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Culture news

Stairway to tension: France and Italy dispute Spanish Step ownership

A row over whether France or Italy owns Rome's iconic Spanish Steps has caused controversy and reopened old wounds between the two countries as G7 Culture Ministers gather in Naples and Pompeii this weekend.

Design

Key work on Barcelona's Sagrada Família to be completed in 2025

Work on Barcelona’s Sagrada Família’s Jesus Christ tower and Chapel of the Assumption aims for completion in 2025.

Art

Take a look at Bulgaria's stunningly preserved Boyana Church frescoes

The magnificent frescoes of Boyana Church in Sofia in Bulgaria are deemed by UNESCO to be one of the most important collections of medieval paintings in the world.

Moments

This hike is a quieter alternative to the Camino de Santiago

2024 is a Jubilee year for Caravaca de la Cruz - which only comes around every seven years - so there are additional events and attractions to boot.

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Lifestyle

School hopes to revive dying art of bell tolling in Spain

A school teaching the art of church bell tolling in Spain has just graduated its first class. Teachers say they hope to prevent the ancient practice from dying out after years of using automated systems.

Australia

Knife attack in Sydney church treated as 'act of terrorism'

Authorities in Sydney have arrested a 16-year-old following a knife attack that injured a bishop and a priest during a church service, declaring the incident an act of terrorism with a suspected religious motive.

World News

Silence: The sole custodian of San Benedetto al Subasio abbey

A sole custodian watches over the remote St Benedict's Abbey in Assisi.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria's Orthodox Christian church leader dies after long illness

The 78-year-old had been hospitalised with lung disease since November last year.

Destinations

Why Italy’s Ravenna should be on your summer bucket list

From historic basilicas to Adriatic beaches, this northern Italian city offers the best of both worlds.

Destinations

5 underrated churches in Europe that deserve a visit this Easter

With enthralling histories and artistic splendours, churches have become temples of culture as well as being sacred sites.

Lifestyle

"Rave in the nave" Canterbury Cathedral hosts silent disco

Party people swapped out the warehouse for their local cathedral in Canterbury for a 90s nostalgia night in the garden of England.

Culture news

John Cage’s 639-year organ performance just changed chords

The piece, called “As Slow As Possible” by the late US composer John Cage, won’t finish until the year 2640. The next chord change is in 2 years.

World News

Two masked assailants attack Roman Catholic church in Istanbul

The pair entered the Santa Maria Church in the Sariyer district while Sunday services were being held.

Earth News

Drought reveals sunken church in Spanish reservoir

'Drought tourists’ are visiting to see the 11th-century church which was submerged 60 years ago.

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Watch: Durham Cathedral lights up for 2023 Lumiere Festival

Hosted in winter time, and free to attend, the festival typically comprises a number of light art installations, as well as illuminating iconic buildings and locations.

Vatican

Pope Francis suggests blessings for gay unions are possible

The Vatican published a letter in response to the cardinals just ahead of a major three-week synod at which the place of LGBTQ+ Catholics in the church will be on the agenda.

Switzerland

Study finds 1,000 cases of sex abuse in Swiss Catholic Church

The Swiss church becomes the latest in Europe to reckon with the abuse scandal as researchers fear findings are merely the 'tip of the iceberg'.

Poland

Polish family beatified for sheltering Jews during World War II

The Ulma family were executed by the Nazis in 1944 for hiding Jews at their home. They were allegedly betrayed.

Art

Greece and North Macedonia agree to save rare 12th century frescoes

The fresco paintings found inside St George's church in North Macedonia are a rare example of Byzantine art in the Balkan region. The governments of North Macedonia and Greece - alongside the European Centre for Byzantine Monuments - have agreed to ensure the preservation of the frescoes.

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Watch: Luz del Mundo followers shed tears for their imprisoned leader

Followers of the La Luz del Mundo (Light of the World) church gather in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, where the Christian group has its international headquarters.

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