I’ve always been attracted to magnificent architecture, especially of buildings attached to history. Religious marvels, like the ones I’m about to show you, hold a special kind of mysticism to me. These buildings were created and imagined by great thinkers and great builders, and their inspiration came from phenomena that so many people in the world share beliefs in. These are great places of gathering — where people come together to humble themselves and in awe of powers greater than themselves. Though there can be many places can provide grounds for each of us individually to connect to our spirituality, these places were created by man for all of mankind. I think there is something special about the purpose these holy places serve for humanity. Just as we all need physical support in the form of food and shelter, these places provide spiritual support for millions of people.
St Peter’s Basilica is found in Vatican City and has been at the center of the Catholic Church since it’s very beginning. In the first century AD St Peter was buried in that spot after his crucifixion. Because of his importance as first pope the place was remembered and revered by the early Christians. In the 4th century the first basilica of St Peter was built there and that was replaced in the 16th century by the current Basilica – designed by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It is one of the greatest (if not the greatest) works of renaissance architecture to exist today. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the official Papal basilica – that honor is held by the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran.
Translated as “The Sacred Mosque,” Masjid Al-Haram is the largest mosque in the world and surrounds the Kaabah. Every day, Muslims face toward the Kaabah from all parts of the world and offer prayer. Each year, millions of Muslims travel to the mosque for a seven day pilgrimage called Hajj.
The most important place in Buddhism is the Mahabodhi Temple which is built on the site which is believed to be the “Navel of the Earth”. Translated as “The Great Awakening Temple,” it is the location of the Bodhi Tree under which the first Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment around 528 BC. The temple is in the state of Bihar in India.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most sacred temples to Hindus. It is located in Varanasi (a city mentioned in the Hindu scriptures – home of the god Shiva), India. Hindus are expected to travel at least once in their lifetime to Varanasi and they should also ideally scatter the ashes of their dead family members in the Ganghes river there. Hindus believe that the town is the oldest living town in human history. The temple has a fifteen meter high gold spire, part of which is pictured above.
Sri Harmandir Sahib is one of the holiest sites in Sikhism. It is located in Punjab, India and was built in 1574 AD. It contains the holiest scriptures to Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib – a variety of poems, hymns, and religious instructions. The temple is also called the “Temple of Gold” as its upper floors are covered in real gold.
This is the largest synagogue in Europe the fifth largest in the world. It houses a holocaust museum, school, and a cemetery. It was constructed in 1854 and can seat three thousand people.