Comprising two massive rock temples in southern Egypt on the western bank of Lake Nasser and being staggering large, Abu Simbel remains one of Egypt's top tourist attractions.
Hathor Temple of Dendera (Egypt)
Situated just outside the town of Qena, Dendera is a site of the remarkably well-preserved Ptolemaic Temple of Hathor known for its beautiful wall-reliefs and sculptures.
Dedicated to Horus, the falcon headed god, Temple of Horus at Idfy was built during the reigns of six Ptolemies. It is consided to be the best preserved ancient temple in Egypt.
Dedicated to sky god Haroeris and to the corcodile headed god Sobek, it is an unusual double temple. It was built during the dominion Ptolemaic dynasty in the Egyptian town of Kom Ombo.
St. Catherine Monastery (Egypt)
It has been one of the world’s great centers of religious pilgrimage for over fifteen centuries. Nowadays the monastery guards a large collection of Christian manuscripts and icons.
Bibi-Khanym Mosque (Uzbekistan)
The name of Bibi-Khanym Mosque comes from the wife of 14th-century warlord, Timur. After his Indian campaign in 1399 Timur decided to undertake the construction of a gigantic mosque in his new capital, Samarkand
Chor-Bakr necropolis (Uzbekistan)
Chor-Bakr necropolis is a copy of a real town with courtyards, streets, green trees and lawns, mosques and familial burial vaults, but all these is for the dead. It was formed around the grave of Abu Bakr Sa'd
The construction of the Djuma Mosque is unconventional and unique - there are no domes, galleries, portals - only the roof, held by 213 carved columns
Gur-e Amir Mausoleum (Uzbekistan)
The earliest part of the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum was built at the end of 14th cent. It contains the tombs of Tamerlane, his sons Shah Rukh and Miran Shah and grandson Ulugh Beg and Muhammad Sultan
Imam Al Bukhari complex (Uzbekistan)
The Muslims equate a visit to the Memorial Complex of Imam Al-Bukhari with a small Hajj
Kalta Minar Minaret (Uzbekistan)
The bright blue décor of the Kalta Minar Minaret is unique for Central Asia. Is the only structure which surface is completely covered with colored glazed tiles
Kalyan Minaret is a symbol of sacred Bukhara. From here the Muslims were convened for prayer. It was erected entirely of burnt brick in 1127
Great Kalyan Mosque is the second largest in Central Asia after Bibi Khanym of Samarkand. It can simultaneously accommodate more than 10 000 of worshipers
Mir-i Arab Madrasah (Uzbekistan)
Mir-i Arab Madrasah, built in XVI century C. E., one of the most esteemed ecclesiastical Islamic schools, is still in force
Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrassah (Uzbekistan)
Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrassah was the largest medieval ecclesiastical school of Khiva. Now there is the tourist hotel “Khiva” in the building
Naqshbandi Mausoleum (Uzbekistan)
Naqshbandi Mausoleum was erected in 1544 in honor of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi - very respected Sheikh of Bukhara. Silence and solitude of this ensemble, its beautiful architectural forms, will force anyone to think about God
Shah-i-Zinda Ensemble (Uzbekistan)
The Shah-i-Zinda Ensemble includes mausoleums and other ritual buildings of 9-14th and 19th centuries. The legend says that Kusam ibn Abbas, the cousin of the prophet Muhammad was buried there
Alexander Svirsky monastery (Russia)
Reverend Alexander Svirsky, the founder of Alexander Svirsky monastery, was the one of All Saints of the Russian Church who saw the phenomenon of the Holy Trinity
Antonievo-Dymsky monastery (Russia)
Antonievo-Dymsky Monastery was established in XIII cent. , by Reverend Anthony. It has been destructed several times, but now is revived and opened for pilgrims in 1997
Chasozvonya is an architectural monument of XVII century. It is the tallest building of the Novgorod Kremlin
Church of the Holy Trinity (Russia)
Church of the Holy Trinity – the Family Tomb of Baron Alexander von Stieglitz (1814 – 1884) – the famous Russian philanthropist and financier
One of the most interesting buildings of Alexandria Park is the Gothic Capella - home church of the imperial family, built in honor of Alexander Nevsky
Iversky Monastery, build in the mid 17th century, is now fully restored and open for parishioners. Daily services
Kazanskaya church is an Orthodox Parish of Our Lady of Kazan Icon. It was built in 1915 by the architect Nicholas Nikonov in Moscow-Yaroslavl style of XVI century
Kazansky Cathedral, built in 1811 by Andrey Voronikhin is dedicated to Our Lady of Kazan, probably the most venerated icon in Russia
Lutheran church (Zelenogorsk) was built in 1908 by Finnish architect Josef Steinbeck in Northern Art Nouveau style. Heavily damaged during combat actions, now it is completely restored
Mikhail Archangel Church (Russia)
Michael the Archangel Church is very beautiful. It has never been rebuilt, and preserved the original look to recent days
Pokrovo-Tervenichi Monastery (Russia)
The main sacred things of Pokrovo-Tervenichi Monastery are the Icon of Our Lady, the Holy Source, and particles of the relics of many Saints
Saint Sophia Cathedral (Russia)
In Novgorod Saint Sophia Cathedral (XI century) the relics of Prince Vladimir Yaroslavich and miraculous icon «Sign of Our Lady» are kept
Spasa Nereditsa church (Russia)
Spasa Nereditsa church - Church of Our Savior in Novgorod is a unique architectural monument of XII century, fully restored in the mid-twentieth century
Tikhvin Uspensky Monastery (Russia)
Tikhvin Uspensky Monastery is a place of pilgrimage - believers crave for touching the principal holy thing of the Monastery - Our Lady of Tikhvin miraculous icon
Vvedensky Nunnery was founded 15 years ago in the churchyard ground Volodimirets (X century). There is a hotel for pilgrims
It is the site of a Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat hosting the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary and which is identified with the location of the Holy Grail in Arthurian myth.
Originally designed by Antoni Gaudí it is a massive Roman Catholic Church under construction in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor built in the early 12th century. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture
Phnom Bakheng temple (Cambodia)
Phnom Bakheng temple is one of the oldest temples of Angkor, built nearly 900 AD. An unforgettable view to the valley opens from the upper platform at the time of sunrise
Ta Prohm is one of the most famous temples of Angkor, absorbed by jungles, today appears almost as it was when it had been discovered by archaeologists in XIX century
Wat Phnom Pagoda was established in 1373 on the occasion of the rescue from the waters of the Mekong statues of Buddha. Mythical snakes and lions guard the entrance to the temple
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (France)
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, built in the Roman-Byzantine style, crowns the Montmartre hill, from which one can admire an impressive panorama of Paris
To see with one’s own eyes the mysterious and legendary Notre-Dame de Paris - one of the main symbols of Paris – is a dream of any traveler
Buddha in Gandan Monastery (Mongolia)
The twenty-ton statue of Buddha of the Gandan Monastery, Ulan Bator is a copy of the original sculpture, destroyed in 1938, during the antireligious campaign in Mongolia
Inside the shining gold 20-meter statue of young Buddha every day are officiated divine services. Classic pavilions with traditional ornaments and religious symbols are around
Erdene Zuu monastery (Mongolia)
Erdene Zuu is the oldest Buddhist monastery of Mongolia, the place of pilgrimage. Its construction was begun in 1586 on the place of Genghis Khan empire’s capital Karakorum
The Burana Tower - a minaret made of burned brick. It is one of the earliest and most prominent architectural constructions in Central Asia
Meteora is the unique monastic state among majestic rocky landscape - many monasteries on stone pillars. Four monasteries and two nunneries are open for visitors now
Church of Our Lady Victorious (Czech Republic)
Church of Our Lady Victorious was built in the early Baroque style by German Lutherans in 1611. In 1624 it passed to the Carmelite Order. Its present appearance the church acquired in 1640
Clock Tower of Loreta (Czech Republic)
Clock Tower of Loreta is one of the main attractions of Prague. The first time the Loreto bells rang on the 15 August 1695
St. Vitus Cathedral (Czech Republic)
Saint Vitus's Cathedral, located within Prague Castle, is a Roman Catholic cathedral and the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. It contains the tombs of many Bohemian kings. The cathedral is an outstanding example of Gothic architecture
Strahov Monastery (Czech Republic)
The Strahov Monastery, still valid, was founded by Vladislav II in 1143. It is home to Premonstratensian monks. Richly decorated library, which contains more than 125 thousand books attracts tourists
The construction of the Dom Cathedral has began in 1211 and lasted for many centuries. The cathedral organ is one of the largest in the world
Echmiadzin Cathedral (Armenia)
Echmiadzin Cathedral, one of the most ancient monuments of Christianity, was built in IV century, after Christianity has became the state religion of Armenia
The pagan temple of Garni belongs to the Hellenistic era. It was built to honor the Sun God – Mitra. There are also remains of an ancient fortress, royal palace, baths
The monastery complex built in XII-XIII centuries and originally called the cave monastery, was later renamed into Geghard. All of the ancient buildings are open for visitors
Built in X century, the Haghpat Monastery includes: the Church of the Holy Virgin, the Church of the Holy Nshan,the ancient book depository and some other buildings
Khor Virap monastery (Armenia)
The Khor Virap monastery is of the same age with Christianity in Armenia. Being located at the foot of Biblical Mount Ararat it is the place of pilgrimage of believers
The significant religious and cultural center of medieval Armenia - Noravank monastery complex is the unique monument of architecture of XIII-XIV centuries
The Church of the Holy Virgin with the remarkable bas-relief above the entrance and the chapel have preserved in the Oganavank monastery complex(V century)
Saghmosavank Monastery (Armenia)
Saghmosavank Monastery or Monastery of Psalms was built in XII-XIII centuries by Vachutyan family. All buildings were restored after the earthquake of 1988 year
Mausoleum of Arystan-bab (Kazakhstan)
Mausoleum of Arystan-bab was erected over the grave of the religious mystic of XII century. Mausoleum has been rebuilt in different centuries
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (Kazakhstan)
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, erected on the grave of the preacher, the Sufi poet and one of the first mystics of the Turkic world, is one of the main places of worship of Muslims in the region
St. Patrick`s Cathedral (United States)
The biggest U. S. Catholic Temple - St. Patrick`s Cathedral, has ceased to be an architectural dominant of New York because of an abundance of skyscrapers
St. Panteleimon cathedral (Georgia)
St. Panteleimon (Saint Pantaleon) cathedral, the biggest in Abkhazia, was built in XIX century. Women allowed to visit the monastery should wear long skirts and be head covered
The Notre-Dame Basilica was built in the Neo-Gothic style in 1829. It is famous not only for its external splendor, but also for the unique interior decoration
The famous monastery hangs on the cliff, towering above the valley on 700 m. Almost totally Burned in 1998, the Paro Taktsang monastery now is restored and open for pilgrims
Trongsa Dzong (1648)- an ancestral home of the royal family. Annually (December - January), the principal holiday of the country - Trongsa Festival – takes place here
Rila Monastery is one of the greatest shrines of Bulgarian people. It is one of the oldest Orthodox monasteries, founded in the X century by monk Ivan Rilski (St. John of Rila)
Salzburg Cathedral (1628) - the world famous temple, where there are the 4000-pipe organ, a statue of the Virgin Mary (1771) and the Romanesque font where Mozart was baptized in 1756
The Shah Mosque of Esfahan is the embodiment of religious, political and economic life of Iran during the rule of Safavids. It is one of the everlasting masterpieces of Persian architecture
St. John's Cathedral is the tallest building of La Valetta city. Every year at June 24th, the divine service in ancient Latin officiate here in presence of modern Maltese knights
The ancient Romanian Sucevita Monastery is famous for unique frescoes and a rich collection of medieval art
They call Sultan Ahmed Mosque - “the Blue Mosque” thanks to blue tiles decorating the interior. None of the Turkish mosques can be compared with it in refinement
Taj Mahal mausoleum considered to be one of the 8 wonders of the world, and many art experts believe that no one will ever surpass it
Uspenskiy Cave Monastery (Ukraine)
The foundation date of Uspenskiy Cave Monastery, carved out of a cliff, is disputed, although local monks assert that it originated as early as the 8th century. The current monastic establishment dates back to the 15th century
Vacations in Yalta - it is also a great opportunity to get acquainted with the beautiful architecture of its temples
Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) is a distinctive 88 meters single spike of white tangled mosaic with broken porcelain across the river from Wat Po on the dock.
Designed by Prince Narai it is one of the most beautiful temples and a major tourist attraction in Bangkok. Wat Benchamabophit is a Buddhist temple in the Dusit district of Bangkok.
Nearby the Grand Palace, there is a boasting sight, the largest reclining Buddha in Asia.
The temple is located in the center of Bangkok district Phra Nakhon, within the territory of the Grand Palace. It is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.
The renowned for a sacred place among the Thais as well as a famous tourist site is Wat Saket. A staircase of 318 steps leads to the top of the Golden Mount and to the Buddha’s relics.
