Europe Castles & palaces, Central, Peaceful + Religious pictures

• World

This serene mountain town has rustic charm and natural beauty and is the site of one of Europe’s most famous divine encounters.

With an opulence worthy of the former monarchs buried inside, this 15th-century chapel is the go-to spot for royal ceremonies and weddings.

Maze-like hedges, marble sculptures and colorful flower beds adorn this historic royal garden, where the palace’s stables and carriages once lay.

Be spellbound by the scale and splendor of the Spanish Royal Family’s former official residence.

This serene mountain town has rustic charm and natural beauty and is the site of one of Europe’s most famous divine encounters.

Be spellbound by the scale and splendor of the Spanish Royal Family’s former official residence.

One of the most eye-catching monuments in Lourdes is the basilica that sits above the grotto, part of a wider sanctuary of impressive churches.

Find out why literary masters, such as Goethe and Victor Hugo, heaped praise on this remarkable, pink-hued cathedral.

Scotland’s capital is filled with attractive landmarks, parks and gardens, and hosts cultural festivals that draw millions of visitors each year.

An arresting façade, richly decorated chapels and the tomb of a former king make this centuries-old church one of Pamplona’s most symbolic landmarks. 

Explore a charming Italian town with an impressive Romanesque Gothic cathedral, elegant palaces, underground Roman pools and delicious local food.

Enjoy the spicy Spanish influence on the cuisine, visit a pilgrimage site and ski in the snowy Pyrénées mountains.

Make your way along elegant promenades to find medieval churches, thermal spas and stunning gardens in the shadow of the Italian Alps. 

Make your way along elegant promenades to find medieval churches, thermal spas and stunning gardens in the shadow of the Italian Alps. 

Although it’s not the Auvergne region’s highest summit, this dormant lava dome is its most iconic. Join the thousands of hikers who visit every year.

Containing parts of Limousin history from Roman times to the present, this magnificent Gothic house of worship is an important part of the skyline of Limoges.