beautiful churches and monasteries, encounter the rich detail and ornate elaboration of stone carving depicting religious iconography, as well as architectural traditions such as unusual vaulted domes and "khachkars" (free-standing stone monuments).
The Painted Churches of Romania
6. The Painted Churches of Romania
October 24, 2014
The churches of Romanian Moldavia, unique in the world, are richly adorned with frescoes both inside and outside. Explore examples of the extraordinary exterior paintings, noting how narrative themes are consistent on north, west, east, and south-facing walls. Study the three-room church interiors, and the frescoes' remarkable range of religious themes.
Great Churches of Russia
5. Great Churches of Russia
October 24, 2014
Discover the extraordinary beauties of the churches of the Russian Orthodox tradition. Learn about the religious culture that inspired these structures, with their characteristic gilded domes and striking decoration of sculpture, frescoes, and tile work. Visit outstanding cathedrals in Vladimir, Suzdal, and Yaroslavl, as well as the Kremlin churches of Moscow.
The Cave Churches of Cappadocia
4. The Cave Churches of Cappadocia
October 24, 2014
Here, ponder the highly unusual churches of Turkish Cappadocia, elaborately carved into the sides of mountains within a mysterious and otherworldly landscape. Glimpse the lives of the monks and hermits who lived here, and study the churches' astonishing frescoes that richly illustrate biblical scenes and the life of Jesus.
Hagia Sophia
3. Hagia Sophia
October 24, 2014
Learn about the dramatic past of this jewel of Constantinople, which served as a church for 1,000 years before becoming a mosque. Discover one of the world's most extraordinary architectural spaces, highlighting its awe-inspiring dome and grand interiors. Also linger over its superlative mosaics, carved columns, and decoration in colored marbles.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
2. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
October 24, 2014
In visiting this iconic church of the Holy Land, trace the history of the building and of the medieval reconstruction we see today. Study the church's unusual structure, incorporating the "aedicule" believed to be the site of Jesus's burial and resurrection, as well as individual chapels reflecting events of the passion of Christ.
The Earliest Churches
1. The Earliest Churches
October 24, 2014
Begin by considering what defines a church, encompassing both its religious uses and its functions as a place of assembly. Learn how the first churches came into being, based architecturally on the secular pagan "basilica." Study some of the best surviving basilica-type churches in Italy, noting their structural features and their remarkable mosaic decoration.
Description
Where to Watch The World's Greatest Churches
The World's Greatest Churches is available for streaming on the The Great Courses Signature Collection website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The World's Greatest Churches on demand at Amazon Prime and Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    October 24, 2014
  • Sports Stream Live Sports and Breaking News
  • Thousands of Episodes Tens of thousands of TV show episodes
  • Something for Everyone Movies and shows for the whole family
Ad Info