Stained Glass Windows: The World’s 25 Most Breathtaking

Stained glass windows have enhanced buildings since the Middle Ages and continue to captivate architects and design lovers today. Used traditionally—and even sometimes as ceilings—the works are constructed of colored glass pieces connected and outlined by strips of lead. It’s common to see this stunning details in religious buildings, such as cathedrals and mosques, although they also became popular for secular spaces beginning in the 19th century and now adorn private homes, hotels, cultural buildings, and department stores. From a Gothic chapel in Paris to a hotel in Mexico City, take a look at some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in the world and see how architects such as Philip Johnson, Oscar Niemeyer, and Antoni Gaudí have used the art form in some of their most iconic designs.