8 Must-See Stained-Glass Windows Around the World

Often called the Pink Mosque, Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque is a 19th-century mosque in Shiraz, Iran, featuring vibrant stained-glass windows made of a mix of wood and colorful glass to create geometric designs of red, blue, yellow and green. It’s a perfect example of stained-glass windows outside of its typical setting in a church. © Benjawan Sittidech | Dreamstime.com

The Brasilia Cathedral in Brazil is not only an architectural feat in itself because of its hyperboloid structure, but it also wows visitors and attendees thanks to its 22,000-square-foot stained-glass work. Created in 1990 by Marianne Peretti, this piece uses shades of blue, green, white and brown. © Diego Grandi | Dreamstime.com

A classic example of Catalan modernista style, Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, Spain, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This building utilizes both mosaics and stained glass to create a feeling of openness. In the concert hall, you’ll find two walls made primarily of stained-glass panes set in grand arches, as well as a massive skylight of stained glass, making this concert hall the only auditorium in Europe illuminated in the day entirely by natural light. © Alfredo Garcia Saz | Dreamstime.com

At Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, expect one of the most extensive 13th-century stained-glass collections anywhere in the world. Over the years, extensive efforts have been made to protect and preserve these delicate pieces. Many panels depict scenes from the Bible, and clever design work makes the entire chapel seem as if it’s made entirely of these colorful windows. © Felipe Rodrðguez | Dreamstime.com

Gaze up at the nearly 84-foot-tall windows within Aachen Cathedral in Germany. Located within one of the oldest cathedral buildings in Europe, the windows here lie within the dome. The church itself was consecrated back in 805 A.D. Elsewhere in the church, you’ll come across the Barbossa chandelier, a 14-foot-wide, 12th-century chandelier suspended over the Octagon dome. © Marco Leeggangers | Dreamstime.com

Within Thanks-Giving Square in Dallas, Texas, looms Glory Window, one of the largest horizontally mounted stained-glass pieces in the world. It features 73 panels of faceted glass, serving as the chapel ceiling within Chapel of Thanksgiving. Before leaving, be sure to write a personal statement of gratitude. © Wirestock | Dreamstime.com

The Chicago Cultural Center boasts two stained-glass domes, one of which is a Tiffany-designed glass dome. According to the center, this is the largest Tiffany dome in the world, spanning more than 1,000 square feet and measuring about 38 feet wide. The dome is made of Tiffany Favrile glass and cut in the shape of fish scales, using about 30,000 glass pieces. © Tang Man | Dreamstime.com

The Notre-Dame de Paris has not one but three rose windows, all dating back to the 13th century. These windows have survived many centuries, including the recent 2019 fire. These windows are among the most famous in the cathedral. The South Rose window alone has 94 medallions arranged in four circles. © Parys | Dreamstime.com