religious sites around the world

Religious Sites Around the World

Prepared by: Vanessa Magallon

Address: Maharashtra 431117, IndiaUNESCO World Heritage Site inscription: 1983• This series of caves have

religious carvings and paintings that date from the second century B.C.E.

• They were used by Buddhist monks as prayer halls and monasteries for about nine centuries, and then abruptly abandoned.

It preserves some of the best masterpieces of Buddhist art

in India.

Baha’i temple Haifa, Israel • Completed in 2001• It is the second

holiest shrine of the Baha'i Faith.

• In July 2008, they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The essence of the Baha’i religion is in finding pure love, orderliness and harmony. The garden is a place of pilgrimage for followers of Baha’i teachings. Terraces and flower compositions, alleys and lawns, everything of is made in the Persian style, and represents the most important life stages of Baha’u’llah, the founder and prophet of the Baha’i Faith.

Borobudur, Indonesia

Address: IndonesiaConstruction started: 750 ADHeight: 35 mProvince: Central JavaArchitectural style: Architecture of IndiaArchitect: Gunadharma

"Borobudur Temple" is locally known as Candi Borobudur and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

Cathedral of San Geovanni, Turin, Italy Address: Via XX Settembre, 87, 10122 Torino, ItalyConstruction started: 1491Province: Province of TurinArchitectural styles: Renaissance architecture, Baroque architecture

Home of the Holy Shroud, said to be the cloth in which

Jesus was wrapped after

crucifixion.

Dedicated to Saint John the Baptist (Italian: San Giovanni Battista), it is the seat of the Archbishops of Turin.

Chartres Cathedral, France

Address: 16 Cloître Notre Dame, 28000 Chartres, FranceConstruction started: 1193Height: 113 mArchitectural styles: French Gothic architecture, Gothic architectureFunction: Cathedral, Place of worship

Chartres Cathedral has housed the tunic of the Blessed Virgin

Mary, the Sancta Camisia, since 876. The relic was said to have been given to the cathedral by

Charlemagne, who received it as a gift during a trip to Jerusalem.

Because of this relic, Chartres has been very important.

Dome of the Rock, Israel Address: JerusalemOpened: 691 ADHeight: 35 mOwner: Ministry of Awqaf Islamic Affairs and Holy PlacesFunction: ShrineArchitects: Raja ibn Haywah, Yazid Ibn SalamArchitectural styles: Islamic architecture, Byzantine architecture, Umayyad architecture

The Dome of the Rock is built on the place where, according to Muslim’s belief, Muhammad ascended to heaven and according to Jews, Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice. The building is built over a sacred stone and the Dome is octagonal in shape.

The Hajj, Saudi Arabia

An annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, and a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey, and can support their family during their absence.

- The Hajj is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God (Allah). -The word Hajj means "to intend a journey", which connotes both the outward act of a journey and the inward act of intentions.

St. Basil’s Cathedral, MoscowAddress: Red Square, Moscow, Russia, 109012Height: 48 mFounder: Ivan the TerribleArchitects: Postnik Yakovlev, Ivan BarmaBurials: Basil Fool for Christ, Alexei Komech, Peter PetreiusFunction: Place of worship, ChurchArchitectural styles: Russian architecture, Byzantine architecture

-It contains much symbolism and is said to have represented the Jerusalem temple, although the center of Saint Basil’s Cathedral is now a museum and is open to public.-The cathedral was thus officially named Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat

Saint Basil’s Cathedral is a group of nine churches or chapels, which sit on one foundation, and were built from 1555 to 1561.

Church of the Sepulcher, Jerusalem, Israel

Address: JerusalemConstruction started: 326 ADFounder: Constantine the GreatBurials: Godfrey of Bouillon, Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, moreArchitect: HelenaArchitectural styles: Baroque, Romanesque architecture, Baroque architecture

– Built on the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus, this church is one of the most holy in Christendom. -The Church of the Holy Sepulchre also called the Church of the Resurrection or Church of the Anastasis is a church within the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.

Church of Nativity, Bethlehem, Israel

Address: BethlehemOpened: 333 ADArchitectural type: Byzantine EmpireUNESCO World Heritage Site inscription: 2012Architectural styles: Gothic Revival architecture, Romanesque architectureArchitect: Helena

The original church was built in 325 on the site of Jesus’ birth. The church was rebuilt in the sixth century and was later repaired in the twelfth century by the crusaders. The fortress-like stone church is one of the oldest in the world still in continuous use.

Jokhang temple, Lhasa, China

This is the holliest of Tibetan Buddhist temple attracting crowds of prostrating Tibetan pilgrims and curious foreign tourists every year. It hosts the annual Great Prayer Festival, as well as all ceremonies of initiation for the Dalai Lama and Panchen Llamas.

-It was constructed by Tibetan King Songtsan Gambo in the 7th century to house the sacred image of the Buddha-Jowo Rinpoche, which was the dowry of Chinese princess Wencheng; the second wife of Songtsan Gambo married 641.

Juma Mosquee, Durban, South Africa

Opened: 1930Capacity: 6,000Province: KwaZulu-NatalNumber of minarets: 8Architectural type: Mosque

The largest mosque in the Southern Hemisphere. -Also known as the Grey Street Mosque, it represents a spiritual center for Durban's Muslims. It was built 1880s and completed 1930s.

Masada, Israel

Event: Siege of MasadaBuilder: Alexander JannaeusRegion: JudeaFounded: 1st century BCArchaeologist: Yigael YadinManagement: Israel Nature and Parks Authority

Atop a 1,300 – foot (400 – meter) mesa – shaped rock are the remains of a centuries old – fortress. It was here in 73 C.E that 900 Jews withstood 10,000 Roman soldiers for seven months. When defeat was imminent, the Jews committed suicide. Masada is now a site of Jewish pilgrimage.

Medina, Saudi Arabia

-Because Medina is a sacred area, only Muslims are permitted to enter. The airport, however, lies just outside the sacred limits, and a good view of the city can be obtained by foreigners from aircraft landing there.

Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Utah

Height: 68 mOpened: April 6, 1893Architectural style: Gothic architectureArchitect: Truman O. Angell

Headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. -The temple was begun in 1853. It was finished in 1893. It took 40 years.

Bagan, Myanmar

Dating from 849 C.E, this area contains thousands of Buddhist shrines, pagoda, and monasteries.-Bagan, formerly known as 'Pagan' was the capital of the present day Myanmar in the 9th to 13th. -Bagan is fondly known as the 'sea of temples'.

Passion Play,Oberammergau,Germany

The first Passion play was performed in this tiny village in1634 because of a vow made to God during the plague of 1633. The vow has been kept and the play is performed every 10 years, reenacting the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Sacré Coeur, Paris, France

Height: 83 mOpened: 1914Architects: Paul Abadie, Lucien Magne, Honoré Daumet, Charles Laisné, Henri-Pierre-Marie Rauline, Jean-Louis HulotArchitectural styles: Ancient Roman architecture, Byzantine architecture

- After France's 1870 defeat by the Prussians in the Franco-Prussian War and its aftermath, the Commune of 1871, the basilica was planned as a guilt offering and a vote of confidence to cure France's misfortunes.

-Means ‘Sacred-Heart’ in English and is a reference to the heart of Jesus, which is the representation of his divine love for humanity.

St. Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai , Egypt

The cathedral was built in the sixth century on the site of the Burning Bush. It contains a huge library with early Christian manuscripts and relics.

-The monastery's actual name is the Monastery of the Transfiguration, but it later became associated with St. Catherine of Alexandria, a 3rd-century martyr whose head and hand were brought here for safe keeping in the 10th century.

St.Patrick’s Cathedral, New York

Height: 103 m Opened: 1878Architectural styles: Gothic Revival architecture, English Gothic architectureArchitect: James Renwick Jr.

-The Cathedral was named after St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, in response to the increasing numbers of Irish immigrants in the city

Built in 1858, it is the largest Roman Catholic church in the United States. The marble structure is cruciform in shape and has 12 side chapels. Of particular note are the many stained glass windows and the 19-bell chimes.

Todai-ji Temple, Nara, Japan

This temple contains the largest bronze Buddha in the world. - Todaiji represented the culmination of imperial Buddhist architecture.- The best-known relic at Todaiji Temple is its Daibutsu, a colossal statue that, with 15 meters (49 feet) in height, is the world's largest gilded bronze Buddha. It is housed in an all-wood building, the Daibutsu-den, 48 meters (157 feet) in height, the largest wooden building in the world.

Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, India

The most holy city to those who follow the Hindu faith. The temple offers several sites to ritually bathe in the Ganges River, sprinkle ashes of the deceased, or pass on to the next life. -It is believed that when the earth was created the first ray of light fell on Kashi. There are legends that believe that Shiva had actually stayed here for some time.

Western Wall or Wailing Wall, Jerusalem, Israel

Once part of King Solomon’s Temple, the wall is one of the most holy sites in Jerusalem. -It has been a site for Jewish prayer and pilgrimage for centuries, the earliest source mentioning Jewish attachment to the site dating from the 4th century.

Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City

also called The Virgin of Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe’s role in Mexican history is not limited to religious matters; she has played an important role in Mexican nationalism and identity. The image of the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared on the rebels’ banners, and the rebels’ battle cry was “Long Live Our Lady of Guadalupe.” Devotees believe that the Virgin of Guadalupe can cure almost any sickness.

Shwedagon, Pagoda, Myanmar

is believed to enshrine eight hairs of the Gautama Buddha as well as relics of three former buddhas. The Shwedagon Pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old according to legend but archeologist believe that the shrine is 1,400 years old.

Lotus Temple, Indiaalso known as the Bahai house. It is in line with the teachings of the Bahai faith believing in the Oneness of God, the Oneness of Religions, and the Oneness of Mankind. As such, people of all religions and races are welcome in the temple as it is a place to worship the creator of the universe and not one particular deity.

Saint – Michel d’Aguilhe Chapel, France

Also called Saint Michael of the Needle. The chapel is reached by 268 stone steps that wind their way up the side of the rock. The Chapel was built by the bishop of Puy to celebrate the return of St. Michael who was on pilgrimage to Saint Jacques de Compostela.

Hagia Sophia, Turkey

Sophia means Wisdom in Greek Language. When we translate the full name of Hagia Sophia to English it is Shrine of The Holy Wisdom of God. -Hagia Sophia was dedicated to Logos who was the second person in the Holy Trinity, in December 25th. And it has been standing for over 1400 years. -Hagia Sophia is the only building in the world that served to three religions in order; Pagan, Christian Orthodox and Sunni Islam.

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

It is also called the Sultan Ahmet cami, (cami is Turkish for mosque) due to its location in the Sultan Ahmet district, that holds all sites belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage list.- It is open every day of the year but closed at prayer times for 90 minutes. Muslims may still arrive at the mosque outside of prayer time, so visitors are asked to be respectful, and avoid flash photography.-The architecture is a blend of Ottoman and Byzantine styles

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Notre Dame is located on the Paris Island called Ile de la Cite, which concentrated the power attributes of France between the 4th and the 14th century.- It is almost 400 feet long, and about 140 feet wide. The famous twin towers at the front are 200 feet high and have 387 steps from the ground floor to the top.- The cathedral actually belongs to the French government, because of a law dating from 1905. The government has given the Church permission to use the building.

Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, Colombia an underground Roman Catholic Church built within the tunnels of a salt mine 200 meters underground in a Halite mountain. It is also a religious center and one of the most famous Catholic sanctuaries of the country, which commemorates Jesus Christ’s Stations of the Cross.

Lourdes, France The most visited pilgrimage shrine in the Christian world, Lourdes is not an ancient site but of more recent development. Lourdes is the site of a Marian apparition in 1858.-The pilgrimage season at Lourdes lasts from April through October, with the main day being August 15, the Marian Feast of Assumption.-Pilgrims visiting Lourdes for its healing qualities bathe in pools of water from Bernadette's spring.

THAT’S THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.

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