10 impressive religious objects from around the world (11 photos)

There are sacred and religious sites on earth that defy reality. They are true architectural marvels embedded in breathtaking natural landscapes. In this post, you will see mind-blowing structures that man has created in his quest to get closer to the divine.





1. Panagia Sumela Monastery, Turkey



Sumela Monastery is located in the Turkish Altındere Valley National Park on a chalk cliff at an altitude of 300 meters. It is believed that it was founded by two monks: Barnabiy and Saphronius. The nearest major city with an international airport is Trabzon. It is located 50 kilometers from the Altındere Valley National Park.

2. St. Gildas Chapel, France





St. Gildas Chapel is an incredible structure that is completely located under a huge granite rock and is surrounded by a stunning landscape that gives a unique sense of peace. It was originally a sacred place of the Druids. According to legend, St. Gildas, who spread Christianity among the Celts, preached here starting in 540 AD.

3. Sacra di San Michele, Italy



Sacra di San Michele or the Abbey of San Michele is a religious complex built on Monte Pirciriano at the entrance to the Val di Susa valley. The abbey was built in honor of the chief commander of the heavenly forces - Archangel Michael. From the 12th to the 15th centuries, the complex was one of the main centers of the Benedictine order in Italy.

4. Fanjingshan Temples, China



These ancient Buddhist temples are located on a rocky spur in the Wuling Mountains and look unreal. To reach them, you need to walk more than 8,000 steps, about four hours. The top of the mountain is called the "Golden Peak." The temples are on separate cliffs, separated by a narrow gorge, which can be crossed by an arched stone bridge in the shape of a dragon.

5. Madonna de Idris, Italy



This amazing church, carved into the rock and located among the ancient "stones of Matera", is over 800 years old. The stone church, which houses part of an earlier medieval cemetery cut into the rocky shore of a natural shelter, was built in the late Middle Ages and was originally dedicated to the Virgin of Godegria, Saint Mary of Idris.

6. Marble Mountains Caves and Temples, Vietnam



The Marble Mountains are located about 25 kilometers from Hoi An on the road to Da Nang. They stand in a religious and mystical place rich in marble. Each of these mountains is a symbol of one of the five natural elements: earth, water, fire, metal and wood. Climbing to the top of each relief, you can admire and explore natural caves, gorges, small valleys and religious shrines in which you can meditate and practice yoga, among huge marble statues of Buddha, located in small ravines between the rocks.

7. Yamadera Temple, Japan



The Buddhist temple Rishaku-ji, also known as Yamadera Temple, is located northeast of Yamagata City in Yamagata Prefecture. Due to its historical value and the beauty of its surrounding landscape, it is considered one of Japan's national treasures. To reach the temple, you need to climb 1,110 steps.

8. Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral, Colombia



This stunning cathedral is located in the Zipaquirá salt mines in Sabana de Bogotá and has been the first wonder of Colombia since 2007. Dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, it contains a rich collection of salt and marble sculptures.

9. The Golden Temple of Mount Laojun, China



Its pavilion with a gold-painted roof sits atop one of the peaks of Mount Laojun, the highest of the Funiu Mountains, at an altitude of 2,217 meters.

10. The Temple of the Atonement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Barcelona



The Temple of the Sacred Heart in Barcelona is located on Mount Tibidabo. This is the highest point of the city 512 meters. At the end of the 19th century, the Catholic Committee decided to build a church there. In 1886, a small chapel was built, and in 1902, the construction of the temple began, completed by 1961.