For as long as we've had organized religion, we've had sites to honor the divine. They're testaments to human spirituality, architectural marvels, and often, breathtakingly beautiful. While many think of grand cathedrals or ancient temples, there's a whole world of sacred sites that defy expectations. Many of these sites are perched on mountainsides or carved entirely out of rocks, combining natural wonders with human craftsmanship.
In today's article, we will look at 15 breathtaking photos of sacred sites from around the world. Scroll on.
Related: The Most Remarkable Places of Worship on the Planet
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1. The Sacra di San Michele, a thousand-year-old Italian monastery, served as the muse for Umberto Eco's iconic novel, "The Name of the Rose.
2. The Assumption of Mary Church, standing proudly on Bled Island, Slovenia, has a rich history. Initially built of brick in 1142, it was later transformed into the Gothic masterpiece we see today during the 15th century.
3. The Ancient Greek temple of Apollo in Naxos
4. Perched atop Mount Tibidabo in Barcelona, the Expiatory Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus stands as a grand Catholic monument. Its construction was a direct response to plans for a Protestant church and casino on the same site.
5. The Las Lajas Sanctuary in Colombia is a popular pilgrimage destination for both Colombians and Ecuadorians. This stunning neo-Gothic church was built between 1916 and 1949.
6. The Fanjingshan Temples in China are a breathtaking sight. Nestled on a rocky outcrop in the Wuling Mountains, these ancient Buddhist structures have withstood centuries of wind and weather, thanks to their iron-tiled roofs. Reaching this sacred site requires a demanding hike of over 8,000 steps.
7. The Church of St. George in Ethiopia is an extraordinary feat of engineering. Carved entirely from solid rock, this ancient church dates back to the late 12th or early 13th century.
8. The Monastery of the Holy Trinity, one of Meteora's oldest surviving monasteries, is located dramatically on a 1,300-foot-high (3,962 meters) rock. Visitors must climb 146 steep steps carved into the cliffside to reach this medieval marvel.
9. High on Mount Baldo, overlooking the stunning Valdadige Valley, sits the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona. A beloved Italian landmark, this holy site dedicated to the Virgin Mary is a breathtaking sight.
10. The Temple of Valadier, a modest stone structure, stands at the mouth of the Frasassi Caves in Italy. Its origins trace back to the 11th century, when Benedictine monks erected it to protect a revered Madonna statue.
11. A paraglider made an incredible discovery in 2000: a hidden theater and temple complex situated 1,706 feet (520 meters) above sea level on Italy's Monte San Nicola. This ancient site dates back a staggering 2,100 years.
12. Yamadera temple, Japan
13. High above Bhutan's Paro Valley, at a dizzying 10,240 feet (3,121 meters), lies Tiger's Nest Monastery. Originally constructed in the 17th century on an ancient site, this architectural marvel seems to defy gravity as it clings to the cliff face.
14. Sumela Monastery clings dramatically to a sheer cliff face, 3,900 feet (1,188 meters) above the Altındere Valley. This historic site dates back to around 386 AD, during the reign of Emperor Theodosius I.
15. The Golden Temple of Laojun Mountain stands tall on one of the Funiu Mountains' highest peaks, reaching 7,273 feet (2,217 meters). Its pavilion, adorned with a golden roof, crowns the mountaintop.
