Editing Cathedral (section)

==Buildings==
{{Main|Architecture of cathedrals and great churches|List of regional characteristics of European cathedral architecture}}
[[File:Pise Duomo.jpg|thumb|Some cathedrals are major tourist destinations and [[World Heritage Site]]s. [[Pisa Cathedral|Pisa]] is one of the best known.]]
Cathedral buildings, especially those dating from the Medieval period, are frequently the grandest of churches in the diocese (and country). The ancient cathedrals of England, of Northern France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Sicily, the Baroque cathedrals of South America, and many individual cathedrals from Italy and other parts of Europe, are among the largest and finest religious buildings. Many are renowned for their architecture or their decorative features such as [[sculpture]], [[stained glass]] and [[fresco]]s.

While cathedral buildings, in general, tend to be large, size and grandeur have rarely been essential requirements. Early [[Celt]]ic and [[Saxon people|Saxon]] cathedrals tended to be of diminutive size, as is the Byzantine so-called ''Little Metropole Cathedral'' of [[Athens]]. In Italy, with a few notable exceptions such as [[Florence Cathedral]] and [[Milan Cathedral]], cathedrals are numerous and are often similar in form and size to monastic or large parish churches. In modern times, where functionality is the foremost consideration and where church attendance is low in many countries, a cathedral church may be a modest structure.

Cathedrals of monastic foundation, and some of secular clergy, have [[cloister]]s, which traditionally provided an open area where secular activities took place protected from wind and rain. Some cathedrals also have a [[chapter house]] where the chapter could meet. In England, where these buildings have survived, they are often octagonal. A cathedral may front onto the main square of a town, as in [[Florence Cathedral|Florence]], or it may be set in a walled ''close'' as at [[Canterbury Cathedral|Canterbury]]. There may be a number of associated monastic or clergy buildings, a bishop's palace and often a school to educate the choristers.
[[File:Stephansdom Wien 1.jpg|thumb|left|Cathedrals often contain a wealth of artworks. Tourists visiting the interior of [[St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna|St. Stephen's Cathedral]], [[Vienna]].]]

===Artworks, treasures and tourism===
Many cathedral buildings are very famous for their architecture and have local and national significance, both artistically and historically. Many are listed among the [[UNESCO World Heritage Sites]].

Many cathedrals, because of their large size and the fact that they often have towers, spires or domes, have until the 20th century, been the major landmarks in cities or in views across the countryside. With highrise building, civil action has been taken in some cases, such as [[Cologne Cathedral]] to prevent the vista of the cathedral from being spoiled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stlouiscathedral.org/our-history |title=Our History |publisher=St Louis Cathedral |access-date=2018-09-19}}</ref>

Because many cathedrals took centuries to build and decorate, they constitute a major artistic investment for the city in which they stand. Not only may the building itself be architecturally significant, but the church often houses treasures such as stained glass, stone and wood statues, historic tombs, richly carved furniture and objects of both artistic and religious significance such as reliquaries. Moreover, the cathedral often plays a major role in telling the story of the town, through its plaques, inscriptions, tombs, stained glass and paintings.

For these reasons, tourists have travelled to cathedrals for hundreds of years. Many cathedrals cater for tourists by charging a fee to any visitors outside service times or requesting a donation or making a charge to take photos. Cathedrals that are particularly popular tourist venues sometimes provide guides, leaflets, souvenirs and cafes.