Dreaming Upwards: The World's 25 Most Spectacular Ceilings

 Throughout history, ceilings in architecture have carried rich aesthetic meanings. A piece of stained glass or a detailed fresco reflects the designer's taste and craftsmanship. Ceilings also have a vast capacity to bear witness to history and stories through the ages. Here, we explore 25 of the world's most beautiful ceilings and immerse ourselves in the art above.

 1.Florence, Italy - Florence Cathedral

The Florence Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is one of the five largest churches in the world. Its elegant and magnificent dome, designed by early Renaissance pioneer Filippo Brunelleschi, astonishes visitors with its span and lateral forces, all executed without preliminary drawings. The dome's interior features Giorgio Vasari’s fresco "The Last Judgment," vibrant and meticulously layered, exuding a sacred and mysterious aura.

Image source：Ins@wagner_archela

 2.Las Vegas, USA - Bellagio Hotel

The Bellagio Hotel, opened in 1998, boasts a dazzling ceiling in its lobby made of over 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers by artist Dale Chihuly. This colorful display resembles a magical kaleidoscope and is inspired by Italian spring meadows, merging glass and floral motifs into a vibrant spectacle.

Image source：Ins@adventures.by.hannah

 3.Vatican City - Vatican Museums Gallery of Maps

The Vatican Museums, though the smallest national museum, house an array of ancient Greek and Roman relics and Renaissance art. The 120-meter-long Gallery of Maps features detailed 16th-century maps of Italy, with its vaulted ceiling adorned with 17 stunning paintings depicting historical and mythological scenes.

Image source：Ins@zoesintowine

 4.Ottawa, Canada - Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilic

Ottawa's Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica combines Gothic and classical styles, presenting a stunning interior filled with golden and blue accents. The pointed, star-studded ceiling mimics a vast, serene night sky, illuminated to resemble golden stars, invoking a sense of awe and reverence.

Image source：Ins@intvergalactic

 5.Budapest, Hungary - St. Stephen's Basilica

St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, built to honor Hungary's first king, features a luminous dome adorned with small windows that let natural light flood the frescoes. The richly gilded interior creates a magnificent, opulent atmosphere, highlighted by the vibrant dome.

Image source：Ins@tamasmezoffy

6.Stockholm, Sweden - Stadshagen Metro Station

Stockholm's metro system is known as the world's longest art gallery, with over 90% of its stations decorated with paintings, mosaics, and sculptures by 150 artists. Stadshagen Station's blue cave-like walls are painted with a vivid rainbow, creating a striking visual effect and a serene ambiance.

Image source：Ins@twainona

 7.Rotterdam, Netherlands - Markthal

The Markthal in Rotterdam features the "Horn of Plenty," a massive digital mural by Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam. The market's ceiling is lined with screens displaying hyper-realistic images of fresh produce and flowers, offering a sensory feast that merges technology with daily life.

Image source：Ins@cmac6248

8. Bucharest, Romania - Romanian Athenaeum

The Romanian Athenaeum, built in 1888 in Bucharest, is an exquisite example of neoclassical architecture. Its grand concert hall is adorned with a red and gold ceiling, featuring murals depicting Romanian history, adding elegance and grandeur to the music hall.

Image source：Ins@madamefocsani

 9.New York, USA - Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal, opened in 1913, is not only the world's largest train station but also a public art gallery. Its central hall features a magnificent celestial ceiling painted with the zodiac constellations, evoking a sense of cosmic wonder.

Image source：Ins@billylacken

10. Vienna, Austria - Austrian National Library

The Austrian National Library in Vienna, Europe’s largest Baroque library, boasts a stunning dome painted by court artist Daniel Gran. The library's vast collection is enhanced by the grandeur of its Baroque ceiling, creating a cultural sanctuary.

Image source：Ins@meagsmeanderings

 11.London, UK - British Museum

The British Museum, established in 1753, features the Great Court, Europe's largest covered square. The court’s lattice glass ceiling, composed of 3,312 unique triangles, provides a mesmerizing pattern of elegant curves, showcasing a blend of beauty and simplicity.

Image source：Ins@park_international_hotel

12. Prague, Czech Republic - National Museum

Prague's National Museum, a neo-Renaissance building designed by Josef Schulz, features intricate ceiling murals in its entrance hall. The majestic central dome and elaborate stone carvings reflect the deep cultural heritage of Prague.

Image source：Ins@paradowskapamela

13. Isfahan, Iran - Forty Columns Palace

Chehel Sotoun in Isfahan, built in the 16th-17th centuries, is a palace adorned with Persian and Islamic art. Its ceilings are embellished with mirrors, gold, stained glass, and large murals, narrating the epic tales of the Safavid dynasty.

Image source：Ins@islamic.art..gallery

14.Valletta, Malta - St. John’s Co-Cathedral

St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, a Baroque masterpiece built in the 16th century, contrasts its humble exterior with a lavishly decorated interior. The gilded ceilings and frescoes, along with Caravaggio’s artwork, make it one of Europe's most beautiful churches.

Image source：Ins@siqueiraek

15.Paris, France - Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles

The Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, completed in 1684, features grand mirrors and a gilded ceiling with dark-toned murals. The opulent crystal chandeliers and historical frescoes illustrate France's grandeur and the palace's splendor.

Image source：Ins@natasha_jayne

16.Beijing, China - Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven, built in 1420, is a symbol of ancient Chinese culture. Its circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests boasts a meticulously symmetrical and colorful dome, showcasing ancient craftsmanship and cosmological symbolism.

Image source：Ins@laru_apunadisima

17.Barcelona, Spain - Sagrada Família

Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, an ongoing masterpiece, features towering stone columns that resemble trees. The ceiling, adorned with star-like lights, creates a sacred and enchanting atmosphere, blending nature with divine light.

Image source：Ins@evitablu

18.York, UK - York Minster

York Minster, Northern Europe's largest Gothic cathedral, features a wooden ceiling mimicking stone vaults. Its medieval stained glass windows and the octagonal Chapter House with its intricate patterns and vibrant colors, offer a unique architectural charm.

Image source：Ins@york_minster_official

19. Istanbul, Turkey - Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque, built in the 17th century, is named for its blue İznik tiles. The vast central dome, supported by marble columns and adorned with vibrant stained glass, creates a warm and majestic space illuminated by natural light.

Image source：Ins@farahsubri

20.Melbourne, Australia - 333 Collins Street

Hidden in Melbourne's modern office building at 333 Collins Street is a semi-dome bank hall from the 19th century. Its granite columns and intricate octagonal dome reflect a bygone era's grandeur.

Image source：Ins@digitalmanoz

21. Los Angeles, USA - El Capitan Theatre

Built in 1926, the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood features a gold-leaf ceiling in the East Indian Hall. The central wave-shaped design gives the illusion of a magical box waiting to be opened.

Image source：Ins@I.a.afoot

22.San Diego, USA - San Diego International Airport

San Diego International Airport features "Journey," a 213-meter-long LED light installation by Jim Campbell. Suspended from the ceiling, this dynamic "ribbon" transforms the terminal into a mesmerizing lightscape.

 Image source: San Diego International Airport official website

23.Paris, France - Galeries Lafayette

The Galeries Lafayette in Paris, founded in 1893, is renowned for its Art Nouveau glass dome. The Byzantine-inspired dome, adorned with gold and stained glass, creates a dazzling medieval ambiance in this iconic department store.

Image source：Ins@meejmuse

24.Rome, Italy - Pantheon

The Pantheon, originally a temple for Roman gods, features a dome with a diameter equal to its height, creating a harmonious space. The central oculus symbolizes a connection to the divine, bathing the interior in sacred light.

Image source：Ins@citywonderstours

25.Chicago, USA - Chicago Cultural Center

The Chicago Cultural Center, opened in 1897, houses the world's largest Tiffany glass dome. The 11.5-meter diameter dome, composed of 30,000 colored glass pieces, transitions in color and is topped with a vintage chandelier, adding to its splendor.

Image source：Ins@revbethweddings