The Lutheran Church in Reykjavik is the fourth tallest building in Iceland. The design of the church was developed in 1937 by the architect Gudjoun Samuelson. It took 38 years to build the church. The church is located in the center of Reykjavik, and is visible from any part of the city. It has become one of the main attractions of the city and is also used as an observation tower. The architecture of temples has a very rich and controversial history, which, however, shows that it was with the construction of temples that all architectural innovations, all new styles and trends began and spread throughout the world. The majestic religious buildings of the great civilizations of the ancient world have survived to this day. And also many modern examples of amazing architecture of religious buildings appeared.
Cathedral of Las Lajas
One of the most visited temples in Colombia. Construction of the temple was completed in 1948. The neo-Gothic cathedral was built directly on a 30-meter arched bridge connecting the two sides of a deep gorge. The temple is cared for by two Franciscan communities, one Colombian, the other Ecuadorian. Thus, the Cathedral of Las Lajas became a pledge of peace and union between the two South American peoples.
Notre Dame du Haut
Concrete pilgrimage church built in 1950-55. in the French city of Ronchamp. The architect Le Corbusier, not being religious, agreed to take on the project on the condition that the Catholic Church would give him complete freedom of creative expression. Initially, the non-standard building caused violent protests from local residents, who refused to supply water and electricity to the temple, but by now tourists who come to see it have become one of the main sources of income for the Ronchans.
Jubilee Church
Or the Church of the Merciful God the Father is a community center in Rome. It was built by architect Richard Meier between 1996 and 2003 with the aim of revitalizing the lives of the area's residents. The temple was built from precast concrete on a triangular site on the border of a city park, surrounded by 10-story residential and public buildings with a population of about 30,000 residents.
St. Basil's Cathedral
The Orthodox Church is located on Red Square in Moscow. A widely known monument of Russian architecture and one of the most famous landmarks in Russia. It was built in 1555–1561 by order of Ivan the Terrible in memory of the victory over the Kazan Khanate. According to legend, the architects of the cathedral were blinded by order of Ivan the Terrible so that they could not build another similar temple.
Milan Cathedral
The world famous fourth largest church in the world is located in the very center of Milan and is its symbol. It is a late Gothic wonder that contains a forest of spiers and sculptures, marble pinnacles and columns. The white marble cathedral was built over 5 centuries.
Church of the Holy Family
The Barcelona church, built with private donations since 1882, is a famous project by Antoni Gaudí. The unusual appearance of the temple made it one of the main attractions of Barcelona. However, due to the complexity of making stone structures, the cathedral will not be completed until 2026.
Paraportiani Church
The dazzling white church is located on the Greek island of Mykonos. The temple was built in the 15th to 17th centuries and consists of five separate churches: four churches are built on the ground, and the fifth is based on these four.
Stavkirka in Borgunn
One of the oldest surviving frame churches is in Norway. No metal parts were used in the construction of the Borgund headquarters. And the number of parts that make up the church exceeds 2 thousand. The strong frame of the posts was assembled on the ground and then raised to a vertical position using long poles. The Stavkirka was built in Borgunn presumably in 1150-80.
Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Brasilia was built in the modernist style according to the design of the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer. In 1988, Oscar Niemeyer received the Pritzker Prize for his design of the Cathedral. The building consists of 16 hyperboloid columns, symbolizing hands raised to the sky. The space between the columns is covered with stained glass windows.
Grundtvig Church
Lutheran church located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is one of the most famous churches in the city and a rare example of a religious building built in the style of expressionism. The competition for designs for the future church was won in 1913 by the architect Peder Klint. Construction lasted from 1921 to 1926.
Cathedral - Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Gloriousness
This is the tallest Catholic cathedral in Latin America. Its height is 114 m + 10 m cross at the top. The shape of the cathedral was inspired by Soviet satellites. The initial design of the cathedral was proposed by Don Jaime Luis Coelho, and the cathedral was designed by the architect Jose Augusto Bellucci. The cathedral was built between July 1959 and May 1972
Church of Consolation
Located in the Spanish city of Cordoba. The still young church was designed by the architectural bureau Vicens + Ramos last year according to all the rules of strict minimalist canons. The only deviation from the strictly white color is the golden wall where the altar used to be.
The cave church, entirely carved into the rocks, is located in the Ethiopian city of Lalibela. The building is a cross 25 by 25 meters and goes underground for the same amount. This miracle was created in the 13th century by order of King Lalibela, according to legend, over a period of 24 years. There are a total of 11 temples in Lalibela, completely carved out of the rocks and connected by tunnels.
St Joseph's Church
St. Joseph's Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Chicago was built in 1956. Known throughout the world for its 13 golden domes, symbolizing the 12 apostles and Jesus Christ.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Tears
The cathedral, shaped like a concrete tent, rises above the Italian city of Syracuse. In the middle of the last century, an elderly couple lived on the site of the cathedral, who had a statuette of the Madonna. One day the figurine began to “cry” human tears, and pilgrims from all over the world flocked to the city. A huge cathedral was built in her honor, perfectly visible from anywhere in the city.
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira
The Cathedral of Zipaquira in Colombia is carved into solid salt rock. A dark tunnel leads to the altar. The height of the cathedral is 23 m, the capacity is over 10 thousand people. Historically, there was a mine in this place, used by the Indians to obtain salt. When this was no longer necessary, a temple appeared on the site of the mine.
United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel
Located in Colorado on the territory of a military camp and training base of a branch of the US Air Force pilot academy. The monumental profile of the chapel building is created by seventeen rows of steel frames, ending in peaks at a height of about fifty meters. The building is divided into three levels, and services of the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish denominations are held in its halls.
St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery
One of the oldest monasteries in Kyiv. Includes the Newly Built St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral, a refectory with the Church of St. John the Evangelist and a bell tower. It is assumed that St. Michael's Cathedral was the first temple with a gilded top, where this unique tradition originated in Rus'.
Chapel of the Crown of Thorns
The wooden chapel is located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA. The chapel was erected in 1980 according to the design of architect E. Fay Jones. The chapel is light and airy and has a total of 425 windows.
Arctic Cathedral
Lutheran Church in the Norwegian city of Tromsø. According to the architect's idea, the exterior of the building, consisting of two merging triangular structures covered with aluminum plates, should evoke an association with an iceberg.
Painted Church in Arbor
Painted churches are the most famous architectural landmarks of Moldova. The churches are decorated with frescoes both outside and inside. Each of these temples is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Mosque in Tirana
A project for a cultural center in the Albanian capital Tirana, which will include a mosque, an Islamic cultural center and a Museum of Religious Harmony. The international competition for the project was won last year by the Danish architectural bureau BIG.
Farmers' Chapel
The concrete chapel on the edge of a field near the German town of Mechernich was built by local farmers in honor of their patron saint, Bruder Claus.
Inflatable Church
Dutch philosopher Frank Los came up with an inflatable Transparent Church, which can be erected in any corner of the globe and under any conditions: at festivals, private parties and other public events. The inflatable church easily fits in the trunk of a car and, when disassembled, can accommodate about 30 parishioners.
The architecture of temples has a very rich and controversial history, which, however, shows that it was with the construction of temples that all architectural innovations, all new styles and trends began and spread throughout the world.
The majestic religious buildings of the great civilizations of the ancient world have survived to this day. And also many modern examples of amazing architecture of religious buildings appeared.Hallgrimskirkja
The Lutheran Church in Reykjavik is the fourth tallest building in Iceland. The design of the church was developed in 1937 by the architect Gudjoun Samuelson. It took 38 years to build the church. The church is located in the center of Reykjavik, and is visible from any part of the city. It has become one of the main attractions of the city and is also used as an observation tower.
Chesme Church
Or the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist - an active Orthodox church in St. Petersburg, located on Lensoveta Street, an architectural monument in the pseudo-Gothic style. The church building was built to commemorate the victory of the Russian fleet over the Turkish in the Chesme Bay of the Aegean Sea in 1770
Cathedral of Las Lajas
One of the most visited temples in Colombia. Construction of the temple was completed in 1948. The neo-Gothic cathedral was built directly on a 30-meter arched bridge connecting the two sides of a deep gorge. The temple is cared for by two Franciscan communities, one Colombian, the other Ecuadorian. Thus, the Cathedral of Las Lajas became a pledge of peace and union between the two South American peoples.
Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple is located near the city of New Delhi in India. Construction was carried out from 1978 to 1986, largely at the expense of imprisoned Baha'is of Iran. The architect is Canadian Fariborz Sahba.
Notre Dame du Haut
Concrete pilgrimage church built in 1950-55. in the French city of Ronchamp. The architect Le Corbusier, not being religious, agreed to take on the project on the condition that the Catholic Church would give him complete freedom of creative expression. Initially, the non-standard building caused violent protests from local residents, who refused to supply water and electricity to the temple, but by now tourists who come to see it have become one of the main sources of income for the Ronchans.
Jubilee Church
Or the Church of the Merciful God the Father is a community center in Rome. It was built by architect Richard Meier in 1996-2003 with the aim of revitalizing the lives of residents of the area. The temple was built from precast concrete on a triangular site on the border of a city park, surrounded by 10-story residential and public buildings with a population of about 30,000 residents.
St. Basil's Cathedral
The Orthodox Church is located on Red Square in Moscow. A widely known monument of Russian architecture and one of the most famous landmarks in Russia. It was built in 1555–1561 by order of Ivan the Terrible in memory of the victory over the Kazan Khanate. According to legend, the architects of the cathedral were blinded by order of Ivan the Terrible so that they could not build another similar temple.
Milan Cathedral
The world famous fourth largest church in the world is located in the very center of Milan and is its symbol. It is a late Gothic wonder that contains a forest of spiers and sculptures, marble pinnacles and columns. The white marble cathedral was built over 5 centuries.
Kailash Temple
The Kailash Hindu Temple, carved entirely out of rock, is located in India, Maharashtra state. The architectural feats of the Indian builders involved in the creation of the Kailash Temple are staggering. Work began in the 8th century and continued for more than 100 years. As a result, the structure occupies an area twice as large as the Parthenon of Athens in Greece. It is one of the largest temples in the world, rivaling even the Taj Mahal in Agra. It rises more than 30 meters and almost its entire surface is covered with intricate carvings.
Church of the Holy Family
The Barcelona church, built with private donations since 1882, is a famous project by Antoni Gaudí. The unusual appearance of the temple made it one of the main attractions of Barcelona. However, due to the complexity of making stone structures, the cathedral will not be completed until 2026.
Paraportiani Church
The dazzling white church is located on the Greek island of Mykonos. The temple was built in the 15th to 17th centuries and consists of five separate churches: four churches are built on the ground, and the fifth is based on these four.
Stavkirka in Borgunn
One of the oldest surviving frame churches is in Norway. No metal parts were used in the construction of the Borgund headquarters. And the number of parts that make up the church exceeds 2 thousand. The strong frame of the posts was assembled on the ground and then raised to a vertical position using long poles. The Stavkirka was built in Borgunn presumably in 1150-80.
Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Brasilia was built in the modernist style according to the design of the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer. In 1988, Oscar Niemeyer received the Pritzker Prize for his design of the Cathedral. The building consists of 16 hyperboloid columns, symbolizing hands raised to the sky. The space between the columns is covered with stained glass windows.
Grundtvig Church
Lutheran church located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is one of the most famous churches in the city and a rare example of a religious building built in the style of expressionism. The competition for designs for the future church was won in 1913 by the architect Peder Klint. Construction lasted from 1921 to 1926.
Cathedral - Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Gloriousness
This is the tallest Catholic cathedral in Latin America. Its height is 114 m + 10 m cross at the top. The shape of the cathedral was inspired by Soviet satellites. The initial design of the cathedral was proposed by Don Jaime Luis Coelho, and the cathedral was designed by the architect Jose Augusto Bellucci. The cathedral was built between July 1959 and May 1972.
Church of Consolation
Located in the Spanish city of Cordoba. The still young church was designed by the architectural bureau Vicens + Ramos last year according to all the rules of strict minimalist canons. The only deviation from the strictly white color is the golden wall where the altar used to be.
Church of St. George
The cave church, entirely carved into the rocks, is located in the Ethiopian city of Lalibela. The building is a cross 25 by 25 meters and goes underground for the same amount. This miracle was created in the 13th century by order of King Lalibela, according to legend, over a period of 24 years. There are a total of 11 temples in Lalibela, entirely carved out of the rocks and connected by tunnels.
St Joseph's Church
St. Joseph's Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Chicago was built in 1956. Known throughout the world for its 13 golden domes, symbolizing the 12 apostles and Jesus Christ.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Tears
The cathedral, shaped like a concrete tent, rises above the Italian city of Syracuse. In the middle of the last century, an elderly couple lived on the site of the cathedral, who had a statuette of the Madonna. One day the figurine began to “cry” human tears, and pilgrims from all over the world flocked to the city. A huge cathedral was built in her honor, perfectly visible from anywhere in the city.
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira
The Cathedral of Zipaquira in Colombia is carved into solid salt rock. A dark tunnel leads to the altar. The height of the cathedral is 23 m, the capacity is over 10 thousand people. Historically, there was a mine in this place, used by the Indians to obtain salt. When this was no longer necessary, a temple appeared on the site of the mine.
United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel
Located in Colorado on the territory of a military camp and training base of a branch of the US Air Force pilot academy. The monumental profile of the chapel building is created by seventeen rows of steel frames, ending in peaks at a height of about fifty meters. The building is divided into three levels, and services of the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish denominations are held in its halls.
St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery
One of the oldest monasteries in Kyiv. Includes the Newly Built St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral, a refectory with the Church of St. John the Evangelist and a bell tower. It is assumed that St. Michael's Cathedral was the first temple with a gilded top, where this unique tradition originated in Rus'.
Chapel of the Crown of Thorns
The wooden chapel is located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA. The chapel was erected in 1980 according to the design of architect E. Fay Jones. The chapel is light and airy and has a total of 425 windows.
Arctic Cathedral
Lutheran Church in the Norwegian city of Tromsø. According to the architect's idea, the exterior of the building, consisting of two merging triangular structures covered with aluminum plates, should evoke an association with an iceberg.
Painted Church in Arbor
Painted churches are the most famous architectural landmarks of Moldova. The churches are decorated with frescoes both outside and inside. Each of these temples is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Mosque in Tirana
A project for a cultural center in the Albanian capital Tirana, which will include a mosque, an Islamic cultural center and a Museum of Religious Harmony. The international competition for the project was won last year by the Danish architectural bureau BIG.
Church of the Transfiguration on Kizhi Island
The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord on the island of Kizhi in Karelia is the nanotechnology of wooden architecture, the apogee of carpentry art. The church was founded in 1714 and is part of the architectural ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The basis of the composition of the structure is an octagonal frame - “octagon” - with four two-stage sections located at the cardinal points. Two more octagonal frames of smaller sizes were placed in succession on the lower octagon. The church frame was cut in the traditions of Russian carpentry - without nails. There are nails only in the domes.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The snow-white marble Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the six largest mosques in the world, is located in Abu Dhabi. It was opened in 2007, and since March 2008, tours of the mosque are available to everyone, not just Muslims. The mosque has the world's largest carpet and the largest chandelier.
Farmers' Chapel
The concrete chapel on the edge of a field near the German town of Mechernich was built by local farmers in honor of their patron saint, Bruder Claus.
Dutch philosopher Frank Los came up with an inflatable Transparent Church, which can be erected in any corner of the globe and under any conditions: at festivals, private parties and other public events. The inflatable church easily fits in the trunk of a car and, when disassembled, can accommodate about 30 parishioners.
Beautiful temples have more than just religious significance. They are distinguished by their amazing beauty and originality, and are true masterpieces of architecture. These structures surprise others with their majestic and divine appearance. Their diversity and interesting design are truly delightful. This list includes only the most beautiful temples in the world, which deserve the attention of every connoisseur of beautiful architecture.
1. Sagrada Familia Cathedral
Sagrada Familia can deservedly bear the title of the most beautiful temple in the world. This is an amazing building in the heart of Barcelona. The author of such a beautiful creation is a famous architect named Antonio Gaudi. The bizarre shapes and architectural reliefs of the structure evoke sincere delight among local residents and tourists. Inside the cathedral you can see a lot of decor in the form of paintings, stucco moldings and mosaics. Beautiful sculptures and towers harmoniously complement the building. Free excursions are regularly held here for guests who wish to personally familiarize themselves with all the features of this building. While inside the Sagrada Familia, you can feel the whole atmosphere of Biblical times.
2. Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood- one of the most beautiful churches of Orthodoxy, located in the city of St. Petersburg. The building is decorated in Russian style using Italian marble and other semi-precious stones. The decor is made in a theatrical style, which is why the church looks like a carved box of gems. Many additional details and multi-colored finishing materials give the temple a special appeal, and the sparkling mosaics and tiles of different colors add originality and uniqueness. The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood can confidently be called an incomparable example of mosaic architecture, because it is this direction of art that is used in the process of decorating the facades, which gives the temple a festive appearance. Historians rightly call it a monument of world significance.
3. Santa Maria del Fiore
Continues the list of the most beautiful temples in the world Santa Maria del Fiore. This cathedral is a magnificent landmark in Florence. The architecture of the unique building harmoniously combines natural marble of three shades, which makes it unique. The Gothic style in which the building was erected gives the impression of antiquity and nobility. The interior design is quite strict. The decoration of the facade is a statue of the Mother of God with a baby in her arms and a delicate lily flower. Particular attention is drawn to antique clocks whose hands move in the opposite direction.
4. Crystal Mosque
Among the ten most beautiful temples in the world Crystal Mosque in Malaysia. It consists of different minarets in the form of neat structures covered with mirror glass. Thanks to this, during the daytime the mosque shimmers in the sun’s rays, and at night it shines with the lights of a specially created illumination. This amount of glass perfectly transmits light and creates a favorable atmosphere for prayer. The Crystal Mosque is deservedly called one of the most unusual in the whole world. In addition, it has modern equipment, such as the Internet and Wi-Fi, which is greatly appreciated not only by local residents, but also by tourists.
5. Notre Dame de Paris
In the very heart of France there is a well-known beautiful Catholic church called Notre Dame de Paris. During its construction, Romanesque and Gothic styles were used, harmoniously filling the environment with grace and monumentality. The interior design of the room is so magnificent that royal weddings, luxurious funeral ceremonies, and imperial coronations were often held here in the past. It is in this cathedral that the Crown of Thorns of Jesus Christ, which is a great relic of Christians, has been kept for many years. The territory of this temple can simultaneously accommodate 9 thousand parishioners.
6. Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque– one of the most beautiful Muslim temples in the world. The mosque is located in Istanbul and consists of six minarets. It got its name thanks to its beautiful blue finish. Currently, the building surprises with its scale, as well as its original architecture. Here you can see a large central dome, complemented by voluminous columns and cascades. The interior is made in light colors, among which white, blue and blue colors dominate. The walls of the temple are decorated with handmade ceramic tiles, which go perfectly with lamps and carpets. Each dome here is painted with quotes taken from the Koran. The presence of a large number of windows makes the mosque bright and cozy.
7. St. Basil's Cathedral
St. Basil's Cathedral- the most famous and beautiful temple in Russia, which is also known as the Intercession Cathedral. It is rightfully considered a symbol of Moscow. The cathedral was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its unique architecture. It features eight different churches with beautiful onion-shaped domes. There is even a legend that after the completion of construction, Ivan the Terrible deprived the masters of their sight so that they would not have the opportunity to create another such masterpiece.
8. Golden Temple in Amritsar
This building, considered the main shrine of India, could not fail to be included in the top 10 most beautiful temples. Ancient Golden Temple was erected in the “lake of immortality”, which Ram Das himself chose. One day he had a vision in which he saw a temple shimmering with lights, after which he decided to make it a reality. People come here to cleanse themselves of sins and get closer to God. The exterior of the beautiful temple resembles a white and gold lotus flower as the upper part of the building is covered with gold and the lower part is covered with marble.
9. Akshardham Temple
An incredibly beautiful temple called Akshardham is a large-scale complex that is not only religious in nature, but also scientific and cultural. Here is the temple itself, a large garden, and also a research center. The main decoration of Akshardham is the gilded statue of God Shvaminarayan, whose height is two meters. In the garden you can see a beautiful waterfall, lake and attractions, which gives the atmosphere a certain modernity and comfort. The research center includes a library, a historical archive and a study area. In addition, there are several interesting exhibitions on Indian themes on its territory. Almost two million tourists come here every year to see all the features of this attraction.
10. Milan Cathedral
Witnesses of history, guardians of culture, works of art - ancient churches of Russia. They survived the Mongol-Tatar yoke, wars and years of persecution. About the most ancient and unusual ones - in the material “My Planet”.
Nizhny Arkhyz: temples of medieval Alanya
We are already talking about the oldest church in the Russian state - St. Sophia Cathedral in Veliky Novgorod, built in the middle of the 11th century. But on the territory of modern Russia there are religious buildings erected even earlier, before the baptism of Rus', for example, the churches of Nizhny Arkhyz in Karachay-Cherkessia. It is believed that here was the capital of medieval Alanya, whose inhabitants converted to Christianity back in 912.
Around the same time, the largest and most majestic Northern Church, dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, was built - the cathedral church of the Alan diocese. The building is made of large sandstone slabs held together with durable lime mortar. Services were held in it and local residents were baptized: in the corner they found a cubic tank made of stone slabs - the only baptismal center in the North Caucasus.
Later, a small Southern (Ilyinskaya) church appeared nearby, which still operates to this day, and next to it you can see the Arkhyz face - a rock image of Christ.
Kerch: the oldest functioning church
In the center of Kerch stands a temple with a long and difficult history - the Church of John the Baptist in the Byzantine style. It is not known exactly when the church was built: historians date it back to the 9th, 8th and even 6th centuries. Since then, the foundation, columns and paved courtyard where the stone slab with the imprint of the foot of St. Andrew the First-Called. Later, the church was rebuilt by Russian princes; under the Polovtsians, it stood in disrepair, and during Turkish rule it was a mosque. During Soviet times, the Church of John the Baptist was closed; during the war, it was badly damaged by fire, but then it was restored and is now considered the oldest functioning Orthodox church in Russia.
The temple's design features helped it survive through centuries and trials: the cross-domed building is reinforced with columns, and the masonry of the walls alternates rows of white stone and red brick - this “layer cake” ensures the stability of the structure.
Vladimir: the cathedral as a symbol of unity
Construction of the white-stone Assumption Cathedral began in the 12th century, under Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. According to the ruler’s plan, the cathedral was to become the main temple of the strongest principality - Vladimir-Suzdal Rus', a symbol of the unity of the Russian lands. Therefore, the work was carried out on a grand scale, and the grandiose structure surpassed the St. Sophia Cathedrals of Kyiv and Novgorod in height. The church is also not inferior to them in luxury and splendor: the walls are painted with frescoes, the floor is covered with colored mosaics and gilded slabs, gold and silver chandeliers shine under the arches.
The cathedral burned and was reborn from the ashes more than once. The worst fire happened in 1238, when Batu Khan invaded Vladimir. The townspeople who had locked themselves in the temple died in the smoke, all the church relics were looted, the paintings were damaged by fire, but the temple survived and was restored more than a hundred years later. It was then, at the beginning of the 15th century, The cathedral was painted by Andrei Rublev, and this is one of the few churches where you can see frescoes by the famous icon painter.
During the filming of Andrei Tarkovsky's film about Rublev in 1966, the fire recurred - the rafters of the church caught fire from smoke bombs, but they were quickly extinguished. More recently, another film was filmed in the temple, the plot of which is related to the Rublev frescoes - “Fairy” by Anna Melikyan.
Kostomarovo: underground church
There are many cave temples in the Don steppes of the Voronezh region, and the largest and most ancient is the Spassky Cathedral of the monastery of the same name near the village of Kostomarovo. The church is carved into fancy chalk pillars - “divas”, the origin of which still remains a mystery.
The monks began building the temple in the 12th century; work continued intermittently for several centuries. The result was a huge underground cathedral that could accommodate 2,000 people. The outside is decorated with colorful domes and mosaic icons, the bell tower is set between two “divas,” and the inside walls are covered with frescoes carved directly into the chalk rock. Nearby, in the slope of a chalk hill, the cells of hermit monks are hollowed out - narrow and cramped rooms with walls green from dampness. And the most severe place of the monastery is the Cave of Repentance: a long dark corridor leads to a small cell intended for confession. Before the revolution, the most desperate sinners were sent here, but now pilgrims from all over Russia go to the Cave of Repentance.
Eski-Kermen: temple in a rock
The most unusual structure of the Crimean cave city of Eski-Kermen is a miniature church carved into a round limestone block in the 12th century. The temple occupies This is 5.5 m long and 3.5 m wide. Two entrances and a small window are carved into a huge boulder, and almost half of the internal space is occupied by an altar. On the northern wall there is a single fresco with a rare subject, which gave the name to the temple. It depicts three horsemen in flowing cloaks: in the center is St. George the Victorious, slaying a dragon with a spear, on the right and left are horsemen with spears, and behind one of them sits a child. Perhaps these are images of local heroes buried here - two graves were carved into the floor of the church, and the city necropolis was located around it. According to another version, the fresco depicts Saint George in three faces: protector, dragon slayer and savior.
Kizhi: the oldest wooden church
The oldest wooden temple that has come down to us is the Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus in Karelia. According to legend, it was cut down in the 14th century, during the life of the founder of the Murom monastery, the Greek monk Lazarus.
This is the simplest and most ancient type of wooden temple - the cage one. It resembles an ordinary hut, has no external decorations and consists of three log cabins connected together. The dimensions are also modest: the total length of the church is about 9 m, the width is 3.6 m. The antiquity of the temple is indicated by archaic elements, for example, doors without hinges and glass windows - narrow slits that were covered (covered) from the inside with a board. After the death of Lazarus, the church became an object of worship and pilgrimage; it was considered a “healer of illnesses.”
In the 19th century, a wooden protective case was built over the temple, and in 1959 it was transported to the island of Kizhi, restored and installed at the foot of the famous Transfiguration Cathedral.
Veliky Novgorod: a masterpiece of medieval architecture
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Frescoes by Theophanes the Greek |
Ilyin Street in Veliky Novgorod leads to a snow-white church of rare beauty - the Church of the Transfiguration, or Savior on Ilyin. It is not as majestic and ancient as Sophia of Novgorod, but it is also included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list and is no less famous: This is the only church in the world where the frescoes of Theophanes the Greek have been preserved.
The Byzantine icon painter painted the temple at the end of the 14th century; frescoes of the dome, drum and Trinity chapel have survived to this day - bright, expressive images of Christ, angels and Old Testament heroes. The outside of the temple is no less expressive than the inside: strict proportions, simplicity of lines, lace facade decoration. The church was built with funds from the residents of Ilinaya Street during the heyday of the Novgorod Republic and became one of the most perfect examples of architecture of that time.
Alexandrov: the first stone tented temple
For a long time, the Ascension Church in Kolomenskoye was considered the oldest stone tented church. But in the 90s of the 20th century, a version appeared that the more modest and less famous Church of the Intercession in Alexandrov was built about 20 years earlier, in the 1510s. The house temple of the Russian tsars was erected by the Italian architect Aleviz Novy, combining Renaissance techniques and local traditions: the stone building is reminiscent of ancient Russian wooden tent churches. But the tent painted with a plot is the only one in Russia. On its inner surface are depicted biblical kings, prophets and Russian princes, canonized.
Ivan the Terrible prayed in this home church, Adjacent to the temple were the royal chambers, erected at the same time. Giant cellars were dug under the chambers - according to legend, untold riches are stored there, for example, the mysteriously disappeared library of Ivan the Terrible. You can learn about the secrets of the ancient church on an excursion - the temple is part of the Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda museum-reserve and is open to the public.
There are a great many ancient temples in the world: colorful, amazing, shrouded in mysterious stories and legends. Pilgrims and tourists come to them - for help, to quench curiosity, for expressions of admiration that have been preserved for hundreds of years. We will present to you the ten most famous cathedrals that captivated people with their beauty and complex history of construction.
1
The walls of this cathedral were erected at the beginning of the 4th century, at a time when Byzantium was ruled by Constantine I. After the Turks captured Constantinople in 1453, the temple was supplemented with several more minarets, which later allowed it to become a world-famous museum.
2
This temple was erected in the 4th century. The construction site was not chosen by chance: it is believed that it was here that Christ was executed. Throughout its existence, the temple has survived fires, destruction, and reconstruction.
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Masjid al-Haram is considered the main Muslim shrine and it is. It was built in the 7th century around the Kaaba, where, according to legend, Adam erected the first of all sanctuaries existing on earth. According to the instructions of the Prophet Muhammad, all Muslims now turn their prayers to this mosque.
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The ancient temple of Notre-Dame de Paris took a very long time to build: its walls began to be laid in 1163, and were completed almost 200 years later. The cathedral houses an amazing Christian relic. We are talking about the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus during his execution.
This temple is considered the center of the entire Catholic world. Its history begins during the reign of Emperor Nero, who carried out public executions here. Another ruler, Constantine, erected a basilica on this site, and Pope Nicholas V in 1452 built the current temple here, striking in its size.
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The mosque, erected in memory of Shah Jahan's mad love for his wife, who died during childbirth, amazes with its impeccable beauty. Feelings frozen in white stone are constantly “changing”: the translucent marble from which the walls are built colors them in different shades depending on the lighting.
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The Mykonos Temple consists of 365 churches. Perhaps that is why this architectural structure is considered one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world. The severity and modesty of the temple is “diluted” by its frame: the transparent blue sea that replaces the walls of the cathedral, and the bottomless blue sky that serves as its dome.
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This is the only cathedral whose construction has not yet been completed. After completion of construction, it will be 170 meters. Antonio Gaudi built the walls of the temple for 40 years, but still did not manage to bring the matter to its logical conclusion. The approximate completion date for the construction of the cathedral is 2026, but even the townspeople do not believe in this, calling the temple a building that will never be completed.
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The Great Russian Temple was built during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Today it is also known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin. It is 65 meters high and has eleven domes of various colors and shapes.
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Las Lajas was built on the bridge at Nariño, overlooking Guaitara. This was done so that the temple would help protect these places from mystical forces. An amazing fact: the composition of the paint that soaked the stones to the very foundation cannot be identified by any scientist.