Communism set out to eradicate religion in emerging Europe. It failed, to such an extent in fact that the faith of tens of millions of people was not weakened, but considerably strengthened. The six churches and monasteries we list here are among the many hundreds which galvanised faith in the region, often becoming symbols of defiance. They are all – for different reasons – worthy of a visit, and of endless photos, and are representative of what happens when great architecture meets the indefatigable spirit of Catholicism and Orthodoxy.
Emerging Europe: Six of the best Instagram-worthy churches
A view of the the Eastern Orthodox monastery Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv.
