In a Christian church, a pulpit is a raised structure, usually enclosed, from which a member of the clergy delivers a sermon and addresses the congregation. This elevated stand has its origins in antiquity as a simple brick stone platform. By the 10th century, however, these podiums had evolved into ornate and highly decorative stages, elaborate in their design and highly symbolic of the faith they represented. Today, a pulpit is an essential and often eye-catching element in Western church architecture. But where can you admire some of the most exuberant examples?
Click through and take a look at the world's finest pulpits.