Veneration. The Most Iconic Temples in the World
Taj Mahal, India
The legendary Taj Mahal is one of the most recognizable attractions in the world. A very romantic and fateful story is connected with the construction of the mausoleum. Its construction lasted more than twenty years and ended in 1653. The mausoleum was begun by order of the great Mogul Shah Jahan, who dedicated the mausoleum of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during his birth.
In the middle of the huge architectural complex is the crypt with two tombs - the great emperor and his great love. The construction surprises with the impressive extent. The height of the mausoleum is 74 meters. The most unusual and most recognizable element of the mausoleum is the huge marble dome with the height of 35 meters. According to the historical data, about 22,000 workers participated in the construction of the mausoleum. In the course of more than twenty years the construction work was literally broken off for a minute.
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Westminster Abbey, England
Westminster Abbey, England
Description
One of the most remarkable monuments of medieval architecture in the world is in London. The construction of the abbey of Westmünster was begun in the 13th century. The fact that the buildings of the monastery, which had been vacant since the 16th century, have survived to the present seems simply unbelievable. Many elements of the great complex have remained unchanged for more than seven centuries. The monastery church has completely preserved its original form. This is a typical example of Gothic architecture. A part of the old building was put at the disposal of the college, which is now in the abbey. Complete article
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Notre-Dame de Paris, France
Notre-Dame de Paris, France
Description
The legendary cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris, which is located in the center of the French capital, is the most famous Catholic cathedral in the world. The beautiful cathedral that visitors see today Paris was built in the middle of the 19th century, although the construction of the first cathedral was completed in 1345. During the revolution, the cathedral was almost completely destroyed and destroyed. It was only after the publication of the novel by Victor Hugo that it was decided to renovate the cathedral. Complete article
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Kolner Dom, Germany
Kolner Dom, Germany
Description
Cologne Cathedral, which has many myths and legends, is popular among tourists from all over the world. The main attraction of Cologne has been preserved only through a miracle during the war. In the immediate vicinity of the cathedral, the numerous explosions, which completely destroyed the surrounding buildings, popped. The construction of the cathedral on the site of the older Romanesque cathedral began in 1248. Remarkable that the new cathedral was built in Gothic style, although the Romanesque style was much more widespread during this period. Complete article
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Sheikh Zayed Mosque, United Arab Emirates
Sheikh Zayed Mosque, United Arab Emirates
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Sheikh Zayid Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, is the landmark of national importance in UAE. There are 40,000 people in the mosque. The huge snow-white building with the numerous domes and the fine gilding painting surprises with the magnificent figure. The main hall of the mosque is counted on 7,000 people. Next door is the impressive and large men's and women's rooms. Complete article
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Al-Haram Mosque, Saudi Arabia
Al-Haram Mosque, Saudi Arabia
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The largest mosque in the world is located in Mecca. On the territory of the Al-Masjid al-Haram Mosque is the most important Islamic sanctuary - the Kaaba. As the legend tells, the construction of the first mosque near the great sanctuary began in 638. The mosque, which is visited by millions of believers today, was mentioned in the historical documents for the first time in 1570. The mosque area is 357 000 sqm, and the height of the minarets reaches 95 meters. Four huge gates serve as an entrance into the mosque. In addition, the mosque was equipped with 44 entrances all round. Complete article
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Temple of Emerald Buddha, Thailand
Temple of Emerald Buddha, Thailand
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The famous Wat Phra Kaeo or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is located in Bangkok, is not only a prominent religious site, but also one of the holiest places in the world for Buddhists. The temple was named in honor of its main reliquary - the statues of Emerald Buddha, whose height is 66. Unlike in general, the statue is not cut out of the giant emerald, but from the jadeite, which is an emerald green variety of nephrite. Complete article
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Lotus Temple, India
Lotus Temple, India
Description
By far not all the world famous temples were built several centuries ago. The construction of the Lotus temple next to New Delhi was completed in 1986. This is one of the most beautiful and unusual temples in India. The name of the unique religious edifice fully reflects its primary particularity. From the outside, the temple recalls the huge lotus flower, which is surrounded by the beautiful basins and the beautiful landscape. In the evening, the most important Buddhist temple in India is illuminated with the wonderful artillery, so many tourists go to the temple in the evening. Complete article
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Hassan II Mosque, Morocco
Hassan II Mosque, Morocco
Description
The tourists, who are planning to visit Casablanca, are not to overlook the religious main attraction of Morocco, the Hassan II mosque. It is located in the incredibly beautiful terrain, on the coast of the Atlantic. One can find 105,000 people in the mosque and on the adjacent territory. The height of the only minaret of the mosque is 210 meters. The project of the unique mosque was designed by the architect Michel Pinseau. Complete article
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Imam Mosque, Iran
Imam Mosque, Iran
Description
In Iran, in the ancient Isfahan city, which boomed in the 16th century and was a majestic capital of the Persian Empire, is the unique religious monument. In the heyday of the city, the Imam Mosque was erected for more than four centuries with the impressive size and the peculiar beauty. The height of the mosque is 52 meters. Since its foundation in 1638, it is the tallest building in the city. The general area of the building is about 20,000 square meters, which makes the mosque very majestic. Complete article
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Basilica di San Pietro, Italy
Basilica di San Pietro, Italy
Description
The Vatican has been associated with religious ceremonies and Catholic traditions for several centuries. The landmark of the sovereign state city is a wonderful St. Peter's Basilica. The construction site of the cathedral was not chosen by chance. In ancient times there were the circus gardens of Neron, where according to the legend of the Apostles Peter found the martyrdom. The first religious building was erected on the cathedral site in the period of Emperor Constantine. The first temple existed for more than a thousand years. Complete article
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St. Isaac Cathedral, Russia
St. Isaac Cathedral, Russia
Description
St. Isaac's Cathedral is one of the most beautiful dome-shaped buildings in the world. The area of the cathedral is about 4,000 square meters, and the height is 101.5 meters. The St. Isaac's Cathedral is one of the five largest domes in the world. Although the cathedral lost its religious significance after the revolution of 1917, its original religious and cultural status was restored. Complete article
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Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Russia
Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Russia
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The cathedral of Christ the Savior, located in Moscow, has been the religious landmark of Russia for several years, and a place where the most important services are held. The construction of Russia's largest religious building began in 1839. However, the cathedral was already completely destroyed in 1931. Its restoration lasted several decades. The cathedral was completed only in 1997. Complete article
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Borobudur Temple, Indonesia
Borobudur Temple, Indonesia
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The Indian island of Java has a wonderful religious symbol. On the isterritorium is the beautiful Buddhist temple Borobudur. It was built in the beginning of the 9th century. The mythical Mount Meru served as a prototype for the temple building. The location of the temple is the high hill on whose summit and slopes the huge architectural complex is located. The temple has a very unusual step form and looks very impressive despite its age. The numerous steps of the temple are adorned with the fine stone section. Everywhere you can see the ancient statues of Buddha and the mythical beings. Complete article
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Las Lajas Sanctuary, Columbia
Las Lajas Sanctuary, Columbia
Description
Tourists who want to see one of the most unusual and most majestic religious buildings in the world can be recommended to go to Colombia, and in the surroundings of the city of Ipiales. Here is the unique neo-Gothic Las Lajas cathedral, which is more reminiscent of the ancient castle than of a typical religious building. You have chosen a rather original place for cathedral construction. It was decided to build them over the deep gorge of the Guitara river. Complete article
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