This is actually the largest gothic building in Europe and its earliest sections are thought to have been built around the 10th century.

How stunning is this? It's just as incredible on the inside, too. Apparently there's a wood panel here encrusted with 173 diamonds. They offer tours, too, if you're interested.

How stunning is this? It's just as incredible on the inside, too. There's actually a wood panel here encrusted with 173 diamonds. They offer tours, too, if you're interested.

One of the city's best landmarks if you ask me. I even remember coming here when I was a kid to study. Having once been a courthouse it's played a huge part in the city's history. The famous Stanford White/Harry Thaw trial took place here and even Mae West was tried here. When workers at the One of the city's best landmarks if you ask me. I even remember coming here when I was a kid to study. Having once been a courthouse it's played a huge part in the city's history. The famous Stanford White/Harry Thaw trial took place here and even Mae West was tried here. When workers at the infamous Triangle Shirt Company decided to strike, arrested picketers were sent here. Such an interesting history!… see moresee less

It used to be the tallest building in the world and was even dubbed the "Cathedral of Commerce" when it opened because of its Neo Classical look. It was even Goth-ier until a 1980s re-vamp took away a lot of the Gothic details.

This famous pilgrimage site in north-west Spain became a symbol in the Spanish Christians' struggle against Islam. Destroyed by the Muslims at the end of the 10th century, it was completely rebuilt in the following century. With its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings, the Old Town of Santiago This famous pilgrimage site in north-west Spain became a symbol in the Spanish Christians' struggle against Islam. Destroyed by the Muslims at the end of the 10th century, it was completely rebuilt in the following century. With its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings, the Old Town of Santiago is one of the world's most beautiful urban areas. The oldest monuments are grouped around the tomb of St James and the cathedral, which contains the remarkable Pórtico de la Gloria. One of 44 World Heritage Sites in Spain!… see moresee less

Since the pre-Roman period, a fortified settlement has existed on the hill where Carcassonne now stands. In its present form it is an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town, with its massive defences encircling the castle and the surrounding buildings, its streets and its fine Gothic Since the pre-Roman period, a fortified settlement has existed on the hill where Carcassonne now stands. In its present form it is an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town, with its massive defences encircling the castle and the surrounding buildings, its streets and its fine Gothic cathedral. Carcassonne is also of exceptional importance because of the lengthy restoration campaign undertaken by Viollet-le-Duc, one of the founders of the modern science of conservation. One of 37 World Heritage Sites in France!… see moresee less

The development in the 12th century of Mudejar art in Aragon resulted from the particular political, social and cultural conditions that prevailed in Spain after the Reconquista. This art, influenced by Islamic tradition, also reflects various contemporary European styles, particularly the Gothic. The development in the 12th century of Mudejar art in Aragon resulted from the particular political, social and cultural conditions that prevailed in Spain after the Reconquista. This art, influenced by Islamic tradition, also reflects various contemporary European styles, particularly the Gothic. Present until the early 17th century, it is characterized by an extremely refined and inventive use of brick and glazed tiles in architecture, especially in the belfries. One of 44 World Heritage Sites in Spain!… see moresee less

Built by the Moors in a defensive position at the heart of the Caliphate of Cordoba, Cuenca is an unusually well-preserved medieval fortified city. Conquered by the Castilians in the 12th century, it became a royal town and bishopric endowed with important buildings, such as Spain's first Gothic Built by the Moors in a defensive position at the heart of the Caliphate of Cordoba, Cuenca is an unusually well-preserved medieval fortified city. Conquered by the Castilians in the 12th century, it became a royal town and bishopric endowed with important buildings, such as Spain's first Gothic cathedral, and the famous casas colgadas (hanging houses), suspended from sheer cliffs overlooking the Huécar river. Taking full advantage of its location, the city towers above the magnificent countryside. One of 44 World Heritage Sites in Spain!… see moresee less

Our Lady of Burgos was begun in the 13th century at the same time as the great cathedrals of the Ile-de-France and was completed in the 15th and 16th centuries. The entire history of Gothic art is summed up in its superb architecture and its unique collection of works of art, including paintings, Our Lady of Burgos was begun in the 13th century at the same time as the great cathedrals of the Ile-de-France and was completed in the 15th and 16th centuries. The entire history of Gothic art is summed up in its superb architecture and its unique collection of works of art, including paintings, choir stalls, reredos, tombs and stained-glass windows. One of 44 World Heritage Sites in Spain!… see moresee less

Durham Cathedral was built in the late 11th and early 12th centuries to house the relics of St Cuthbert (evangelizer of Northumbria) and the Venerable Bede. It attests to the importance of the early Benedictine monastic community and is the largest and finest example of Norman architecture in Durham Cathedral was built in the late 11th and early 12th centuries to house the relics of St Cuthbert (evangelizer of Northumbria) and the Venerable Bede. It attests to the importance of the early Benedictine monastic community and is the largest and finest example of Norman architecture in England. The innovative audacity of its vaulting foreshadowed Gothic architecture. Behind the cathedral stands the castle, an ancient Norman fortress which was the residence of the prince-bishops of Durham. One of 28 World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom!… see moresee less

Partly built starting in 1145, Chartres Cathedral marks the high point of French Gothic art. The sculptures from the middle of the 12th century, and the magnificent 12th- and 13th-century stained-glass windows combine to make it a masterpiece. One of 37 World Heritage Sites in France!

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus Station, in Mumbai, is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture. One of 28 World Heritage Sites in India!

journey starts here

In the 14th century, this city in the South of France was the seat of the papacy. The Palais des Papes, an austere-looking fortress lavishly decorated by Simone Martini and Matteo Giovanetti, dominates the city, the surrounding ramparts and the remains of a 12th-century bridge over the Rhone. In the 14th century, this city in the South of France was the seat of the papacy. The Palais des Papes, an austere-looking fortress lavishly decorated by Simone Martini and Matteo Giovanetti, dominates the city, the surrounding ramparts and the remains of a 12th-century bridge over the Rhone. Beneath this outstanding example of Gothic architecture, the Petit Palais and the Romanesque Cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Doms complete an exceptional group of monuments that testify to the leading role played by Avignon in 14th-century Christian Europe. One of 37 World Heritage Sites in France!… see moresee less

The real name of this is the Franklin Avenue bridge but locals call it the Shakespeare Bridge. I used to live in the area and used to love seeing it. When it was seriously damaged in the '94 quake the neighborhood got together and raised funds to restore it to health. So glad they did!

I know it seems weird to put a hospital on a travel list, but how amazing is this?

Does this not look just like something out of Harry Potter? This was built in 1881 and the front is just as impressive.

Built in the 1920s, this was one of the few buildings to survive the 1933 earthquake. Amazingly, during a recent renovation, safes were found containing newspapers from 1929, and, not surprisingly, alcohol!

There's been some controversy about whether or not the buildings here are authentically Gothic, but I still love it anyway!

Talk about a legendary building--if you'll recall Sid and Nancy met their last here and it's been the home to just about every nutty artist on the planet including Rufus Wainright, Bob Dylan, and Iggy Pop. Before it shut down as a hotel there was a crazy art gallery in the lobby. Don't know if Talk about a legendary building--if you'll recall Sid and Nancy met their last here and it's been the home to just about every nutty artist on the planet including Rufus Wainright, Bob Dylan, and Iggy Pop. Before it shut down as a hotel there was a crazy art gallery in the lobby. Don't know if they're planning on keeping it.… see moresee less