The most impressive religious sites on Earth
Places of worship, sacred places , churches, cathedrals, temples and others religious buildings are always seen among the most interesting monuments and places when it comes to visiting a city. We always pay special attention to them architecture their beauty and unique character. There are two ways to find a spectacular religious site: often, these places have crossed centuries of history to present themselves to us as a witness of the past; but those recently built impress us by their new architecture that slices with the usual lines.
A place of worship is also remarkable by its location . You will see that some of them have been built in impressive places. We gathered together 32 places of worship all over the world that come out of the ordinary!
Stavkirke de Borgund, Norway
Taktshang Monastery, Bhutan
Taktshang is the most famous Buddhist monasteries in Bhutan. It is hung on a cliff at 3,120 metres above the Paro valley. At 300 meters from the monastery, we find the "Tiger's Tile" a hermitage where a monk isolates for three years.
Monastery Santa María Magdalena, Novelda, Spain
One of the most important elements of Novelda’s heritage, the Sanctuary Santa María Magdalena, built in the 19th century by José Salas (1918-1946), a disciple of Antoni Gaudí who inspired the Sagrada Familia of Barcelona for its realization.
The Dôme/Duomo (or Cathedral of the Nativity-de-la-Sainte-Vierge), Milan, Italy
The Duomo or Cathedral of Milan, is the third largest church in Europe (after the Church of St. Peter of Rome and the Cathedral of Seville ). Its construction began in 1386, but took almost 500 years. 135 arrows and 3200 statues adorn the roof of the cathedral on which one can climb to have a superb view of Piazza del Duomo and the rest of the city of Milan.
Church of Saint Mary of Assumption, Bled, Slovenia
US Air Force Cadet Chapel, Colorado Springs, USA
Chipkan Memorial Temple, Bulgaria
The Chipka Monastery has a bell tower of 51 meters high which includes a total of 17 bells, the largest of which weighs 12 tons.
High Mosque Sheikh Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
It is not called "Great" for nothing. This mosque can contain about 40,000 faithful, has 82 domes, more than 1000 columns, and the world's largest carpet handmade.
Church of San Agustín, Paoay, Philippines
It is one of the few baroque churches remaining in the country and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Completed in 1710, the church is known for its distinctive architecture, characterized by the immense foothills on the sides and back of the building.
Saint-Patrick Cathedral, Melbourne, Australia
This church is the largest and most important of all Australia.
Sainte-Élisabeth Church, Bratislava, Slovakia
Also known as the “blue church”, for obvious reasons, the façade and decorations are blue, and the interior is richly decorated, with blue benches.
The cardboard church of Christchurch, New Zealand
This temporary church was built after the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, which damaged the city's cathedral. To replace the Anglican neo-Gothic church destroyed in 2011, the building is planned to last 50 years. The cardboard building, designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, appears as a symbol of the city’s healing.
Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia, Higüey, Dominican Republic
The basilica of Higuey is dedicated to the worship of the patron saint of the country, the virgin of Altagracia (Nuestra Señora de Altagracia) who would have appeared to the soldiers of Christopher Columbus. Believers come from the 4 corners of the country and participate in impressive processions on January 21.
Pogost de Kiji (Church of Transfiguration), Russia
The church with 22 domes measuring 37 meters high on and made entirely of wood is one of the highest structures in wooden logs in the world. According to a legend, the church of the Kiji Transfiguration was built by a single axe (it is built without nails) that later the craftsman threw into the lake. In reality it is a few nails, but only in the upper part.
Green Church, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Saint-André Church, Kiev, Ukraine
A masterpiece of Rococo art, this church considered one of the most beautiful in Kiev was built in 1755 by the Italian architect Francesco Rastrelli. It is one of the many other beautiful churches in Kiev.
Mormon Temple, San Diego, United States
The Mormon Temple of San Diego is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of the saints of the last days located near La Jolla, San Diego, California.
Cristal Mosque, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
Located on an artificial island and inaugurated in 2008, this mosque is made of steel and glass, giving it the appearance of being crystal clear. Amid tradition and modernity, the Cristal Mosque in Malaysia fits perfectly within its environment.
Dutch Reformed Church, Graaff-Reinet, South Africa
The church is located in the center of the city and is the fourth church built in the same place. It is considered one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in South Africa. It houses a chair and a great organ that deserves a look. The treasure, installed in the sacristy, brings together a set of silver cuts.
The Buddhist monastery of Mount Popa, Burma
Held at the top of a neck (volcano) at almost 760 meters above sea level, the monastery is accessible by climbing a staircase of 777 steps. But keep an eye on the hundreds of monkeys that could steal food in your bags while you go up.
Qolsharif Mosque, Kazan, Russia
The Qolşärif Mosque (or Koul-Charif) is a religious building of the kremlin of the city of Kazan in Russia. At the time of its construction, it was known to be the largest mosque in Europe behind those in Istanbul.
Small chapel, Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom
It is perhaps the smallest chapel in the world and it is beautifully and richly decorated with shells, pebbles and colored pieces of broken porcelain.
Saint Mary Magdalene Church, Jerusalem, Israel
This Russian Orthodox church is a distinctive landmark of Jerusalem with its seven golden domes that scintillate in the sun on the Mount of Olives. The church is dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, a disciple of Jesus who would have been the first to have seen him after his resurrection.
Cathedral of the Annunciation, Kharkiv, Ukraine
The Grand Cathedral of the Annunciation is located in the historic centre of the city, attracting by its original forms and its unusual “broken” bricking, it is one of the most beautiful temples in Kharkiv.
Lotus Temple, New Delhi, India
For the inhabitants of India, the lotus flower means purity and peace. It is one of the most visited religious buildings in the world. It is a monument that is open to all beliefs. Regardless of its religious character, this remarkable architectural work has received many prizes.
Notre-Dame de Dinant, Belgium
It is located on the edge of the Meuse, and it is one of the most representative monuments of the Gothic architecture of the 13th century.
Church Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik, Iceland
The construction of the largest church in Iceland began in 1945 and took almost 38 years. This church is made of concrete and its arrow measures 75 m. Its architecture recalls the basaltic organisms, present in large numbers in Iceland.
Blue mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
Built in the early 1600s, this mosque is known for its cascade dome and its 6 minarets. Most mosques have a maximum of 4 and only the sacred Mosque of Mecca has seven.
Monastery Saint-Michel-au-Dôme-d’Or, Kiev, Ukraine
The monastery is located on the west bank of the Dniepr, on the edge of a steep rock wall, northeast of the Cathedral of Sainte-Sophie. The building is located in the "High City", a historical core and administrative district of Kiev, and dominates the shopping area of the city, the Podol district. Its construction began in 1713.
Trinity Church, Antarctica
This Russian Orthodox church was built in Russia in the 1990s and then transported to the Russian Antarctic Station. It is one of the seven churches of Antarctica.
Saint-Basile-le-Bienheureux Cathedral, Moscow, Russia
Located on Red Square in Moscow, this cathedral was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible and built in the mid-19500s.
Shrine of Las Lajas, Colombia
This neo-Gothic church is near the border with Ecuador and is located on a 46-metre bridge above a river. The church was built on a horse-drawn gorge, where a mute little girl had found the word by miracle.
Which one of these buildings impressed you most?
Photo source: Distractify
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