Twelve most extraordinary stained glass
Stained glass windows have graced buildings since the 10th century and continue to captivate design lovers today.
Crafted from vibrant pieces of colored glass, each is connected and framed by lead bands, creating stunning, intricate designs. Traditionally found in religious structures like cathedrals, these breathtaking details have become cultural and historical landmarks in shops and grand homes.
Explore some of the world’s most exquisite stained glass, from the Galeries Lafayette in Paris to the York Minster Chapter House in England and the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona. See how visionary architects like Antoni Gaudí and Oscar Niemeyer have infused this art form into their most iconic masterpieces.
1. Palau de la Música Catalana (Barcelona, Spain)
The concert hall, completed in 1908 by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, features a steel structure and a stunning stained glass skylight adorned with a three-dimensional depiction of the sun. In 1997, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One can find countless other works of art, inside the music hall, with busts of Anselm Clavé and Beethoven flanking either side of the stage.
2. La Sagrada Familia (Barcelona, Spain)
The masterpiece of architect Antoni Gaudí, this Catalan Modernisme cathedral stands proudly at the heart of the Barcelona skyline, featuring a breathtaking array of abstract stained glass windows. While construction began in 1882, Gaudí never lived to see the windows installed, but he left detailed instructions for their design.
Joan Vila-Grau honors Gaudí’s vision by bringing his guidelines into the 21st century with a contemporary touch. He embraces the leaded glass technique favored by the master and elevates it with a refined selection of colors and glass textures. The “transparent” upper levels are a prime example, where he chose 16 different types of white, transparent, translucent, gray, and yellow glass. For the lower levels, where high color contrast is key, Vila-Grau meticulously studies each window’s orientation, the angle and intensity of the light it captures, and the surrounding environment, ensuring that nothing compromises the final effect.
Entering the Sagrada Familia church for the first time is an experience that one never forgets!
3. Galeries Lafayette (Paris, France)
The dome’s intricate stained glass design, vibrant colors and stunning craftsmanship serve as a breathtaking centerpiece, drawing visitors from around the world to experience the grandeur of one of Paris's most famous shopping destinations.
Perhaps its most iconic feature is the 141-foot-tall neo-Byzantine dome, which French glassmaker Jacques Gruber designed to channel golden light onto the shoppers below.
The stained glass, designed in the "Art Nouveau" or "Art Deco" style, forms a massive flower of 10 radiant sections, covering a total area of 1,000m².
4. Thanks-Giving Square (Dallas, Texas)
In 1977, Philip Johnson designed a delicately spiraling white chapel to anchor a tranquil three-acre oasis in the heart of downtown Dallas. This serene space, called Thanks-Giving Square, serves as a peaceful retreat amidst the bustling city.
The ornate structure is crowned by the Glory Window, which features 73 stunning stained glass panels crafted by renowned French artist Gabriel Loire.
The intricate design of the window symbolizes themes of gratitude and hope, beautifully complementing the chapel’s reflective atmosphere. Thanks-Giving Square has become a symbol of unity and peace, offering visitors a moment of calm and reflection in urban life.
5. Gran Hotel Ciudad de México (Mexico City, Mexico)
The stunning ceiling, a masterpiece by French artisan Jacques Gruber, draws inspiration from Mexico's rich Mesoamerican heritage, featuring a vibrant palette of turquoise and gold that creates a striking contrast against the elegant surroundings.
Originally an exclusive department store, designed with a soaring Tiffany stained glass ceiling in the lobby, it was later transformed into a luxury hotel anticipating the 1968 Olympic Games. The design also incorporates a Louis XV–style chandelier, adding to the grandeur of the space.
Today, the Gran Hotel continues to impress visitors with its exquisite blend of history, art, and luxury, and the colored glass ceiling remains a standout feature, casting colorful light into the hotel's atrium and creating a captivating focal point that links the past with the present.
7. Chicago Cultural Center (Chicago, Illinois)
The Louis Comfort Tiffany dome at the Chicago Cultural Center, measuring an impressive 38 feet in diameter, ranks as one of the largest stained glass domes in the world. An intricate cast-iron frame supports the dome and contains around 30,000 pieces of glass shaped like fish scales, creating a stunning display of color and light.
Completed in 1897, the same year the building was opened as the city’s first public library, the dome has since become a cherished architectural treasure. In 2008, it underwent a meticulous restoration to preserve its beauty, and today, it is illuminated by electric lighting, showcasing the magnificence of Tiffany's design.
The dome, a testament to craftsmanship and artistry, continues to captivate visitors, symbolizing the cultural heritage of Chicago and its commitment to preserving its historical landmarks.
8. Notre-Dame (Paris, France)
Beyond its renowned French Gothic architecture, Notre-Dame Cathedral houses some of the world's most iconic stained glass windows. The South Rose Window, a gift from King Louis IX of France, was designed by Jean de Chelles and Pierre de Montreuil. Installed in 1260, it measures 12.9 meters in diameter and is composed of 94 medallions arranged in four circles, depicting scenes from the life of Christ and figures from Christian tradition.
Despite the devastating 2019 fire, which caused significant damage to the cathedral, the three great medieval rose windows, including the South Rose, largely survived, though some panels were damaged. Restoration experts meticulously repaired these stained glass windows, uncovering hidden aspects of their history and ensuring their preservation for future generations.
The cathedral reopened in December 2024, five years after the fire, with its interior and stained glass windows restored to their former splendor.
9. Nautilus House (Naucalpan, Mexico)
Nautilus House in Naucalpan, Mexico, designed by Javier Senosian, is an extraordinary example of organic architecture.
The house takes its name from the nautilus, a sea mollusk, with its exterior designed to resemble the spiraling shape of the animal’s shell. The home is filled with whimsical touches, including a flower-shaped conversation pit and interior landscaping that seamlessly blends with the natural environment.
One of the most stunning features is the wall of rainbow-stained glass windows, which adds a vibrant, colorful glow to the interior, reflecting the house’s unique harmony with nature and its fantastical, organic design.
10. Library "Antim Ivireanul" (Valcea, Romania)
The stained glass dome of the Râmnicu-Vâlcea County Library, designed by Romanian artist Gheorghe Dican, holds the title of the largest stained glass dome in the world. This record, titled "Largest Stained Glass Dome: The Râmnicu-Vâlcea County Library," was officially recognized and published by the World Record Academy.
The artwork comprises 168 hand-crafted colored glass modules created in 2005 using the traditional stained glass technique with a lead frame.
Spanning an area of approximately 150 square meters, the dome depicts the "Creation of the World" and is positioned nearly 30 meters above the building’s floor. The dome covers 142 square meters and is made up of 12 ovals, each containing 12 scenes that illustrate some of the world's most significant writing systems, including Tărtăria, Cuneiform, Phoenician, Hieroglyphic, Persian, Cyrillic, Demotic, and others.
11. Cosmovitral Jardín Botánico ( Toluca, Mexico)
Leopoldo Flores' concept was groundbreaking – a stained glass mural designed to encircle the building’s windows and stretch across its ceiling. Before bringing this vision to life, the artist dedicated a year to researching, developing the concept, and resolving the engineering challenges. The mural, named Cosmovitral—a fusion of the words "cosmos" and "vitral" (Glass)—has come to represent both the artwork and the building itself. Its central theme explores “Man and his relationship with the universe.”
The mural consists of 71 modules, covering approximately 3,200 square meters. It incorporates around 75 tons of metal supports, 45 tons of blown glass, and 25 tons of lead to join nearly 500,000 individual glass pieces, ranging from 15 to 45 cm in size. The work features 28 distinct glass colors, sourced from Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Japan, Canada, and the United States, contributing to its vibrant and intricate design.
Cosmovitral hosts numerous temporary art exhibitions and is like a center for the beauty of nature and man's creations.
12. Otaru Art Base (Hokkaido, Japan)
Otaru Art Base, home to the Stained Glass Museum, showcases an innovative fusion of art and architecture. This unique museum is dedicated to preserving and displaying the intricate beauty of stained glass, with a focus on both traditional and contemporary works. The museum's design itself reflects an artistic vision, incorporating stained glass windows that illuminate the space with vibrant colors, creating a stunning visual experience for visitors.
In recent years, many churches have been demolished for various reasons, yet these exquisite stained glass pieces were fortunate enough to be preserved. Through a remarkable twist of fate, they found their way to Japan. Some of the glass panels are adorned with inscriptions and images that vividly recount the era’s history, from the prosperous reign of Queen Victoria through the Edwardian period and into the post-World War I years.
The collection features an array of stained glass pieces, including historic works and modern interpretations, with over 1,000 individual panels from around the world. The museum's exhibits explore the evolution of stained glass art, from its origins in Europe to its modern-day interpretations in various cultures.
The museum also houses a variety of glass sculptures and installations, making it a dynamic space that celebrates the versatility and beauty of glass as an artistic medium.