The Most Beautiful Ceilings In The World
Travel || Tags: Travel Inspiration ||Want to admire beautiful ceilings? Check out the most beautiful ceilings from around the world, from painted to interesting architecture!
I have always loved ceilings. That may seem a little odd, but I love staring in wonder at an interesting ceiling. I find myself taking so many photos of beautiful ceilings around the world, that I wanted to share some with you. Fellow travel bloggers and I are sharing a little bit about different beautiful ceilings found in churches to hotels to book stores!
Beautiful Ceilings From Around The World
The Hall Of Mirrors, Palace Of Versailles, France
When someone walks down the magnificent Hall Of Mirrors at the Palace Of Versailles, they’re usually looking at the mirrors and windows. Not me, I look up to the beautiful ceiling. The 73 metre vaulted ceiling was painted by Le Brun, depicts the political successes of Louis XIV through the first 18 years of his reign. 30 painted compositions coupled with the number of mirrors proved France’s economic prosperity.
The Hall of Mirrors was built to connect the King’s Apartment to the North, and the Queen’s apartment in the south. Work began in 1678, and ended in 1684. This room housed the celebration for the wedding of King Louis XIV and Marie-Antoinette on April 19, 1770.
Read More: Day Trips From Paris (including Versailles!)
ANZ Gothic Banking Chamber, Melbourne Australia
In the heart of the City of Melbourne is a historic building that has now become significant and part of Australian history. It is not known as a major tourist icon by any means, but it is worthy of attention as one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. The intricate detail adorning the ceiling is superb.
Built between 1883 -1887 the ‘Gothic Bank’ as it is fondly known as was an English, Scottish and Australia Chartered Bank (ES&A), the former name of what is now the ANZ Bank.
Regarded as Australia’s finest example of the English Gothic Revival Style, it is now a museum. the building is classified by National Trust Australia as being of world significance.
Jane, Wicked Walkabout
Registran, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
One of the most beautiful ceilings in the world is the painted ceiling of the Tilya-Kori Madrasa in the Registan complex of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It’s the most incredible blue and gold color that I’ve ever seen. The painting is literally gold leaf (and flowers and other symbols). The pattern is mesmerizing and very photographic if you position yourself correctly. This was one of my favorite sights on the famous Silk Road.
Lisa, TheHotFlashPacker
United Nations Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
Nearly 10 years ago, the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva unveiled a beautiful ceiling design created by Spanish artist, Miquel Barcelo. Known for his abstract work, Barcelo created an elaborate ceiling design out of torn aluminum and brightly colored paints for the Geneva U.N. He created bold, sharp icicle-like shapes out of the malleable metal before applying swatches of eye-catching color.
In order to see this ceiling, you have to take a tour of the United Nations in Geneva. These are available Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Be sure to check that these times are still standing, as they are subject to change due to U.N. meetings.
Sarah, Borders and Bucketlists
Markthal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Partly residential, partly offices and most important partly an epic food hall with a gorgeous arched, painted interior.
The Markthal in Rotterdam is an iconic building right in the middle of the City. You’ll find locals and tourists alike mingling here at all hours of the day to eat, drink and hang out here.
Aside from its sheer size and quirky shape, from the outside the Markthal looks nothing too special (especially because it’s right opposite the iconic and brightly coloured Cube House which certainly takes the lime light). However, step inside and it’s another story.
Once inside, instantly, your eyes can’t help but be drawn towards the 11000m sq. ceiling. You’ll be greeted by a panoramic display of colours, flowers, creatures, insects, food-stuffs fruit and vegetables. This awesome masterpiece created by Arno Coenen. He titled it Hoorn des Overvloeds, which translates to Horn of Plenty, it’s easy to see why!
The Markthal was unveiled in 2014 and has been dubbed by some as The Sistine Chapel of Rotterdam.
It was produced by crating 3D digital models of the scene, then separated into 4000 pieces. The pieces were then printed on to aluminium planes before being assembled and mounted to the ceiling.
Markthal is certainly a feast for both the eyes and the belly and certainly a must-see landmark if you are in Rotterdam.
Becki, Meet Me In Departures
Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France
As a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, Notre-Dame Cathedral was designed to draw your eye upward to the heavens, which also gives you a look at its beautiful ceilings. Notre-Dame’s ceilings use vaults that come together to support construction of such a massive building. Additionally, the vaults help distribute weight in a way that allows for soaring walls filled with detailed stained glass. Notre-Dame has a dim, quiet ambiance that is accentuated by the beautiful stonework. In some of the side chapels, there are ceilings painted with bright colors and patterns. Notre-Dame is filled with architectural and artistic treasures, so be sure to look up and admire its beautiful ceilings.
Pam and Kathrine, Everywhere Forward
La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
A masterpiece in the making for the last two centuries, Antoni Gaudi’s famed La Sagrada Familia attracts over 3 million annual visitors – and it’s easy to see why!
Unlike many other basilicas throughout Europe light bounces through the basilica’s interior so effortlessly, illuminating many features that have made La Sagrada Familia so unique. Looming posts supporting the decorative ceiling can be likened to trunks of a tree, leading your eyes up towards a stunning geometric forest canopy. Varying religious symbols such as crosses adorn the ceiling and serve as a reminder that this is a place of worship. I was completely blown away by the level of attention to detail!
Gaudi’s architectural style was heavily influenced by the natural world and this is reflected in the basilica’s structure as a way to pay tribute to God. Referring to nature, Gaudi believed that the “best way to honour God is to design buildings based on His work”. Be sure to add La Sagrada Familia to your Barcelona itinerary!
Alyse, The Invisible Tourist
Orta Jame Mosque, Batumi, Georgia
The Republic of Georgia in the Caucasus is a staunchly Orthodox nation. But in the country’s Adjara region, on the Black Sea coast, around 30 percent of the population follow Islam. The Orta Jame Mosque in Adjara’s capital, Batumi, is one of the last places in the country where you can hear the call to prayer ring out.
The mosque’s vividly decorated prayer hall is a complete contrast to its unassuming exterior and white minaret. Doors and walls are adorned with lavish woodcarvings, painted in pastels with bright red, yellow and blue accents. The ceiling is the highlight, with more ornate woodcarvings wrapped around a hand-painted central dome. Unlike any other mosque I’ve seen before, the Orta Jame has a unique style that really speaks to Batumi—a beachside city known for its outlandish, colourful city architecture.
Emily, Wander-Lush
Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, Holy Hill, Olomouc, Czech Republic
When you first enter the Basilica on the Holy Hill, you won’t know where to look first. The intricate Baroque details decorate every millimeter of the interior. You should look up, as that’s where some of the most beautiful details lie. From a dome rising in the middle topped with a lantern in the shape of a dove to frescoes of religious scenes. Most of the interior décor inside the Basilica comes from two time periods: 1675-1679 and 1722-1732.
The Basilica on the Holy Hill can be visited on a trip to Olomouc, Czech Republic.
Veronika, Travel Geekery
Block Arcade, Melbourne, Australia
The opulent Block Arcade in Melbourne is a fine example of 19th century shopping arcades. Built in 1892 during the boom time, this heritage listed, architectural treasure is full of fascinating shops.
Located at the Collins Street entrance in a shop occupied by Evelyn & Crabtree is an original feature ceiling. The magnificent heritage ceiling commissioned in 1907 for the Singer Sewing Machine Company features a beautiful mural. Painted by Phillip Goatcher, the stand out ceiling was designed to attract customers and today is sadly missed by many who are too busy to stop.
Preserving the cultural heritage, the detail in this mural has been lovingly restored by a painting conservator so the ambiance and atmosphere of the era can be savoured for years to come. The shop, now occupied by Evelyn and Crabtree allows people to come in, gaze in awe and photograph the ceiling. Beauty comes from all directions so don’t forget to look up.
Lyn & Steve, A Hole In My Shoe
Selexyz, Maastricht, Netherlands
Selexyz is a beautiful bookstore in Maastricht, the Netherlands. This former Catholic church was built in 1294 and it has absolutely beautiful religious frescos that are in the process of being restored. After Catholicism was outlawed in the Netherlands, many churches became abandoned. As a result, this church became a bookstore after many years sitting as the most beautiful bike parking garage that you may have ever seen. The bookstore is absolutely stunning and I recommend climbing to the second story to admire the ceiling, which will be even more beautiful once they retrace the original designs (which have faded over time).
Karen, WanderlustingK
Grote Kerk, Haarlem, Netherlands
From the outside Grote Kerk in Haarlem looks unassuming, like any other Dutch church in the Netherlands. This is primarily due to the transition from Catholicism to Protestantism where excess decor within churches were stripped and destroyed. This is what makes the ceiling of Grote Kerk particularly amazing; in the Netherlands where many churches look the same, Grote Kerk stands out amongst the sea of churches.
When you enter the church and look up at the ceiling, your mind is blown by the beauty of its interior. The ceiling is, by far, one of my favorite parts of the church. The beautifully crafted wooden paneling alongside the painted floral and leaf motifs are amazing. Some of it is even painted in gold, how luxurious! This unique church is definitely well worth a visit.
Constance, The Adventures Of Panda Bear
The Venetian, Las Vegas Nevada, USA
When considering beautiful ceilings around the world, Las Vegas probably doesn’t come to mind, but one of the most beautiful that I have ever seen is in the Venetian Resort, right on the Vegas Strip. The Grand Gallery connects the reception area to the resort and casino, and it is indeed grand. First time visitors often find themselves in awe, pulled to look up.
The story of the resort is told by gondoliers on the canal rides. The original owner of the Venetian, Sheldon Adelson was vacationing in Italy. His wife fell in love with the sites in Venice. As the couple rode through the canals he promised her that he would build her own version of Venice when they returned to Las Vegas.
True to his word, many of the Venetian features are exact replications of landmarks in Venice. It is quite likely the gilded ceilings, with the simulation of renaissance frescoes, are exact copies. None the less, they are still stunning, and unlike anything else found in the United States.
Roxanna, Gypsy With A Day Job
Royal Palace, Stockholm, Sweden
Very few are those places where you are walking looking up more than you look straight or down. Such is the Royal Palace of Stockholm, Sweden. It takes three days to completely observe and applaud the beauty of the whole palace. The entry tickets are also valid for 72 hours due to that reason. Adorned with gorgeous chandeliers and mesmerizing paintings, the ceilings of this palace are simply awestruck. The paintings are embellished with golden and white marble figurines and designs. Opulence is one word that comes to my mind when I look upon those phenomenal ceilings across the whole Royal Palace.
Once the old castle was destroyed in fire, this palace was completely rebuilt in the 18th century. It has 3 floors and more than 1400 rooms. Every room’s ceiling has a different ornament, either a painting or a chandelier which individually have a unique decoration. Such is the grandeur of this luxurious palace which is a not-to-miss while in Stockholm.
Hiral, Traveller By Birth
Banqueting House, London, England
The ceiling at Banqueting House is one of the most famous works by renowned court painter Peter Paul Rubens and considered the most spectacular ceiling in London. The work was commissioned by King Charles I, and it depicts his father, King James I, surrounded by virtues. For Rubens enthusiasts, this is a must-see while in London, since it’s the only ceiling he painted that is still in its original location. Thus, you can take in the ceiling’s grandeur as it was meant to be seen.
Banqueting House is not high on enough tourists list while in the city, so you’ll find it less crowded than some of the other big attractions. Beyond the artwork, Banqueting House served as the execution site of King Charles I making it one of the most beautiful yet dark places to visit in the country.
Stephanie, History Fan Girl
By The wub [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Schönbrunn P. Ballroom, Vienna, Austria
One of the most intricate designs commissioned in Vienna’s many architectural greats is the ceiling of the ballroom at the Schönbrunn palace. From the mid-eighteenth century and many years after, the Great Gallery as it is known, was used for balls, receptions and as a banqueting hall. Nowadays, it can be used as a venue for concerts and official receptions. The central imagery of the ceiling was done by the Italian artist Gregorio Guglielmi, it shows the progression of the monarchy during the reign of Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria.
The grand ceiling, along with the tall windows, the crystal mirrors, the white-and-gold stucco decoration, the superb lighting installation (flickering candle effects, crystals, chandeliers) in the whole of the gallery is a wonderful work of art that resulted into one of the most glorious Rococo ceremonial halls ever to exist.
Marie, Vienna 101 Facets
Final Thoughts
Do you love beautiful ceilings too? Will you notice them more now?
Pin it for later, or share with another ceiling lover!
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5 responses to “The Most Beautiful Ceilings In The World”
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Thank you for letting us be part of this great collaboration showcasing some truly beautiful ceilings
This looks great! Makes me want to visit every destination. It’s really nice to see different types of architectural inspiration worldwide!
That one in Rotterdam is stunning!! This is definitely my kind of post, cause I LOVE ceilings haha. But you missed the Sistine Chapel 😜
So many incredible ceilings! The idea for the post is really clever, I love looking up at ceilings too.
I’ve only seen a few on this list, wow! Would definitely put them on my bucket list! Beautiful!