Heavens Above: 4 Ceilings Worth Looking Up For

For millennia, humanity has been fascinated by the night sky. Perhaps that’s why we try to emulate that same natural beauty in architecture, with ornate roofs, domes, and canopies untouchable by shifting weather or light pollution. Sometimes the world’s most incredible sights are literally right above our heads, if only we remember to look up. These ceilings are worth taking a moment to pause and admire what’s looking back from above.

Mirror, Mirror, on the Ceiling

Tucked in Jaipur’s Amber Fort-Palace, in what was once the private quarters of the Maharaja—the Indian prince—sparkles the Sheesh Mahal, the unique courtyard known as the mirror palace. The prince built this glittering facet of the UNESCO World Heritage Site to give his queen the illusion of sleeping beneath the stars; the illumination of a single candle would set the place aglow. Even now, no matter the time of day, light catches each angle of the intricately cut glass geometric patterns all around the room for a dazzling 360-degree display.

Experience the starry wonder of the Sheesh Mahal on Heart of India.

Star Light, Star Bright

Best known for breathtaking stain-glass windows so tall they appear to be the walls themselves, Sainte Chapelle in Paris also boasts a ceiling of hundreds of golden stars. This Gothic architecture represents a time when Earthly people believed church services could connect them to the divine word of God. The windows reflect the story of Genesis and the Bible’s creation story of life on Earth, all while overlooked by the stars above, representing greater divine mysteries. This starry motif is found on both the lower chapel, reserved for non-royal inhabitants, and the upper chapel, used exclusively by royalty, enforcing the eternal truth that no matter where parishioners stood, they were all equal under the shimmering eyes of heaven.

Explore Sainte-Chapelle during your free time in Paris on The Seine: Paris & the Heart of Normandy.

The Sky’s the Limit

Not only is the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca the second largest mosque in Africa, with the world’s second tallest minaret at 689 feet tall, but it also contains the “gate of the sky.” This extraordinarily detailed Atlas cedar wood roof retracts over the central prayer hall, revealing the blue sky and fresh sunlight, creating a uniquely magical experience for devotees. This rare feature allows worshipers to enjoy fresh, ocean air on special occasions, and to connect with nature while they gather in community. Sometimes the most beautiful ceiling is the sky itself! While the roof is rarely opened for non-worshipping visitors, they can still appreciate the beautiful patterns of this engineering marvel during guided tours.

Explore the Hassan II Mosque on Morocco Sahara Odyssey.

Dome Sweet Dome

Sometimes the sheer scale of a structure forces us to look up just to take it all in, and few sights command attention like the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. This UNESCO Heritage Site is currently a mosque, but has changed dominations with every conqueror and occupation since its construction, serving the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, as well as spending time as a secular museum. Everyone can agree the beauty of this Byzantine architectural masterpiece is worth preserving, especially as it contains the first pendentive dome—a constructional device which allows a spherical design to crest over a square room. With this stronger support, the dome is able to be appreciated for centuries. A true icon, the Hagia Sophia has inspired the architecture for numerous other religious structures all over the world, continuing its legacy of overarching majesty.

Appreciate the architectural feats of the Hagia Sophia on Turkey’s Magical Hideaways.

Marvel at the ceiling of the Sheesh Mahal as you explore Jaipur’s Amber Fort during Heart of India.