Top 5: Most Beautiful Churches of South America

South America has some of the most beautiful religious architecture in the world. Here are five of our favorite churches.

Catedral de Se de São Paulo, Brazil © Filipe Frazao | Dreamstime

Catedral de Se de São Paulo, Brazil

Eight hundred tons of marble were used to complete this neo-Gothic cathedral, housing one of the largest church organs in the world, with five keyboards and 12,000 pipes with hand-engraved reliefs.

Basílica del Voto Nacional, Quito, Ecuador © Noamfein | Dreamstime

Basílica del Voto Nacional, Quito, Ecuador

Located in the historic center of Quito, the Basilica of the National Vow is the largest neo-Gothic church in the world. It is also said to be technically unfinished, as legend has it that when it is completed, the world will end.

Cathedral of Lima, Peru © Afagundes | Dreamstime

Cathedral of Lima, Peru

This enormous cathedral is situated in downtown Lima, where it has undergone many transformations through the centuries, though retaining its original colonial architecture. Today it houses the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conquistador.

Catedral de Salta, Argentina © Conejota | Dreamstime

Catedral de Salta, Argentina

This pink and yellow cathedral was completely destroyed in the 17^th century and finally reconstructed a century later in 1882. Dedicated to Jesus and the Virgin Mary, the church is also the resting place of Martin Miguel de Guemes, the general who defeated the invading Spanish army.

Las Lajas, Narino, Colombia © Rafał Cichawa | Dreamstime

Las Lajas, Narino, Colombia

The mesmerizing architecture of Las Lajas is nestled in a canyon above the Guaitara River, built using only the donations of the local religious community.