cathedrals

Cathedrals are churches that contain the cathedra, the bishop's chair, and serve as the central church of a diocese or archdiocese in Christian denominations with an episcopal hierarchy. The term comes from Latin cathedra, and a building becomes a cathedral when a bishop's seat is established there; otherwise, a large or historically significant church may be known as a church or minster.

In architecture, cathedrals are often distinguished by monumental scale and the presence of a ceremonial choir and a nave that leads to the apse; many exhibit flying buttresses, ribbed vaults, and extensive stained glass, reflecting Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, or Baroque styles.

Historically, cathedrals emerged in late antiquity and medieval Europe as administrative and spiritual centers of dioceses. They often served as pilgrimage destinations, housed relics and tombs, and were centers of learning and music. In some regions, dioceses were created by the church, and a church site was upgraded to a cathedral.

Notable examples include Chartres Cathedral in France, Canterbury Cathedral in England, and St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, among others across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. Today, cathedrals continue to function as places of worship, symbols of heritage, and tourist attractions, while many also host concerts, exhibitions, and community activities.