Located in Zona Sul, Copacabana Beach is one of the most famous and most beautiful beaches in the world. The atmosphere is very vibrant and the people are colorful and fun loving. The view to the left of Copacabana beach is the towering mountain of Sugar Loaf and Fort Duque de Caxias built in 1779. On the right is Copacabana Fort, which dates back to 1914. It houses the Army Historical Museum. The beach runs for 2.2 miles (4 km) in an east west direction running from Postos Dois to Posto Seis. Stop by one of the several beach bars and enjoy a gold cup of chopp (draft beer) and refeicao (herbed meat and fried onions). READ MORE ->

The Mont-Saint-Michel is one of Europe’s most unforgettable sights. Set in the mesmerising bay where Normandy and Brittany merge, the island draws the eye from great distances. The staggering location has long inspired awe and the imagination. The story of how the mount turned into a great place of Christian pilgrimage is colourful. Aubert, bishop of the nearby hilltop town of Avranches early in the 8th century, claimed that the Archangel Michael himself pressured him into having a church built atop the island just out to sea. From 966 onwards, the dukes of Normandy, followed by French kings, supported the development of a major Benedictine abbey on the Mont-Saint-Michel. Magnificent monastic buildings were added through medieval times, one vertiginous section being nicknamed The Marvel. The abbey became a renowned centre of learning, attracting some of the greatest minds and manuscript illuminators in Europe. Vast numbers of pilgrims visited, despite warring cross-Channel royals. However, the ramparts at the base of the island were built to keep English forces out. Other fine buildings went up along the steep village street, now converted into museums, hotels, restaurants and boutiques for today’s tourists. READ MORE ->

Wide, idyllic stretch of white sand framed by turquoise waters, rock formations & dunes. --Google. When we talk about golden sand, virgin land, turquoise waters and breathtaking views, you would think we are talking about a Caribbean beach, but we aren’t Paradise does exist and it exists in the Canary Islands, on the island of La Graciosa and it is called Playa de Las Conchas. It is the most idyllic of all the beaches on the island, without a doubt. And if there is one beach you have to visit, this is it. READ MORE ->

One of the Top Beaches in the World. Pretty pinkish sand, warm lagoon-like waters. Accessible by walking across a sandbar, this island features crystal waters & fine, rose-hued sand. -Google. Elafonissi (GR: Ελαφονήσι) is a small uninhabited islet on the southwest of Crete. It is connected to the mainland with a shallow reef (max. depth 1 meter) that allows crossing when the sea is calm. It is a NATURA 2000 protected area as it is the natural habitat of rare and endangered plant and animal species. READ MORE ->

The tranquil, white-sand beach known for its blue waters, rustic landscape & out-of-the-way locale. -Google.

The beach is considered one of the most beautiful on the island.

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Sandy public beach with activities such as sunbathing, swimming & snorkeling, plus public restrooms.-Google. Consistently rated one of the world’s best beaches. READ MORE ->

You can't hike, boat or drive to this beach! Swimming is your only means of access. The swim to this beach is not easy feat. We recommend you wear fins and only attempt when surf is low. High surf brings dangerous rip tides and crashing ocean waves. Currents may make the journey easier one way than the other, so be wary if your swim seems easier that expected. It may not be so easy on the way back. Look for large arched sea cliffs with a waterfall as you swim to identify this beach. READ MORE ->

Scenic Hindu temple on a lake with gardens, boating & wild animals for photo opportunities. : Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is a water temple situated in the area of Lake Bratan, Bedugul Bali, Indonesia. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is located in the village of Candikuning, Baturiti subdistrict, Tabanan regency, the distance traveled from Denpasar city around 56 kilometers to the north along the highway Denpasar - Singaraja. Ulun Danu Bratan temple is one among the best known Balinese Hindu temples and the most photographed tourist attractions in Bali island. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is typically known as Bali temple by the lake or Bali temple on the water as it appears like floating on the water whenever the water level in the Bedugul Lake Beratan is rising. READ MORE ->

Ancient Buddhist temple on a steep artificial hill topped with a gold chedi, plus sweeping views. Wat Saket, popularly known as the Golden Mount or ‘Phu Khao Thong’, is a low hill crowned with a gleaming gold chedi. Within, the 58-metre chedi houses a Buddha relic and welcomes worshippers all year round. The temple also hosts an annual temple fair in November, which lasts a week during Loy Krathong. The temple grounds feature mature trees and typical Buddhist structures such as the main chapel, ordination hall and library. Its origins can be traced back to the Ayutthaya period (1350- 1767 AD) and it underwent major renovations during King Rama I’s reign (1782-1809). READ MORE ->

Monumental Buddhist temple right on the river, with an iconic, ornately tiled central prang (spire) -Google. Monumental Buddhist temple right on the river, with an iconic, ornately tiled central prang (spire). History of Wat Arun. In 1768, the man who was to become King Taksin travelled to Thonburi from Ayutthaya to establish a new capital on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. According to legend, he arrived just as dawn was breaking at the site of the temple which is known today as Wat Arun. For a while, the temple became the royal chapel and housed the Emerald Buddha. However, it was during the reign of Rama II (1809-1824) that the current design of the temple began to take shape. The temple was further enhanced during the reign of Rama III (1824-1851) and the largest central ‘phra prang’ was extended to the current height seen today. READ MORE ->

Wat Rong Khun, better known as “the White Temple” is one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand. The temple outside the town of Chiang Rai attracts a large number of visitors, both Thai and foreign, making it one of Chiang Rai’s most visited attractions.Wat Rong Khun is a unique temple that stands out through the white color and the use of pieces of glass in the plaster, sparkling in the sun. The white color signifies the purity of the Buddha, while the glass symbolizes the Buddha’s wisdom and the Dhamma, the Buddhist teachings. The Wat Rong Khun was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a famous Thai visual artist. To date the temple is not finished. Eventually there will be nine buildings including an ubosot, a hall to enshrine Buddhist relics, a meditation hall, the monks living quarters and an art gallery. READ MORE ->

Wat Chedi Luang (Temple of the Big Stupa) is an impressive ruined temple in the center of Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.History of Wat Chedi Luang King Saen Muang Ma (r.1385-1401) began construction on Wat Chedi Luang in 1391 to hold the ashes of his father, Ku Na. The building was expanded by later kings, reaching its final form in 1475. It was then given the great honor of housing the Emerald Buddha, the holiest religious object in Thailand (now kept in Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok). At this time, Wat Chedi Luang rose to a height of 84m (280 ft.). A century later, a severe earthquake (1545) toppled part of the great spire. The Emerald Buddha was kept in the chedi for another six years, then moved to Luang Prabang (in present-day Laos) by the king. Five years later, Chiang Mai fell to the Burmese. The temple was never rebuilt, but even at its post-earthquake height (60m) it remained the tallest structure in Chiang Mai until modern times. Several viharns were added to the temple complex in subsequent years; the largest viharn was built in 1928. READ MORE ->

Jokhang Temple ('House of the Lord') in Lhasa is the holiest site in Tibetan Buddhism, 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. Jokhang Temple was founded in 647 by King Songtsen Gampo (r.617-49), the first ruler of a unified Tibet, and his two foreign wives who are credited with bringing Buddhism to Tibet. The king's first wife, Princess Bhrikuti (married in the 630s), was the sister of the Nepalese king, while his second wife, Princess Wencheng (married 641), was the niece or daughter of the Chinese emperor. The temple was constructed to house a sacred image of the Buddha, the Jowo Rinpoche, which Queen Wengcheng brought with her from China as a dowry. This statue is still enshrined within the temple and is the holiest object in Tibet. READ MORE ->

Established in 1987, this iconic contemporary mosque is designed to resemble a Bedouin tent. -Google. Completed in 1986, the Faisal Mosque (also known as Shah Faisal Masjid) is an exceptionally large and unique mosque in Islamabad. Designed by a Turkish architect who won an international competition for the honor, Faisal Mosque is shaped like a desert Bedouin's tent and functions as the national mosque of Pakistan.King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia both suggested (in 1966) and largely funded the Faisal Mosque, which is named in his honor. Ever since its conception, the mosque has been regarded as the national mosque of Pakistan, and as such it symbolizes the hopes and aspirations of the new nation. The architect was Vedat Dalokay of Turkey, whose design was chosen in 1969 after an international competition. Constructed was completed in 1986. READ MORE ->

Perched atop a hill on the western edge of the Kathmandu Valley, the ancient Swayambunath Stupa (known to tourists as the Monkey Temple) is Kathmandu's most important Buddhist shrine. The sleepy, all-seeing Buddha eyes that stare out from the top have become the quintessential symbol of Nepal.When this temple was founded about 2,000 years ago, Kathmandu Valley was filled with a great lake. According to Buddhist legend, a single perfect lotus grew in the center of the lake. When the bodhisattva Manjusri drained the lake with a slash of his sword, the lotus flower settled on top of the hill and magically transformed into the stupa. Thus it is known as the Self-Created (swayambhu) Stupa. The earliest written record of the Swayambunath Stupa's existence is a 5th-century stone inscription, but scholars believe there was probably a shrine here as early as the 1st century. Even before that, it is likely that animist rites took place on this hill. Swayambunath is one of Nepal's oldest Buddhist temples and it has an ancient atmosphere, especially when one approaches on foot with the pilgrims. Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in the north-west parts of the temple. READ MORE ->

In 2001 the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque was completed in Muscat. The architecture of the mosque is subdued yet rich in detail and succeeds in combining the diverse artistic traditions of various Islamic eras and regions in grand harmony. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman this principle of design is also symbolic of the ideal of Omani society with various Islamic traditions and orientations all peacefully united under the roof of the Ibadhi. The grounds of the mosque cover an area of 416,000 square meters. The main entrance is approached through three high arches which are aligned with the sunken lines of dark marble in the pavement and converge on the principle minaret. Its height of 91.5 meters is thus optically accentuated greatly due to the perspective. The entire mosque complex was erected on a rectangular base, at the corners of which are another four minarets, each with a height of 45 meters, completing the enclosure. READ MORE ->

St. Nino Convent and Bodbe (Qiziki) Eparchy Episcopacy center is located in 2 km from Signaghi. Cathedral was constructed in IV century AD, on the tomb of St. Nino who introduced Christianity in Georgia. Bodbe Episcopacy was founded in V century by Vakhtang Gorgasali. In VIII-IX centuries the cathedral was remade into a three-nave basilica. The Georgian king Demetre I (1125-1156) played an important role in decoration of the monastery. Bodbe monastery was renovated many times by the Georgian kings. From the end of XV century Bishop of Bodbe was the commander of Kakheti kingdom military and administrative entity. In XVIII century Bodbe also supervised David Gareji monasteries. READ MORE ->

David Gareji is located in Eastern Georgia, 25 km from Tbilisi, on Iori plateau near the border of Georgia and Azerbaijan. It includes the complex of 19 Medieval monasteries with approximately 5 000 cells for monks. David Gareji is one of the most important landmarks of Georgia. This site is characterised by a unique combination of historic architecture, prehistoric archaeological sites, rich palaeonthological fields and important bio-geographical features widely spread within the arid and semiarid landscape of the river Iori plateau. The dozens of cave monasteries decorated with unique frescoes are the best examples of harmonious interaction of man made structures with the dramatic landscape. They bear the traditional principles of sustainable living and are considered as the masterpieces of Georgian Medieval art. The foundation of monastic centre in the first half of 6th century in the Gareji desert is connected with the name of one of the 13 Assyrian Fathers, St. David named Garejeli and his disciples Lukiane, Dodo and others. Along with the Lavra founded by St. David Garejeli, they laid the foundation of the monasteries of Virgin (Dodos Rka) and St. John the Baptist (Natlismtsemeli). READ MORE ->

Near the village of Gergeti, outside the town of Stephantsminda, in Georgia, lies the isolated Gergeti Trinity Church. Also called the Holy Trinity Church, it sits on top of a mountain near Mount Kazbegi, one of the highest and most beautiful peaks of Caucasus, at an elevation of 2170 meters. The Gergeti Trinity Church was built in the 14th century, and is the only cross-cupola church in Khevi province. During the invasion by Tbilisi Persians in the 18th century, precious relics from Mtskheta, including Saint Nino's Cross were brought here for safekeeping. During the Soviet era, all religious services were prohibited, but the church remained a popular tourist destination. The church is now an active establishment of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church. READ MORE ->

Part of the Hajj pilgrimage, this mosque is the largest in the world & holds up to 4 million people.-Google. Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām (The Forbidden Mosque) is the largest mosque in the world. Located in the city of Mecca, it surrounds the Kaaba, the place which Muslims worldwide turn towards while offering daily prayers and is Islam's holiest place. The mosque is also known as the Grand Mosque. The beginning of its construction dates back to the year 638, and the al-Haram mosque in Mecca, which now exists, has been known since the sixteenth century. READ MORE ->

The Church of Ayios Lazaros was built in the 9th century to house the reputed tomb of Lazarus, the man raised from the dead by Jesus. Reconstructed in the 17th century, it is the most impressive sight in the town of Larnaca. According to Greek Orthodox tradition, after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the saint came to Cyprus and was later consecrated bishop of Kition by Paul and Barnabas. Lazarus' tomb was located here in Larnaca, but during the Arab raids, the place of his burial was forgotten. The remains of Lazarus were rediscovered in 890 and briefly enshrined here before they were sent to Constantinople by Emperor Leo VI in 901. The Church of Ayios Lazaros was built in the late 9th century to house the tomb of the saint. The tomb eventually formed part of a catacomb for general use, as evidenced by several sarcophagi. (Note: An alternate legend has Lazarus and his sister Mary landing in Provence and having his tomb at the Cathédrale St-Lazare in Autun, France. This was destroyed in the Revolution, but a church in Marseilles still claims to have his head.) In 1589, the church had to be ransomed from the conquering Turks. From then until 1758, it was shared by Orthodox and Latin Catholic Christians. The church was reconstructed in the 17th century. A fire broke out in 1970, leaving the interior greatly damaged and more austere than most Cypriot churches. READ MORE ->

Originally built by the mother of Emperor Constantine in 330 AD (Construction started at 326 AD), the Church of the Holy Sepulcher commemorates the hill of crucifixion and the tomb of Christ’s burial. According to the New Testament, Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, “the place of the skull” (Matt. 27:33–35; Mark 15:22–25; John 19:17–24). This has been identified as an area of abandoned stone quarries just outside the city wall of the time. On grounds of tradition alone, this church is the best candidate for the location of these events. The Garden Tomb was not identified as the tomb of Jesus until the 19th century.

Also known as Kubbat as-Sakhra, Kubbet es Sakhra, “Mosque of Omar,” Qubbet el-Sakhra, Templum Domini. Iconic gold-topped Islamic shrine built around 690AD with huge relevance to both Christians & Jews. - Google. Built atop the earlier location of the Temple, the Dome of the Rock was erected by the Muslim ruler Abd el-Malik in 688-691. Because of its situation on bedrock, the numerous earthquakes over the centuries have not caused significant damage to the structure (unlike its neighbor Al Aqsa mosque). This shrine was covered by a lead dome from 691 until it was replaced with a gold-colored covering in the early 1960s. Because of rust, the anodized aluminum cover was again replaced in 1993 with a gold covering. READ MORE ->

Huge temple site with preserved ancient ruins & over 200 structures, including giant Amen-Ra temple.-Google. The Karnak temple complex at Luxor developed over more than 1,000 years, principally between the Twelfth and Twentieth Dynasties. It was, at its peak, the largest and most important religious complex in ancient Egypt. READ MORE ->

The Holy, Royal and Stavropegic Monastery of Kykkos (Greek:Ιερά Μονή Κύκκου), which lies 20 km west of Pedoulas, is one of the richest and best-known monasteries in Cyprus. The monastery is acknowledged under the name of Kykkos or the 'Mother of God of Kykkos”, but it is still unknown where this name derives from. According to one belief, the name 'kykkos' or 'kokkos', is related to the kermes oak (Latin 'quercus coccifera') which developed in this area a few eras ago. A different account attributed the expression 'kykkos' to a bird whose call 'kik-ko, kik-ko' became the name of the monastery. The Holy Monastery of the Virgin of Kykkos was established around the end of the 11th century by the Byzantine monarch Alexios I Komnenos (1081 - 1118).

Construction on the Bazilika was completed in 1905 after over 50 years of construction. The dome collapsed in 1868, requiring the builders to start over from the ground up. Three leading architects, two of whom died before work was finished, directed the design. After its completion, St. Stephen's was considered so sturdy that important documents and artworks were stored in it during World War II bombings. In 2002, St. Stephen's Square was remodeled as part of a new pedestrian area. In 2003, the church exterior was fully cleaned and renovated.Today, the basilica's facade overlooks the grand Szent István tér (St. Stephen's Square), a great place to enjoy coffee at open-air cafes. The church is built in a Neoclassical style with similarities to St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Over the main portal is a bust of King Stephen, Hungary's first Christian king and patron saint of the basilica. And inside the church is a reliquary with the 'Holy Right' (Szent Jobb), the preserved right hand of King Stephen. It is Hungarian Catholicism's holiest relic. Organ concerts are held at 7pm on Monday evenings from July through October. READ MORE -> ' target='_blank'>READ MORE ->

Ornate domes top this lavish Moorish-style synagogue, with a museum, cemetery & Holocaust memorial. -Google. Budapest's stunning Great Synagogue is the largest Jewish house of worship in the world outside New York City. Built in 1859, the synagogue has both Romantic and Moorish architectural elements. Inside, the Hungarian Jewish Museum & Archives contains objects relating to both religious and everyday life. On the synagogue’s north side, the Holocaust Tree of Life Memorial presides over the mass graves of those murdered by the Nazis. Inside the Neolog (or Conservative) synagogue, built per the designs of Viennese architect Ludwig Förster, don't miss the central rose window and the sumptuous organ, dating back to 1902. The Hungarian Jewish Museum includes items such as a 3rd-century Jewish headstone from Roman Pannonia, ritualistic silver and a handwritten book of the local Burial Society from the late 18th century. The leaves of the Tree of Life Memorial, designed in 1991 by Imre Varga, are inscribed with the names of some of the hundreds of thousands of victims of the Holocaust. Nearby in Goldmark Hall you'll find the Jewish Quarter Exhibition with interactive displays, video and artefacts, documenting what life was like in this area from the 18th century onward. READ MORE ->

Stockholm’s medieval Cathedral, built in 1279, houses unique objects such as the St George and the Dragon sculpture (1489), the legendary Vädersoltavlan (1535) and Lena Lervik’s sculpture ”Joseph and Mary” (2002). Since 1527, the Cathedral has been a Lutheran church. A wide range of religious services and concerts are held. The wedding of T.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel took place on Saturday, June 19, 2010 in Stockholm Cathedral. READ MORE ->

This church and monastery dedicated to St. Panteleimon is located on a very picturesque setting, just a few hundred meters below King Samuel’s fortress in Ohrid, above Lake Ohrid on an area called Plaošnik.

Legends states that when St. Clement (Sv. Kliment) arrived in Ohrid 893 A.D., by order of King Boris I of Bulgaria, Clement built a larger church on top of the foundation of an early Christian basilica and dedicated it to St. Panteleimon (1). Legend also states that St. Clement prepared his own grave inside the monastery and upon his death his disciples buried him there. After his canonization, this Church and Monastery also became known as St. Clement. The monastery served as a school, sometimes referred to as a university or academy, but mainly known as the Ohrid Literary School, where St. Clement initially taught the Glagolitic alphabet in order to further spread the word of Christianity.

The creation of Glagolithic, the oldest Slavic alphabet, is commonly attributed to two monks, brothers from Thessaloniki, named Cyril and Methodious (Kiril i Metodij). Soon they would develop the Cyrillic alphabet and this would become the language of choice for teaching and for transcribing by both St. Clement and St. Naum in their schools (2). During the Ottoman Empire, the monastery underwent different reconstructions and was turned into a mosque. Reconstruction of St. Panteleimon as it stands today began in December 2000 and was completed in August 2002

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Zica Monastery is the memorial of the Serbian king, Stefan I. The construction of the main church of the monastery, the Church of Christ’s Resurrection, started in 1206 and was finished before 1217, when Stefan received his royal crown from Rome. Zica is an important monastery for the history of Serbian people and their Church. Saint Sava, as the first archbishop of independent Serbian Church, made this monastery the center of the Church, which gained independence in 1219. Saint Sava also crowned his brother Stefan I and ordained the first bishops there. Stefan I’s heirs, his sons, Radoslav and Vladislav were crowned and the first archbishop Arsenije, Saint Sava’s successor as the Head of the Church, was ordained in the monastery. In the late 13th century the monastery was badly damaged and was renovated by King Milutin in the early 14th century. During the reign of Turks, Zica was devastated and renovated many times. Today’s appearance is a result of major restauration operations between 1925 and 1935 and in the late 1980s. By its architectural features, Zica is a Rashka style monastery. The facades are painted red, imitating the architecture of the Holy Mountain. READ MORE ->

The Studenica Monastery was established in the late 12th century by Stevan Nemanja, founder of the medieval Serb state, shortly after his abdication. It is the largest and richest of Serbia's Orthodox monasteries.

Despite being destroyed on several occasions, the Studenica monastery on the slopes of Mt. Radočelo has been treasuring some of the most beautiful medieval Serbian frescoes for over eight centuries.

Numerous believers and connoisseurs of the medieval culture visit Studenica with one goal, to see the “Crucifixion” (The Studenica Crucifixion), the fresco considered one of the most beautiful frescoes in Serbia. Byzantine blue which in the early 13th century was valued more than gold is the dominant color in the fresco. A liter of this precious paint cost several kilos of precious metal.

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13th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery founded by King Stefan Uroš I features frescoes. Frescoes of the Sopoćani monastery, which was named after the old Slavic word for spring, are world-famous masterpieces of art. The Sopoćani Monastery, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is an endowment of Serbian king Stefan Uroš I (1243-12769. The monastery was built near the source of the river Raška, 17 kilometers from the town of Novi Pazar. The endowment of the third son of King Stefan Prvovenčani surpasses all others with its beauty and grandeur. The frescoes in the monastery are a true masterpiece of art that has brought international fame to the Sopoćani monastery. Today this is one of the most important cultural monuments that was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. It can’t be said with certainty when the monastery was built but it was probably around the year of 1260. These conclusions were made based on the fact that the frescoes were painted in the 60-ties of the 13th century. The Sopoćani monastery represents an exceptional example of the Raška school. It was named after the Old Slavic word “Sopot” which means “spring”. The church has a form of the Romanesque three-nave basilica with a massive semicircular apse in the central part of the nave. READ MORE ->

In 1319 master Kakaš donated the community of Lechnica to the friars of Skala (today Kláštorisko in Slovak Paradise) who built in the nearby valley of St Anton a Carthusian monastery. Because the buildings of the monastery were built of red bricks the people began to call it Červený kláštor (Red Monastery). Červený kláštor is a unique cultural and historical relic set in the wonderful natural environment of Pieniny under the majestic mountain Tri koruny. The monastery was successfully restored in the years 1956-1966. The best building, from an architectural point of view, is the Gothic church of St Anton from the end of the 14th century with one nave of unusual length restored in the Baroque style. The main altar is in the Baroque style, built in 1745. READ MORE ->

Ancient Greek place of worship, built in the Doric style out of marble with bas relief friezes.-Google.

The temple was dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of fire and metalwork (who made the legendary shield of Achilles), and to Athena, the goddess of pottery and crafts. The temple was built in 449-415. BC. With the advent of Christianity in Greece and until 1834, it was used as an Orthodox church, which received the name of St. George.

The Temple of Hephaestus, part of the Ancient Agora is a must when you visit Athens as it is the best-preserved ancient temple in the world.

The temple has been so well preserved for centuries because from the 7th century BC until 1834 it was used as a place of worship.

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Ravanica Monastery is located about 10 km east of the town of Ćuprija, on the road going to Despotovac via the village of Senjski Rudnici. It is considered to be one of the mostimpressive buildings of the Moravska architectural style. Ravanica Monastery was built in the late 14th century, by king Lazar, who was killed in the Battle of Kosovo a couple of years after having completed the monastery. Like many Serbian medieval monasteries, Ravanica used to be heavily fortified, and the remainings of the walls can still be seen surrounding the complex. READ MORE ->

17th-century monastery & pilgrimage site dedicated to Saint Basil of Ostrog, rebuilt in the 1920s. Ostrog Monastery, a miracle built by nature and human interaction, carved almost in its entirety in a vertically positioned mountain cliff, is today the pearl of Montenegrin spirituality which is visited by more than a hundred thousand pilgrims from around the world and of travellers of all religions every year. It is one of three most visited Christian destinations on the planet with its cave-like chapel and the Monastery complex that preserves the sanctity of Saint Basil the , Orthodox Christian Saint of Miracles. READ MORE ->

The cathedral of Sant'Agata was built over the Roman Baths of Achilles at the very point where the holy martyr Agatha died in 251. The Normans began with the construction of the first cathedral in 1090 which was restored after the earthquakes 1140 and 1169 and finally completely reconstructed from scratch after the great earthquake of 1693. The architects Girolamo Palazzotto and Giovanni Battista Vaccarini, who designed the façade of the cathedral, were responsible for the construction in the Sicilian Baroque. The cathedral of Sant'Agata consists of a three-nave longitudinal building with a transept and three Norman apses made of lava rock. The apses were stripped of their baroque decorations in the 20th Century so that you can take a look at the original construction of the Norman cathedral. While Girolamo Palazzoto was responsible for the construction of the cathedral, G.B. Vaccarini completed the façade in the style of Sicilian Baroque in 1736. He used six ancient pillars which already adorned the ruined Norman cathedral. READ MORE ->

Landmark octagonal domed church is known for its elaborate, richly colored Byzantine mosaics. -Google.

The Basilica was built in the mid-6th century and is famous for the finest Byzantine mosaics (maybe - the best examples in the western world). The construction of San Vitale Basilica was initiated by Ecclesius, Bishop of Ravenna, shortly after a trip to Byzantium with Pope John in 525. The following year, Amalasuntha succeeded her father Theodoric as ruler of the Goths and of Ravenna; both rulers were Arian but she was more tolerant of Catholics than he had been. Construction on San Vitale Basilica began in 526 on the site of the martyrdom of St. Vitalis.

The church was almost entirely funded by a single wealthy individual called Julianus Argentarius. This otherwise unknown figure is thought to have been a private banker of Ravenna or perhaps a royal envoy of Justinian, sent to prepare the way for the Byzantine conquest. The Byzantines took Ravenna in 540 and the basilica that was begun under the Goths was finished under Byzantine rule, in 548. It was consecrated by Maximian, the first Archbishop of Ravenna.

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A tourist city with lineage located at the eastern shores of Siljan, which today attracts both nostalgic car lovers and music lovers. READ MORE ->

Baroque church reconsecrated in 2005 after being destroyed in World War II, with guided tours.-Google.

The site of the Cathedral was originally occupied by a three-nave Romanic church whose earliest mention dates back to 1262. After the fire of 1361 it was re-vaulted in the Gothic style. When the Ljubljana Diocese was established in 1461, the church underwent several alterations and additions. In 1469 it was burnt down, presumably by the Turks. Between 1701 and 1706, a new Baroque hall church with side chapels shaped in the form of the Latin cross was built to a design by the Jesuit architect Andrea Pozzo. READ MORE ->

Seventh-century North Africa was not the easiest place to establish a new city. It required battling Byzantines; convincing Berbers, the indigenous people of North Africa, to accept centralized Muslim rule; and persuading Middle Eastern merchants to move to North Africa. So, in 670 CE, conquering general Sidi Okba constructed a Friday Mosque (masjid-i jami` orjami`) in what was becoming Kairouan in modern-day Tunisia.

A Friday Mosque is used for communal prayers on the Muslim holy day, Friday. The mosque was a critical addition, communicating that Kairouan would become a cosmopolitan metropolis under strong Muslim control, an important distinction at this time and place.

Known as the Great Mosque of Kairouan, it is an early example of a hypostyle mosque that also reflects how pre-Islamic and eastern Islamic art and motifs were incorporated into the religious architecture of Islamic North Africa. The aesthetics signified the Great Mosque and Kairouan, and, thus, its patrons, were just as important as the religious structures, cities, and rulers of other empires in this region, and that Kairouan was part of the burgeoning Islamic empire.

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Romanesque church with an ornate marble porch & a lavishly gilded interior hung with tapestries. -Google. The rigorous Romanesque external profile contrasts with the baroque explosion you’ll find on the inside. Majestic, imposing: it’s Bergamo’s most beloved church. During the first years of 1100, a terrible plague breakout spread across Europe, causing death and desolation. That’s why the people of Bergamo decided to ask the Virgin Mary to assist them: they vowed to dedicate a church to Her if she had protected them from being infected. Being men of their word, in 1137 Bergamo’s citizens started to built the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica on the Piazza del Duomo, in the Upper Town. They actually acted big: the church turned out to be really beautiful, and it was adorned even more in the following centuries. Frescoes, stuccos, tapestries and wooden marquetry designed by the renowned artist Lorenzo Lotto decorate the inside of the building. Santa Maria Maggiore also houses the funerary monument dedicated to Gaetano Donizetti, the famous music composer, symbol and representative of Bergamo all over the world. READ MORE ->

Sénanque Abbey is a Cistercian abbey near the village of Gordes in the département of the Vaucluse in Provence, France. 12th-century Cistercian monastery with summer lavender fields & guided tours of church & cloisters.The Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque is a lovely medieval Cistercian abbey that is one of the best places to see Provence's famed lavender fields.

Founded in 1148 and once again populated by Cistercian monks, the peaceful abbey welcomes visitors and provides overnight retreats.History of Senanque Abbey Located in a wild valley just north of Gordes, the monastery was founded in 1148 when the lords of the area donated the land for a monastery. It was populated by a group of twelve Cistercian monks from the Abbey of Mazan in the Vivarais, called upon to move here by the Bishop of Cavaillon. Already in 1152 a daughter monastery was founded, at Chambons in the Vivarais. Construction on the abbey church began first, around 1150, the monks lived in simple huts in the meantime. The church was consecrated in 1178 by the Bishop of Cavaillon. Only the choir was completed at that time; work on the nave began in 1180 and continued until early in the following century. Construction of the monastic buildings, such as the dormitory and refectory, also began around 1180 and were completed by about 1250. Continued donations from local lords expanded the abbey's domains and attracted a continuous stream of new recruits. The abbey reached its high point in the 13th and early 14th centuries, when it owned four mills and large sections of land as far as Arles and Marseilles. By the 15th century, however, the abbey began to decline and fall into corruption, resulting in mismanagment of assets and a fall in recruitment.

Reform came in 1475 with a new abbot, John Casaletti from the University of Avignon, who enforced the Strict Observance of the Rule. Soon new recruits to the monastic life began to arrive again at Sénanque Abbey. His successor, Francois d'Estaing (1509-29) was the first of the commendatory abbots, all of whom carried out their duties (unlike many elsewhere). Abbot Francois, in fact, became known as the 'father of the poor' by caring for plague victims. In 1544, the medieval way of life at Sénanque came to an end when it was attacked by Waldensians during the Wars of Religion. It never regained its former importance. The property was eventually sold to the state in 1791 during the French Revolution.

The abbey was again inhabited by Cistercian monks in 1854, who set to work restoring the buildings, but in 1903 new laws against religious congregations forced the monks to leave. Monastic life resumed in 1926 but ended in 1969, after which the monks left for the Abbey of Saint-Honorat at Lérins, near Cannes. Thereafter the Abbey of Sénanque was operated indirectly by monks of Lérins as a cultural center with retreat facilities. Finally, in 1988, six Cistercian monks left Lérins to reestablish the monastic life at Sénanque Abbey.

They remain there today, following the medieval cycle of prayer, silence, study and work. The monastic way of life and upkeep of the buildings is is financed by the cultivation of lavender and honey, donations, entrance fees and sales in the gift shop.

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St. Patrick's Cathedral, Ireland’s largest church, is also one of the biggest tourist attractions in Dublin. In a well close to the cathedral, St Patrick was believed to have baptized converts from paganism to Christianity. To commemorate his visit, a small wooden church was built on the site. Later, in 1191, the present building was constructed, and St. Patrick's was raised to the status of a cathedral. St Patrick's is also notable for being the first place where Handel's “Messiah” was performed, in 1742. Another interesting fact: Jonathan Swift, the author of “Gulliver’s Travels,” who was the dean of the cathedral from 1713-45, is buried here. While this cathedral is replete with history, St. Patrick's is not, however, a museum. It's still very much a living building with services held every day of the year. There are also sung services six days a week. The choir sings two services every day during school terms - the only cathedral in Ireland or Britain to do so.

This large, prominent adobe mosque completed in 1907 showcases Sudano-Sahelian architecture.-Google. As one of the wonders of Africa, and one of the most unique religious buildings in the world, the Great Mosque of Djenné, in present-day Mali, is also the greatest achievement of Sudano-Sahelian architecture (Sudano-Sahelian refers to the Sudanian and Sahel grassland of West Africa). It is also the largest mud-built structure in the world. READ MORE ->

Located near the Djemaa el Fna, the Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakesh. It is famed especially for its magnificent minaret, the oldest of the three great Almohad minarets remaining in the world. Construction on the Koutoubia mosque began shortly after the Almohad conquest of Marrakesh, around 1150. Built on the site of an 11th-century Almoravid mosque, it was completed during the reign of Sultan Yacoub el Mansour (1184-99). Its name comes from the Arabic for 'book' (koutoub), because there was originally a book market nearby. Architect: Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur. READ MORE ->

Located in northwest Spain along the Camino de Santiago, León Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María de Regla de León) is a French-style Gothic cathedral built in the 13th century over the ruins of ancient Roman baths. A Christian community is first recorded in León in 254, but no bishop is recorded in Visigothic times. The bishopric of León was established in 860 after King Ordono conquered the city from the Moors. It was subordinate to the diocese of Toledo until 1105. The present incarnation of León Cathedral was begun by Bishop Martin Fernandez, with funds from King Alfonso the Wise, in 1255 over the ruins of 2nd-century Roman baths. Probably the finest Gothic building in Spain, León Cathedral was closely modeled on the Flamboyant Gothic royal cathedrals of France, especially Reims Cathedral and St-Denis Basilica. READ MORE ->