When the Vatican appointed the sculptor and architect Michelangelo to rebuild St. Peter's Basilica, he based it on the Greek Cross plan.

But it's also younger: The Cathédrale de la Major was built in the mid- to late 19th century, and its unique Byzantine design reflects a period in time where Marseille port was "the gateway to ...

Byzantine design styles were also widely adopted, though with an interesting local twist. "If these men were shopping in eastern cities," Dr Gittos said, "they were not bringing back gifts for ...