Wat Rong Khun
Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai, Thailand is unlike any Buddhist temples in the world. The all-white, highly ornate structure gilded in mosaic mirrors that seem to shine magically, is done in a distinctly contemporary style. It is the brainchild of renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat
Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai, Thailand is unlike any Buddhist temples in the world. The all-white, highly ornate structure gilded in mosaic mirrors that seem to shine magically, is done in a distinctly contemporary style. It is the brainchild of renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat
Notre Dame Cathedral
"Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris...was seminal in the evolution of the French Gothic style. It is 110 ft high—the first cathedral built on a truly monumental scale. With its compact, cruciform plan, its sexpartite vaulting, flying buttresses and vastly enlarged windows, it became a prototype for future French cathedrals."
"Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris...was seminal in the evolution of the French Gothic style. It is 110 ft high—the first cathedral built on a truly monumental scale. With its compact, cruciform plan, its sexpartite vaulting, flying buttresses and vastly enlarged windows, it became a prototype for future French cathedrals."
John Julius Norwich, ed. Great Architecture of the World. p116.
Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral is the greatest Norman building in England, perhaps even in Europe. It is cherished not only for its architecture but also for its incomparable setting.
Durham Cathedral is the greatest Norman building in England, perhaps even in Europe. It is cherished not only for its architecture but also for its incomparable setting.
Saint Marcus' Basilica
Is the Venice's cathedral and surely the most important church of the city. The Basilica has deep Oriental influences in its structure and decorations. These art peculiarities often make the Venetian style even more puculiar. The church inside is extremely evocative because of its mosaics and the large round spaces. Outside, the beautiful domes have a peculiar charm. Their shape are typical of Venice skyline.
Is the Venice's cathedral and surely the most important church of the city. The Basilica has deep Oriental influences in its structure and decorations. These art peculiarities often make the Venetian style even more puculiar. The church inside is extremely evocative because of its mosaics and the large round spaces. Outside, the beautiful domes have a peculiar charm. Their shape are typical of Venice skyline.
Milan Cathedral
The cathedral is white marble, over a brick core, and has a cruciform plan. One of the largest cathedrals in the world it was designed to accommodate 40,000 worshippers.
The cathedral is white marble, over a brick core, and has a cruciform plan. One of the largest cathedrals in the world it was designed to accommodate 40,000 worshippers.
St. Sofia Cathedral
St. Sofia Cathedral is the world famous historical and architectural monument of the first half of the 11th century. The name of the cathedral comes from Greek word "sofia", which means "wisdom".
St. Sofia Cathedral is the world famous historical and architectural monument of the first half of the 11th century. The name of the cathedral comes from Greek word "sofia", which means "wisdom".
Moldovita Convent, Romania
The first monastery erected on the site was the one built by Alexander the Kind-Hearted (1400-1432), between 1402 and 1410, but it collapsed at the beginning of the 16th century because of the very heavy rains and ground sliding; its ruins can still be seen today.
The first monastery erected on the site was the one built by Alexander the Kind-Hearted (1400-1432), between 1402 and 1410, but it collapsed at the beginning of the 16th century because of the very heavy rains and ground sliding; its ruins can still be seen today.
Varanasi (Ganges river)
Varanasi in India is not a temple, but ais ctually a famous Hindu holy city, located at the banks of the Ganges River. It is, however, often called the "City of Temples," where almost every road crossing has a nearby temple. A center of pilgrimage (as many as a million pilgrims visit Varanasi each year), the city has links to Buddhism and Jainism as well.
Varanasi in India is not a temple, but ais ctually a famous Hindu holy city, located at the banks of the Ganges River. It is, however, often called the "City of Temples," where almost every road crossing has a nearby temple. A center of pilgrimage (as many as a million pilgrims visit Varanasi each year), the city has links to Buddhism and Jainism as well.
Vishnu Temple of Srirangam
The Temple of Srirangam, in the Indian city of Tiruchirapalli (or Trichy), is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world.The temple is dedicated to Vishnu, one of three Gods in Hinduism.
The Temple of Srirangam, in the Indian city of Tiruchirapalli (or Trichy), is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world.The temple is dedicated to Vishnu, one of three Gods in Hinduism.
Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple
Potala Palace, built on top of the Red Mountain in Lhasa, Tibet, China was built by the first emperor of Tibet in 637 CE. The current palace was re-constructed in the mid-1600s by the fifth Dalai Lama.
Potala Palace, built on top of the Red Mountain in Lhasa, Tibet, China was built by the first emperor of Tibet in 637 CE. The current palace was re-constructed in the mid-1600s by the fifth Dalai Lama.
Golden Temple
The Harmandir Sahib (meaning The Abode of God) or simply the Golden Temple in Punjab, India is the most sacred shrine of Sikhism. For the Sikhs, the Golden Temple symbolizes infinite freedom and spiritual independence.Construction of the Golden Temple began in the 1500s, when the fourth Guru of Sikhism enlarged the lake that became Amritsar or Pool of the Nectar of Immortality, around which the temple and the city grew. The Temple itself is decorated with marble sculptures, gilded in gold, and covered in precious stones.
The Harmandir Sahib (meaning The Abode of God) or simply the Golden Temple in Punjab, India is the most sacred shrine of Sikhism. For the Sikhs, the Golden Temple symbolizes infinite freedom and spiritual independence.Construction of the Golden Temple began in the 1500s, when the fourth Guru of Sikhism enlarged the lake that became Amritsar or Pool of the Nectar of Immortality, around which the temple and the city grew. The Temple itself is decorated with marble sculptures, gilded in gold, and covered in precious stones.
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is a Taoist temple in Beijing, the capital of China. The temple was constructed in 14th century by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (who also built the Forbidden City) as his personal temple, where he would pray for good harvest and to atone for the sins of his people.
The Temple of Heaven is a Taoist temple in Beijing, the capital of China. The temple was constructed in 14th century by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (who also built the Forbidden City) as his personal temple, where he would pray for good harvest and to atone for the sins of his people.
Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched precariously on the edge of a 3,000-feet-high cliff in Paro Valley, is one of the holiest places in Bhutan. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche , the second Buddha, flew onto the cliff on the back of a tigress, and then meditated in a cave which now exists within the monastery walls.
Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched precariously on the edge of a 3,000-feet-high cliff in Paro Valley, is one of the holiest places in Bhutan. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche , the second Buddha, flew onto the cliff on the back of a tigress, and then meditated in a cave which now exists within the monastery walls.
Prambanan
Prambanan is a Hindu temple in Central Java, Indonesia. The temple was built in 850 CE, and is composed of 8 main shrines and 250 surrounding smaller ones.
Prambanan is a Hindu temple in Central Java, Indonesia. The temple was built in 850 CE, and is composed of 8 main shrines and 250 surrounding smaller ones.
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat was built in the early 12th century in what is now Cambodia. The world famous temple was first a Hindu one, dedicated to Vishnu. In the 14th or 15th century, as Buddhism swept across Asia, it became a Buddhist temple.
Angkor Wat was built in the early 12th century in what is now Cambodia. The world famous temple was first a Hindu one, dedicated to Vishnu. In the 14th or 15th century, as Buddhism swept across Asia, it became a Buddhist temple.
Shwedagon Pagoda
No one knows exactly when the Shwedagon Paya (or Pagoda) in Myanmar was built - legend has it that it is 2,500 years old though archaeologists estimate that it was built between the 6th and 10th century.
No one knows exactly when the Shwedagon Paya (or Pagoda) in Myanmar was built - legend has it that it is 2,500 years old though archaeologists estimate that it was built between the 6th and 10th century.
The Erecththeion
Or Erechtheum is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It is notable for a design that is both elegant and unusual.The temple as seen today was built between 421 BC and 407 BC.
Or Erechtheum is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It is notable for a design that is both elegant and unusual.The temple as seen today was built between 421 BC and 407 BC.
Parthenon
Replacing an older temple destroyed by the Persians, the Parthenon was constructed at the initiative of Pericles, the leading Athenian politician of the 5th century BC. It was built under the general supervision of the sculptor Phidias, who also had charge of the sculptural decoration. The architects were Iktinos and Kallikrates.Construction began in 447 BC and the building was substantially completed by 438 BC, but work on the decorations continued until at least 433 BC.
Replacing an older temple destroyed by the Persians, the Parthenon was constructed at the initiative of Pericles, the leading Athenian politician of the 5th century BC. It was built under the general supervision of the sculptor Phidias, who also had charge of the sculptural decoration. The architects were Iktinos and Kallikrates.Construction began in 447 BC and the building was substantially completed by 438 BC, but work on the decorations continued until at least 433 BC.
The Temple of Bacchus
Was one of the three main temples at a large temple complex in Classical Antiquity, at Baalbek in Lebanon. The temple was dedicated to Bacchus (also known as Dionysus), the Roman God of wine, but was traditionally referred to by Neoclassical visitors as the "Temple of the Sun".
Was one of the three main temples at a large temple complex in Classical Antiquity, at Baalbek in Lebanon. The temple was dedicated to Bacchus (also known as Dionysus), the Roman God of wine, but was traditionally referred to by Neoclassical visitors as the "Temple of the Sun".
The Temple of Saturn (Latin: Templum Saturni or Aedes Saturnus)
Is a monument to the agricultural deity Saturn, that stands at the western end of the Forum Romanum in Rome. It represents the oldest-surviving foundation in that area, having been established between 501 and 498 BC.
Is a monument to the agricultural deity Saturn, that stands at the western end of the Forum Romanum in Rome. It represents the oldest-surviving foundation in that area, having been established between 501 and 498 BC.
Ziggurats
Were always built by kings. In ancient Mesopotamia, there was a conflict between the two great organizations, the temple and the palace. By building ziggurats, the king showed that he could perform more impressive religious deeds than the priesthood.
Were always built by kings. In ancient Mesopotamia, there was a conflict between the two great organizations, the temple and the palace. By building ziggurats, the king showed that he could perform more impressive religious deeds than the priesthood.
Abu Simbel Great rok temples of RamessesII,
XIXth Dynasty, c.1250 B.C. relocated at 1963-72. ; Abu Simbel, Egypt
LUXOR Temple of Amenhotep III
18th Dynasty, c.1370 B.C. and Temple of Ramesses II, 19th Dynasty, c.1250 B.C.; Luxor, Egyp
18th Dynasty, c.1370 B.C. and Temple of Ramesses II, 19th Dynasty, c.1250 B.C.; Luxor, Egyp
