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Churches That Defy Expectations
A church isn't always just a quiet building with a steeple. Sometimes it's a masterpiece of engineering, a work of art, or even a place carved out of solid rock.

Built Without a Single Nail
On the island of Kizhi in Russia, the Church of the Transfiguration stands as a testament to incredible craftsmanship. Dating back to the 17th century, this wooden structure was built entirely without nails, using interlocking logs instead.

A Cathedral Carved in Salt
Deep underground in Colombia, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá was built 180 meters below the surface inside a salt mine. It was originally created as a place for miners to pray for safety before their shifts and now welcomes over 600,000 visitors a year.

Decorated with Bones
The Sedlec Ossuary in the Czech Republic contains the bones of at least 40,000 people, artistically arranged to form decorations and furnishings, including a famous chandelier.

The World's Most Inaccessible Church
In Ethiopia, the Abuna Yemata Guh church is quite literally a cliffhanger. To reach it, visitors must climb a sheer rock face. The reward is a church with a dome dating back to the sixth century and remarkably well-preserved wall paintings.

A Chapel on a Volcanic Plug
In France, the Chapel Saint Michel d'Aiguilhe was built in 969 on a 279-foot-tall volcanic rock. Visitors must climb 268 steps carved into the rock to reach it.

A Survivor of the Great Fire
Old St. Patrick's Church in Chicago is the oldest church in the city and one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Its stained glass windows, inspired by Celtic art, are a must