The oldest churches in Russia and around the world. Orthodox churches

Some of these temples were built several centuries ago, others are the creations of modern architects. Some ideas took decades and even centuries to implement. Others took only a few years. All these buildings have one thing in common - their architecture is unique, and this attracts millions of people, regardless of beliefs.

Here are some of the most architecturally remarkable places of worship from around the world.

Milan Cathedral, Italy

This Gothic cathedral is the second largest Catholic cathedral in the world. Late Gothic marvel that contains a forest of spiers and sculptures, marble pointed turrets and columns. It took more than 500 years to complete the construction.

Holy Trinity Church, Antarctica

The Russian Orthodox Church was built in Russia in the 1990s and then transported to a Russian station in Antarctica. This is one of 7 churches on its territory.

Taktsang Lhakhang, Bhutan

This sacred place for Buddhists is located at an altitude of 3120 meters. The name of the monastery is translated as "tigress's nest".

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, United Arab Emirates

The mosque can accommodate about 40 thousand believers, has 82 domes and 1000 pillars. And here is the largest carpet in the world.

Church of Hallgrimskirkja, Iceland

The Lutheran Church in Reykjavik is the fourth tallest building in Iceland. It is located in the center of Reykjavik and is visible from any part of the city.

Temple of All Religions, Kazan, Russia

This unique building miraculously combines the Christian cross, the Muslim crescent, the Star of David and the Chinese dome. True, no rituals are performed here, because this is not a functioning temple, but simply a building that looks like a residential building inside. In total, the project provides for domes and other iconic elements of religious buildings of 16 world religions, including disappeared civilizations.

Lotus Temple, India

For the people of India, the lotus symbolizes purity and peace. This is one of the most visited buildings in the world.

Kul-Sharif Mosque, Kazan, Russia

The designers of the new mosque tried to recreate the main mosque of the Kazan Khanate, destroyed in 1552 by the troops of Ivan the Terrible.

Cathedral of Las Lajas, Colombia

The neo-Gothic cathedral is built directly on a 30-meter arched bridge connecting the two sides of a deep gorge. The temple is taken care of by two Franciscan communities: one is Colombian, the other is Ecuadorian. Thus, the Cathedral of Las Lajas became the key to peace and union between the two South American peoples.

Kamppi Chapel of Silence, Finland

It is intended for solitude and meetings. Services are not held in the chapel. Here you can hide from the hustle and bustle, enjoy peace in one of the busiest places in the capital and meditate in an ecologically clean space. Because of its appearance and materials, the chapel of silence is often referred to as the "sauna of the spirit".

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, Slovenia

The church is located on the only island in all of Slovenia. To get inside, you need to swim across the lake in a boat and climb 99 steps.

Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, USA

The unique design of the chapel is a classic example of modernist architecture. The magnificent interior combines several different areas of worship under one roof, including Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Buddhist chapels. Each of them has its own distinctive symbolism, ammunition and its own exit.

Paoai Church, Philippines

It is one of the few surviving Baroque churches.

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Australia

St. Patrick's Cathedral is the tallest and largest church in Australia.

Church of the Transfiguration, Kizhi, Russia

The church was built in the traditions of Russian carpentry, that is, without nails. It is crowned with 22 domes, and its height is 37 meters.

Green Church, Argentina

The most ordinary Catholic church became famous thanks to the rich, lively ivy decor that turned the facade into an allusion to the Biblical Garden of Gethsemane.

Andrew's Church, Ukraine

The church is located on a steep hill, offering a beautiful view of Kyiv. According to legend, it was built on the site where St. Andrew the First-Called set up a cross. This is just one of the many legends that shrouded St. Andrew's Church.

California Mormon Temple, USA

The huge building is made in a dazzling white color. And such a color scheme is not accidental, because the white color is traditionally perceived as a symbol of purity and purity. Inside the Mormon Temple itself, tourists and simply curious people are not allowed; only members of the community can enter the premises of the sacred building.

Crystal Mosque, Malaysia

It is located on an artificial island. The mosque is made of steel and glass, so it seems that it is crystal.

Dutch Reformed Church, Republic of South Africa

The church is located in the very center of the city, and this is the fourth temple built on this site. It is considered one of the finest examples of early Gothic architecture in South Africa.

Taung Kalat Monastery, Myanmar

Taung Kalat Monastery sits atop a volcanic plug that rises 737 meters above the surrounding area near the extinct volcano of Mount Popa. There are exactly 777 steps leading up to the monastery, and those who reach the top are rewarded with a magnificent view. Mount Taung Kalat is known among the local population as the abode of spirits. The people believe that dozens of spirits, the so-called nats, live in the depths of an extinct volcano.

Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, 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 king ordered the architects to be blinded so that they could no longer build such a temple.

Stave Church in Borgunn, Norway

This church, built around 1180, is one of Norway's most famous stave churches.

Church of the Sagrada Familia, Spain

Built on private donations since 1882, the church in Barcelona is Antonio Gaudí's famous project. The unusual appearance of the temple made it one of the main attractions of Barcelona. However, due to the complexity of manufacturing stone structures, the cathedral will be completed no earlier than 2026. .

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website brings you some of the most architecturally remarkable places of worship from around the world.

Milan Cathedral, Italy

Holy Trinity Church, Antarctica

The Russian Orthodox Church was built in Russia in the 1990s and then transported to a Russian station in Antarctica. This is one of 7 churches on its territory.

Taktsang Lhakhang, Bhutan

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, United Arab Emirates

Church of Hallgrimskirkja, Iceland

The Lutheran Church in Reykjavik is the fourth tallest building in Iceland. It is located in the center of Reykjavik and is visible from any part of the city.

Temple of All Religions, Kazan, Russia

Lotus Temple, India

For the people of India, the lotus symbolizes purity and peace. This is one of the most visited buildings in the world.

Kul-Sharif Mosque, Kazan, Russia

The designers of the new mosque tried to recreate the main mosque of the Kazan Khanate, destroyed in 1552 by the troops of Ivan the Terrible.

Cathedral of Las Lajas, Colombia

Kamppi Chapel of Silence, Finland

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, Slovenia

The church is located on the only island in all of Slovenia. To get inside, you need to swim across the lake in a boat and climb 99 steps.

Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, USA

Paoai Church, Philippines

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Australia

St. Patrick's Cathedral is the tallest and largest church in Australia.

Church of the Transfiguration, Kizhi, Russia

The church was built in the traditions of Russian carpentry, that is, without nails. It is crowned with 22 domes, and its height is 37 meters.

Green Church, Argentina

The most ordinary Catholic church became famous thanks to the rich, lively ivy decor that turned the facade into an allusion to the Biblical Garden of Gethsemane.

Andrew's Church, Ukraine

California Mormon Temple, USA

Crystal Mosque, Malaysia

It is located on an artificial island. The mosque is made of steel and glass, so it seems that it is crystal.

Hallgrímskirkja, the Lutheran church in Reykjavik, is the fourth tallest building in Iceland. The project of the church was developed in 1937 by the architect Gudjoun Samuelson. It took 38 years to build.

The church is located in the city center and is visible from any part of it. The shrine, which is also used as an observation tower, is rightfully considered one of the main attractions of the Icelandic capital.

The construction of the Cathedral of Las Lajas (Las Lajas Cathedrale), one of the most visited temples in Colombia, was completed in 1948. The temple stands directly on a 30-meter arched bridge connecting the two sides of a deep gorge.

The Neo-Gothic Church is cared for by two Franciscan communities, one Colombian and the other Ecuadorian. Thus, Las Lajas Cathedral is a pledge of peace and union between the two South American peoples.

Notre Dame du Haut is a 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. However, nowadays tourists are one of the main sources of income for Ronshans.

The Church of the Merciful God the Father (Dio Padre Misericordioso) or, as it is also called, the Jubilee Church, is a community center in Rome, which was built by architect Richard Meyer in 1996-2003 with the aim of enlivening the life of the inhabitants of the area

The temple was built of prefabricated reinforced concrete on a triangular platform on the border of the city park, surrounded by 10-story residential and public buildings with a population of about 30 thousand inhabitants.

St. Basil's Orthodox Cathedral, located on Red Square in Moscow, is a well-known monument of Russian architecture and one of the most famous sights of Russia.

The temple was built in 1555-1561 by order of Ivan the Terrible in memory of the victory over the Kazan Khanate.

According to legend, after the construction was completed, the architects were blinded so as not to be able to build another equally beautiful cathedral.

The world-famous, fourth largest temple in the world, Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), is located in the very center of Milan and is its symbol.

Sagrada Familia (Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família) in Barcelona, built on private donations since 1882, is the famous project of Antonio Gaudí.

The unusual appearance of the temple made it one of the main attractions of Barcelona. However, due to the difficulty of manufacturing stone structures, the cathedral will be completed no earlier than 2026.

The dazzling whiteness of the Church of Paraportiani is located on the Greek island of Mykonos.

The temple was built in the 15th-17th centuries and consists of five separate churches: four churches are built on the ground, and the fifth is based on these four.

One of the most ancient (1150-1180) surviving frame churches - Stavkirka in Borgund (Borgund stavkyrkje) - is located in Norway. One of the distinguishing features of this shrine is the complete absence of metal parts.

The number of wooden parts that make up the church exceeds 2 thousand. The strong frame of the racks was assembled on the ground and then raised to a vertical position with the help of long poles.

The Cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Brasilia - the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Aparecida (Metropolitana de Nossa Senhora Aparecida) - was built in the modernist style by the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer.

In 1988, Niemeyer received the Pritzker Prize for the 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's Church (Grundtvigs Kirke) - a Lutheran church located in Copenhagen - is one of the most famous churches in the city and the rarest example of a religious building built in the expressionist style.

The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Glorious Port (Basílica Menor de Nossa Senhora da Glória) is the highest Catholic cathedral in Latin America. Its height reaches 124 m, of which the height of the cross is 10 m.

The initial project of the cathedral was proposed by Don Jaime Luis Coelho, and the architect José Augusto Bellucci designed the cathedral. The shape of the temple, built between July 1959 and May 1972, was inspired by the impression of Soviet satellites.

The Church of Solace is located in the Spanish city of Cordoba. A very 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 inner golden wall in place of the altar.

Temple of St. George (Church of St. George) - a 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.

St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in Chicago was built in 1956.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Tears (Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime) in the form of 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. Once the figurine began to “cry” with human tears, and pilgrims from all over the world rushed to the city.

In honor of this miracle, a huge cathedral was built, perfectly visible from anywhere in the city.

The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira in Colombia is carved into a 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, this place was a mine used by the Indians to obtain salt. When the need for mining disappeared, a temple appeared on the site of the mine.

The Cadet Chapel is located in Colorado on the territory of a military camp and a training base of a branch of the US Air Force Academy of Pilots.

The monumental profile of the building of the chapel is created by seventeen rows of steel frames, ending with peaks at a height of about 50 meters. The building is divided into three levels, and in its halls services are held for the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish denominations.

Temples are architectural structures that are designed to perform religious rites and worship. However, it can be said that the significance of temples is often much broader than the ritual functions they perform and the religious ideas they embody.

The first temples of the world appeared in ancient times and not only as religious buildings - they reflected the search for God inherent in man. Throughout human history, they have been an integral part of the landscape of the city, and many of them have become so famous that they have become symbols.

Temples of the Ancient World

The very first temples in ancient Egypt that are known to modern science were built in the fourth millennium BC. They were shaped like thatched huts. The last completed temple is at Philae. It ceased to be used for its intended purpose only in the VI century.

Karnak

One of the main attractions of Egypt is the heavily ruined Karnak. It is recognized as the largest ancient temple in the world. The building is a creation of many generations of Egyptian builders.

Karnak Temple consists of three buildings - small closed buildings and several external ones, located north of Luxor (2.5 km). It took several thousand years to build and organize the fortification of the majestic temple of Karnak. However, the bulk of the work at Karnak was carried out by the pharaohs of the New Kingdom. The most famous structure in Karnak is considered to be the Hypostyle Hall, whose area is 50 thousand square meters. It has 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows.

Temples of Abu Simbel

Temples of the world sometimes amaze with their unusualness. For example, the temples (double) of Abu Simbel were carved into the slopes of the mountain. This happened during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses the Great in the 13th century BC. e. The temples have become an eternal monument to Ramesses and his queen Nefertari.

Temple of Edfu

Temples of the world were often built and dedicated to the gods. So the temple of Edfu was built in honor of the God Falcon Horus. It is the second largest temple in Egypt after Karnak and one of the best preserved. It began to be built in 237 BC. e. In those days, Ptolemy III was in power. The work was completed two centuries later (in 57 BC). The structure is made up of traditional elements of Egyptian temples, as well as several Greek elements, such as Mammisi (house of birth).

Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Orthodox churches of the world were built in different countries. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was built on Mount Golgotha, the site of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here he was martyred.

It was founded by the mother of Emperor Constantine, Elena, in 335. Once she found in the underground premises of the temple of Venus, which had previously stood on this site, a cave with the Holy Sepulcher and the Cross on which Jesus was crucified. There is a legend that three absolutely identical crosses were found in the dungeon at once. In order to find out which of them is real, Elena in turn touched them to the Coffin with the body of the deceased. When the real Cross touched him, a miracle happened - the dead man was resurrected.

Saint Isaac's Cathedral

The most beautiful temples in the world are admired not only by parishioners. The tourists who visit them also admire the beautiful buildings. The majestic St. Isaac's Cathedral is a vivid example of Russian religious architecture. Many experts are sure that this is one of the most beautiful domed structures in the world. It is located in our northern capital. The temple can accommodate up to 12 thousand people at the same time. Previously, people came here for worship, but now it is mostly tourists. The temple received the status of a historical and art museum in 1937.

The diameter of the outer dome of the temple is twenty-five meters. More than a hundred kilograms were spent on covering the central one, as well as the domes on the bell towers. From the colonnade, a hundred meters high, located above the dome, a striking view of the city center and the banks of the Neva opens.

The largest temples

Christian churches of the world differ in architectural styles, interior decoration, the presence of certain shrines. Nevertheless, all of them are priceless monuments of history and architecture.

The most majestic religious building in our country is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, located in Moscow. Initially, the temple was built according to the design of Ton. It began to be erected in 1839. Unfortunately, in 1931, the temple, as well as many cathedrals and churches in our country, was destroyed, and it was recreated in 1997.

The height of the temple is 105 meters. The building has the shape of an equilateral cross (width - 85 m). The temple can simultaneously accommodate 10 thousand people. The interior decoration impresses with luxury, which was borrowed from the Byzantine religion (Orthodox).

Saint Paul's Cathedral

Famous temples of the world are places of pilgrimage. This fully applies to St. Peter's Basilica - the largest temple of the Vatican. It is believed that this is the largest temple in the world. Its length is 212 meters, width - 150 m, occupied area - more than 22 thousand m 2. Height with a cross on the dome - 136 meters. The cathedral simultaneously accommodates about 60 thousand people.

The temple was erected in the 16th century by such great masters as Raphael, Michelangelo. The magnificent building has been built for more than five centuries. Previously, there was a circus in this place, in which, in the time of Nero, Christians were tortured and put to a terrible death. He was also brought here and asked to be executed differently from Christ, and he was crucified head down.

Three centuries later, Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of a basilica in honor of St. Peter here, and in 1452, Nicholas V (Pope of Rome) began construction of the cathedral. The temple was under construction for 120 years. In 1667, J. designed the area in front of the cathedral, which accommodates all believers who wish to receive a blessing.

St. Peter's Basilica is the prototype for the creation of many major churches in the world, for example, Dame de la Pe in the city of Yamoussoukro. It was built in 1989. The building area is 30 thousand square meters. It can accommodate 20 thousand people. In addition, the cathedral served as a model for St. Paul's Church (London). The dimensions of the building are 170 x 90 m. The author of the project is architect Christopher Wren.

Temples of Peace: The Forbidden Mosque

This is the main shrine of the Muslim world. In her courtyard is the Kaaba. The mosque was built in 638. By the Decree of the King of Saudi Arabia, since 2007, the mosque has been reconstructed.

In the course of construction work in the northern direction, the territory increased to 400 thousand square meters. Now the mosque can accommodate 1.12 million worshipers. But two minarets are still under construction. Taking into account the territory, two and a half million people will be able to participate in the ceremonies held here at the same time.

The most beautiful temples

Of course, for true believers, the most beautiful churches are in their cities, where they go to worship. Nevertheless, there are such cathedrals in the world that arouse the admiration of all people on our planet. We will tell you about some of them.

Cathedral of Notre Dame

The location of this cathedral on (Paris) is not accidental. In ancient times there was a pagan temple of Jupiter, then - the first Christian church of Paris (St. Stephen's Basilica). The construction of the cathedral began in 1163. It went on for over two hundred years.

The temple is made mainly in the Gothic style, but the towers differ greatly in their appearance. This is due to the fact that different architects took part in the work.

The cathedral carefully stores one of the most important Christian relics - Christ, who was brought here from Jerusalem. There is no traditional wall painting inside the cathedral. But the huge colored stained-glass windows on the windows illustrate biblical scenes. There is a legend that the famous Emmanuel bell, weighing 13 tons, was cast from women's jewelry.

Sagrada Familia

This cathedral is located in Barcelona (Spain). The construction of the grandiose structure lasted for more than forty years under the supervision and to date it has not been completed.

This is explained by the fact that the initiators of the construction set a condition: the temple should be built only on donations from parishioners. Modern experts believe that construction will be completed in 2026. The temple has the shape of a Latin cross, the facade is decorated with sayings from the Bible.

St. Basil's Cathedral

The magnificent Orthodox church is located in Moscow, on Red Square. It is named after Vasily (the holy fool), who dared to express dissatisfaction with the reign of Tsar Ivan the Terrible.

The temple was called Trinity until the 17th century. It was built in the middle of the 16th century. According to legend, Ivan the Terrible ordered the architect to be blinded so that he would never be able to create something similar in the future. For several centuries, the temple has been a visiting card not only of the capital, but of the whole of Russia. Today it is included in the UNESCO heritage list. Today there is a branch of the historical museum.

The architecture of temples has a very rich and ambiguous history, which, however, shows that it was with the construction of temples that all architectural innovations, all new styles and trends all over the world began and spread. The majestic religious buildings of the great civilizations of the ancient world have survived to this day. And also there were many modern examples of amazing architecture of religious buildings.

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1. Hallgrimskirkja

The Lutheran Church in Reykjavik is the fourth tallest building in Iceland. The project 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 a lookout tower.

2. Las Lajas Cathedral

One of the most visited temples in Colombia. The 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 church is cared for by two Franciscan communities, one Colombian and the other Ecuadorian. Thus, the Cathedral of Las Lajas became the key to peace and union between the two South American peoples.

3. 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 the tourists who come to see it have become one of the main sources of income for the Ronshans.

4. Jubilee Church

Or the Church of the Merciful God the Father is a community center in Rome. It was built by architect Richard Meyer between 1996 and 2003 to revitalize the lives of the area's residents. The temple was built of prefabricated concrete on a triangular platform on the border of the city park, surrounded by 10-story residential and public buildings with a population of about 30,000 inhabitants.

5. St. Basil's Cathedral

The Orthodox church is located on Red Square in Moscow. A well-known monument of Russian architecture and one of the most famous sights of 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 no longer build a similar temple.

6. 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 marvel that contains a forest of spiers and sculptures, marble pointed turrets and columns. The white marble cathedral was built over 5 centuries.

7. Church of the Holy Family

Built on private donations since 1882, the church in Barcelona is Antonio Gaudí's famous project. The unusual appearance of the temple made it one of the main attractions of Barcelona. However, due to the difficulty of manufacturing stone structures, the cathedral will be completed no earlier than 2026.

8. Paraportiani Church

The dazzling white church is located on the Greek island of Mykonos. The temple was built in the 15th-17th centuries and consists of five separate churches: four churches are built on the ground, and the fifth is based on these four.

9. Stave Church in Borgunn

One of the oldest surviving frame churches is located in Norway. Metal parts were not used in the construction of the Borgund Stave Church. And the number of parts that make up the church exceeds 2 thousand. The strong frame of the racks was assembled on the ground and then raised to a vertical position with the help of long poles. The Stave Church in Borgunn was built presumably in 1150-80.

10. Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Brasilia was built in the modernist style by the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer. In 1988 Oscar Niemeyer received the Pritzker Prize for the 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.

11. 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 the design of the future church was won in 1913 by the architect Peder Klint. Construction continued from 1921 to 1926.

12. Cathedral - small basilica of the Glorious Mother of God

It is the highest Catholic cathedral in Latin America. Its height is 114 m + 10 m cross on top. The shape of the cathedral was created under the impression of Soviet satellites. The initial project of the cathedral was proposed by Don Jaime Luis Coelho, and the architect José Augusto Bellucci designed the cathedral. The cathedral was built between July 1959 and May 1972.

13. Church of Consolation

Located in the Spanish city of Cordoba. A very young church was designed by the architectural bureau Vicens + Ramos last year according to all the rules of strict minimalist canons. The only departure from the strictly white color is the golden wall in place of the altar.

14. 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 the king of Lalibela according to legend for 24 years. In total, there are 11 temples in Lalibela completely carved into the rocks and connected by tunnels.

16. Church of St. Joseph

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of St. Joseph in Chicago was built in 1956. Known in the world thanks to 13 golden domes, symbolizing the 12 apostles and Jesus Christ.

17. Cathedral of Our Lady of Tears

The cathedral in the form of a concrete tent towers over 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. Once the figurine began to “cry” with human tears, pilgrims from all over the world rushed to the city. In honor of her, a huge cathedral was built, perfectly visible from anywhere in the city.

18. Zipaquira Salt Cathedral

The Cathedral of Zipaquira in Colombia is carved into a 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, this place was a mine used by the Indians to obtain salt. When the need for this disappeared, a temple appeared on the site of the mine.

20. US Air Force Academy Cadets Chapel

It is located in the state of Colorado on the territory of a military camp and a training base of a branch of the US Air Force Pilot Academy. The monumental profile of the building of the chapel is created by seventeen rows of steel frames, ending with peaks at a height of about fifty meters. The building is divided into three levels, and in its halls services are held for the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish denominations.

21. St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery

One of the oldest monasteries in Kyiv. It 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, from where this peculiar tradition went in Russia.

22. Crown of Thorns Chapel

The wooden chapel is located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA. The chapel was built in 1980 by architect E. Fay Jones. There are a total of 425 windows in the light and spacious chapel building.

24. Arctic Cathedral

Lutheran church in the Norwegian city of Tromsø. As conceived by the architect, the exterior of the building, consisting of two merging triangular structures covered with aluminum plates, should evoke an association with an iceberg.

25. Painted Church in the Arbor

Painted temples are the most famous architectural sights of Moldova. Churches are decorated with frescoes both outside and inside. Each of these temples is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

26. Mosque in Tirana

The project of a cultural center in the Albanian capital Tirana, which will include a mosque, an Islamic cultural center and a Museum of Religious Accord. The international competition for the project was won last year by the Danish architectural firm BIG.

27. Farmers' Chapel

A concrete chapel at the edge of a field near the German town of Mechernich was built by local farmers in honor of their patron saint Bruder Claus.

28. Inflatable Church

The Dutch philosopher Frank Los came up with the inflatable Transparent Church, which can be built anywhere in the world and under any conditions: at festivals, private parties and other mass events. The inflatable church easily fits in the trunk of a car and, when disassembled, can accommodate about 30 parishioners.