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Quickly becoming an important center of Christianity and medieval culture in Eastern Europe, the monks of Pannonhalma Abbey successfully converted the unruly Hungarians to Christianity. The monks also founded Hungary's first school and produced the first document in the Hungarian language in 1055.

Monks of Pannonhalma Abbey converted ancient Hungarians to Christianity

By • Catholic Online • 2/29/2012

Pannonhalma Archabbey is an active Benedictine monastery and World Heritage Site in Hungary. Founded in 996 on a sacred mountain dedicated to St. Martin, the site today welcomes visitors to explore its densely green grounds and buildings. The structures include a 13th-century Gothic church with ...

The lake has an area of 1850 kilometers and borders between Chile and Argentina, dividing it roughly in half. Marble Cave is located approximately in the middle of the lake, on the Chilean side.

Marble Cathedral: World's most beautiful cave network?

By • Catholic Online • 1/29/2012

Chile's Marble Cathedral is an intricate system of water-filled caverns in the General Carrera Lake in Patagonia, which is the second largest freshwater lake in South America. Located in the far southern tip of the country, visitors must fly from Santiago, 800 miles to the next nearest ...

The cross near the entrance to the site is Muirdach's Cross, dating from 900-923 AD. Standing 16 feet tall, it is named for an abbot mentioned in the inscription on the base: 'A prayer for Muirdach for whom the cross was made.'

Monasterboice in Ireland features many splendid high crosses

By • Catholic Online • 1/19/2012

Monasterboice, or Mainistir Bhuithe is a fascinating monastic site near Drogheda in County Louth. Including a large cemetery, two churches, one of the tallest round towers in Ireland and two of the tallest and best high crosses, Monasterboice is reputed to have been founded by Saint Buithe, ...

At its height, the settlement included not only churches and monastic cells but also workshops, guesthouses, an infirmary, farm buildings and houses. Most of the buildings that survive today date from the 10th through 12th centuries.

Glendalough is 'truly one of the most beautiful places in Ireland'

By • Catholic Online • 12/24/2011

Glendalough, or Gleann D� Loch, the "Valley of the Two Lakes" has been declared as "truly one of the most beautiful places in Ireland and a highlight of any trip to the island," according to Lonely Planet Ireland. The monastic settlement is just an hour south of Dublin. The area offers many ...

The most beautiful structure at Mellifont is the lavabo, an octagonal washing house. Built in the early 13th century, it used lead pipes to bring water from the river.

Ruins of Mellifont Abbey features beautiful lavabo

By • Catholic Online • 12/14/2011

At one time, Mellifont Abbey was a great hub for the Catholic faith in Ireland. At the top of its reign, Mellifont was the mother house of 21 monasteries and as many as 400 monks made the abbey their home. Only ruins remain there now, but there are many beautiful examples of Cistercian ...

Madrigal's Saint James is one of the oldest churches in the valley. It resides eighteen miles west of Chivay, on a dirt road lined with stone walls, cactuses and lupines.

Peru's Colca Valley holds magnificent churches

By • Catholic Online • 12/6/2011

Peru's Colca Valley is rich in natural beauty and history. After the Spanish conquered the area in the 16th century, and herded residents into 24 towns, 17 of which survive today, the outside world left it alone for 400 years. The region only gained international attention due to an expedition by ...

Preserved in the museum and replaced with a replica in its original position is the South Cross, standing about 12 feet high. It is thought to date from the early 9th century and its style is related to the Ahenny group of crosses.

Clonmacnoise, overlooking the River Shannon, houses holy relics

By • Catholic Online • 11/30/2011

Clonmacnoise, which in Gaelic translates to Cluain Mhic Nois, "meadow of the sons of Nos" is a monastic site that overlooks the River Shannon in County Offaly. The ruins, located on sprawling grounds include a cathedral, castle, round tower, numerous churches, two important high crosses, ...

St. Cecilia's monastery and church in Rome

By • Catholic Online • 11/18/2011

Visitors to St. Cecilia in Trastevere, a Benedictine monastery in Rome, Italy will have the opportunity to see some of the most ornate mosaics and beautiful polished marble in the region as well as tour the crypts where early Christians were buried. ROME, ITALY (Catholic Online) - The monastery and ...

The chapel of relics has numerous relics, the most notable of which are a set of chains said to be the prison chains of St Paul, used in the last days before his execution. They are exposed in the church on his feast days.

The Basilica of Saint Paul restored to splendor after great fire

By • Catholic Online • 11/8/2011

One of the five major basilicas of Rome, The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls or Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura was originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century. The Basilica di San Paolo is the burial place of Saint Paul the Apostle. The site features a ...

There are also some charming modern bronze statues of St. Francis and his followers. Francis lies on the ground, his hands behind his head and his sandals off, gazing at the sky, as two friars look hard at the constellations and record them on the ground.

Carceri Hermitage retains tranquil, contemplative air loved by St. Francis

By • Catholic Online • 11/4/2011

Eremo delle Carceri, or the Carceri Hermitage is located in along slope of Monte Subasio outside the walls of Assisi. The hermitage is best known as where St. Francis and his followers established their first home. The saint often returned here from his travels in order to pray and ...