The tallest cathedral in the world is technically still unfinished because its height created structural issues.

Location: Beauvais, France

Cost: N/A

Constructed: 1225-1272 (technically unfinished)

Issue: Wind resonance and poor reinforcement

Date of incident: 1284

The Beauvais Cathedral claims to be the tallest cathedral in the world, but that fame came at a strange price. To achieve the height, the builders and planners had to push their resources to the limit, and the building suffered as a result — in fact, the cathedral is technically unfinished, even if it is functional.

The current cathedral is merely part of the original plan. Started in 1225, the foundations indicate that the cathedral was meant to be truly immense, but the only part that was finished for use was the choir vault and the central nave. The main body of work was finished in 1272, and services started immediately. In 1284, part of the choir vault collapsed due to the strain and, possibly, vibrations from high speed winds. Additionally, some of the other parts of the cathedral that were not completed might have added necessary support and reinforcement.

Repairs were made, as were additional attempts to build other parts of the cathedral, but the height proved too troublesome. Work finally ceased in the 1600s, but additional reinforcements have been added as needed over the centuries to the current structure.