The most distinctive characteristic of the Hassan II Mosque is its spectacular location on a platform over the Atlantic Ocean. Uniquely, part of the mosque’s floor is made of glass so worshippers can kneel directly over the sea. Unfortunately, this wonderful feature is mainly for royal use and is off-limits to visitors. All of the granite, plaster, marble, wood and other materials used in the construction, were taken from around Morocco, with the exception of some Italian white granite columns and glass chandeliers. Six thousand traditional Moroccan artisans worked for five years to create the abundant and beautiful mosaics, stone and marble floors and columns, sculpted plaster moldings, and carved and painted wood ceilings.

The Mosque includes a faculty of Islamic studies and Koranic sciences, vast courtyards, underground rest rooms, parking lots, and green areas. Al-Saleh Mosque has six minarets 100 m high, in addition to a number of domes. Each of the minarets is over 100m high, the main hall alone covers 13,500 sq. m and the mosque can hold over 44,000 worshippers, with a separate women’s section. There are 10 doors on the eastern and western sides, five doors on the southern side leading to the mosque’s rear courtyard, the Islamic sharia college’s courtyard, and in the ablution area. The entire structure was built according to the highest standards of safety.

The various Islamic and Yemeni architecture styles of were taken into account in the design of the walls and the roof decorations. The building’s main structure is made of reinforced concrete- Yemeni concrete, thanks to its reputation for being of excellent quality. Moreover, President Saleh instructed that the mosque’s extensive stonework to be carried out exclusively with materials found locally. The inspirational construction of Al Saleh mosque bridges the gap between Yemen’s ancient civilization and architectural legacy and modern technology, and deftly integrates the cherished heritage and novel innovations.

Built 900 years ago, the Monastery of St. John is an impressive structure with outstanding interior frescoes. It towers above the capital, Chora, and the whole island breathes of faith and devotion. This majestic medieval monastery entirely made of stone towers through inviting incoming tourists to step foot on Patmos with utmost respect, increasing wonder and unending awe. In 1999, the island’s historic center Chora was declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

 
Nevertheless, there is more to the island than its Christian reputation. Patmos Island is a great place to relax and has a very spiritual atmosphere due to its religious background. There are many nice beaches along the jagged coastline, and the people grow fruits and olives on the green hills. The landscape invites you to take long walks and there is much to discover. The beaches of Patmos Island can be organized with sunbeds, umbrellas and taverns, or they can also be totally secluded. The island is quite windy, so it is good for windsurfing.

Construction of this palatine chapel, with its octagonal basilica and cupola, began c. 790–800 under the Emperor Charlemagne. Originally inspired by the churches of the Eastern part of the Holy Roman Empire, it was splendidly enlarged in the Middle Ages. For 600 years, from 936 to 1531, the Aachen chapel was the church of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens. The Aachen Cathedral was extensively renovated in the 10th century and restored in 1881.

As a miracle of the architecture – half mystical, half of human origins – the contemporaries explained the Pfalzkapelle of the GermanRoman of emperor Karl der Grosser.  The collections of the cathedral treasure, show sacred cultural treasures, more spectacular, more Carolingian, more Ottonian and unique to their time.  They are works of art, as well as archaeological and historical documents of inestimable importance.

Dedicated to Saint Stephen, Bourges Cathedral is a magnificent early Gothic cathedral located near the Loire Valley, France.  It was built in record time – between the late 12th and late 13th centuries by architect Paul-Louis Boeswillwald and the master builder Philippe Berruyer. Bourges Cathedral was added to UNESCO world heritage site list in 1992.

With its unique feats of architecture, impressive sculptures and glorious 13th-century stained glass windows, the Cathedral is one of the great masterpieces of Gothic art. The tympanum, sculptures and stained-glass windows are particularly striking. Apart from the beauty of the architecture, it attests to the power of Christianity in medieval France.

Its magnificent chevet resembles the one at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris with double flying buttresses creating an overall pyramid-shaped elevation. It is however, also its splendid windows that like those at Chartres make this cathedral famous.The architectural style chosen by the unknown Master-builder is based on a plan with no transept and plastic effects of great modernity for their time. The Cathedral is still surrounded by the half-timbered houses of the medieval town. For more information please click here.

 
The Burgos Cathedral is a Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral in Burgos, northern Spain. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it is notable for its vast size and unique Gothic architecture. On October 31, 1984, Burgos Cathedral was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and Frommer’s Spain calls it one of Spain’s best cathedrals.

The entire history of Gothic art is summed up in its superb architecture and its unique collection of works of art, including paintings, choir stalls, tombs and stained-glass windows. The construction of a cathedral was ordered by King Ferdinand III of Castile and Mauricio, the English-born Bishop of Burgos. Construction started on the site of the former Romanesque cathedral on July 20, 1221. Work began at the chevet (east end), which was completed in nine years. 

An international team of architects and artists worked on the front spires, chapel and the choir in late Gothic style. It is the only Spanish cathedral that has this distinction independently. Burgos Cathedral is an outstanding example of an integral Gothic cathedral, with church, cloister and annexes and is also the burial place of the Spanish national hero El Cid and his widow.

Founded in the 11th century, Avila is a medieval city in western Spain, about 70 miles northwest of Madrid. Dates from pre-Roman times this old town has the best preserved medieval walls in Spain. With 82 semicircular towers and nine gates, the walls, surrounding the city, have a total length of 2.5 km and is on average 12 meters high. Ávila also has a magnificently historic cathedral, a number of Extra-Muros Churches, and an authentic medieval atmosphere. For all these reasons, the entire Old Town of Ávila has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The cathedral was built as an integral element of the embattled walls, while the town’s topography of churches, monasteries, and houses extends beyond the ramparts, creating an ensemble of medieval urbanism. Situated at the highest altitude on 1130 m above sea level, this World Heritage city also is the birthplace of St Teresa and the burial place of the Grand Inquisitor Torquemada. Teresa was a 16th-century Carmelite nun who reformed her order, had many ecstatic visions, and wrote several books. She is the female patron saint of Spain and was the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church.

Other city’ tourist attractions include: the Cathedral of Avila, Basílica de San Vicente, Iglesia de San Pedro, Palacio de Don Diego del Aguila and many museums, universities and history buildings. Avila contains two main shrines honoring St. Teresa, along with a few more sites associated with the saint. The primary shrine is the Convent of St. Teresa, a convent contains her relics, and the second is the Monasterio de la Encarnacion, where St. Teresa lived and where her cell can be visited.

Located in Soho, a neighborhood in Manhattan, the synagogue was founded n 2005 by Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Dovi Scheiner and his wife Estiy. Rabbi Scheiner is the brother of Rabbi Pesach Scheiner, leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch of Boulder, Colorado. Occupies an erstwhile fashion boutique of Gucci, between Spring and Broome Streets, the Soho Synagogue looks as much like a funky nightclub as it does a traditional temple.

Designed by israeli-born new york-based designer/architect Dror Benshetrit, the synagogue is the community’s first ever synagogue and represents a fresh vision that translates the inspiration of Judaism to a new generation. Once passing through the corridor, visitors arrive at the top of a steel and glass stairwell opening the view and the path to the under-leveled sanctuary. Art on the walls consists of a series of panels, which the congregants can unhang and fold into chairs or coffee tables. within this space, dror has interpreted his own idea of the prayer benches with comfortable beige low-couches. The sanctuary atmosphere, traditionally created by the light of the stained-glass window, is created with single retro-style edison bulbs.

On September 15, 2009, The SoHo Synagogue signed a 7 year lease for the ground floor. It is set on reintroducing orthodox Judaism to the downtown scene with yoga classes, cocktail parties, and relaxed Friday-night services, according to Fast Co Design.  It kicked off its new location with a fundraiser party “Opening Night in White,” on Sunday night at Capitale on Bowery, followed by a walk to the synagogue where members of the congregation performed. Photographer: John Hall

The Sri Dalada Maligawa or Tooth Temple is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy – one of the largest cities in Sri Lanka. This temple is one of the most holy sites on the island in the same vein that the Basilica of Saint Peter of Vatican is to the Roman Catholic Church. Built between the years 1687 and 1707, the temple reputed to contain an actual tooth of the Buddha on his 2nd visit to Sri Lanka over 2000 years ago.

Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. The Buddhist pilgrimage believed that Lord Buddha’s left upper canine tooth has been placed here making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka for visitors and tourists around the world.  Esala Perahera is a Buddhist celebration that is observed once a year. A long procession is arranged where an elephant leads the procession carrying the tooth relic. Daily rituals known as Tevava are observed at the Tooth Temple. The temple is among the worldwide UNESCO heritage sites and many strong Buddhists visit the temple.

The great mosque contained a total of 16 bays, supported by nine pillars, originally carved from coral but later replaced by timber. The structure, which was entirely roofed, was perhaps one of the first mosques to have been built without a courtyard. The mosque was reconstructed during the rule of Sultan Sulaiman ibn Muhammad, in the 15th century making it the largest covered mosque in East Africa. Today this island off the Tanzanian coast contains just a sleepy village of around 800 inhabitants engaged in fishing and rudimentary agriculture. But, as you walk the quiet paths, you come across the ruins of palaces, great houses, trading courtyards, forts, mosques and tombs.

Also known as Masjid Kristal, this mosque is located in Kuala Terengganu. It was built between 2006 and 2008 as part of the RM250 million Taman Tamadun Islam project. Officially opened by the Sultan of Terengganu, the Crystal Mosque is a landmark mosque in Malaysia.

 Saint Petka is old Orthodox Church picturesquely situated amidst the rocks on the southern slope of Djambazteppe, Plovdiv, from where it dominates the residential quarters, built on the flat country, in spite of its modest dimentions (28 x 16m). Two unique icons are preserved here also, dates back to the 13th century.

The Holy Virgin Cathedral is situated on the northern slope of Taximteppe, possibly in the place of a medieval monastery church (9th-10th C.). The year when the first church was built is unknown, but it is dated back to the middle of the Byzantine epoch. The bell-tower built in 1880-1881. Saint Marina Orthodox Church – A bishop’s church, the main one for the whole of the Plovdiv Eparchy. Situated at the southern foot of Taximteppe. The iconostasis is one of the most precious monuments of the wood-carving art on our land 1828, which is 21m long. The unique six-storied wooden bell-tower, built in 1870 and 17 m high, is also valuable.

St St Constantine and Helena – built in the place of an early Christian sanctuary, initially having been dedicated to Severian and Memnos, who perished for their faith together with 38 Plovdiv martyrs, murdered at this place during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (at the beginning of the 6th century). Later it was dedicated to the equal to the Apostles St St Constantine and Helena.

The Bulgarian St. Stephen Church, also known as the Bulgarian Iron Church, is a Bulgarian orthodox church in Istanbul, famous for being made of cast iron. The richly ornamented church is a three-domed cross-shaped basilica. The altar faces the Golden Horn and a 40-rn-high belfry, the six bells of which were cast in Yaroslav, rises above the narthex.
The construction plans were prepared by Hovsep Aznavur, an Armenian of Istanbul origin. An international competition was conducted to produce the prefabricated parts of church, won by an Austrian company R. Ph. Waagner. The prefabricated parts, weighing 500 tons, were produced in Vienna in 1893-1896 and transported to Istanbul by ship through the Danube and the Black Sea.

Valluvar Kottam  is a moderne landmark in Metropolis, India. Valluvar Kottam now stands at the quantity which was the deepest spot of a lake which was situated in the country. It is a obelisk to the extraordinary Dravidian poet-saint Tiruvalluvar, who wrote the famous Thirukkural. Valluvar Kottam was opened in 1976 on discoverer that was reclaimed from an unused  lake. The toy is designed equal a chariot, on the lines of the temple car of Thiruvarur. The architect of the obelisk is South Indian traditional designer Ganapati Sthapati.  

The 133 chapters of his famous work Thirukkural soul been depicted in bas-relief in the advanced writer corridors of the chariot. The Valluvar Kottam has an auditorium also, which is said to be the largest in Continent and can house about 4000 people.  There is a 101-feet flooding temple chariot system with a life-size individual of the stargazer in it. The sepulture is recognised as the largest in Collection.

Pattadakal, situated in Province, low the Chalukya Dynasty, achieved a harmonical unify of architectural forms from the northeastern and southeast of India. An moving programme of nine Hindu temples, as source as a Faith sanctuary can be seen there. The temples of Pattadakal invite myriad ascertain of tourists, who come from the upstage lands, route the gathering.

The Sangameshwara, Chandrashekhara, Jambuling, Kadasideeshwara , Papanatha, Kashivishvanatha Temple are the otherwise bailiwick temples here. Cardinal of the temples here are in the southeastward Soldier Dravidian architectural tool piece tetrad are in the northwestward Indian Nagara style while Papanatha tabernacle exhibits a organism communication. Pattadakal had erstwhile been the princely uppercase of the Chalukyas. During 7th – 8th century, Pattadakal Temples were got constructed by the Chalukya rulers. The temple is cuneate, but its massive toy brings out a unique forgiving of elegance.

The oldest temple at Pattadakal is Sangamesvara stacked by Vijayaditya Satyasraya (AD 697-733). The temple is improved in Dravidic communication and consists of a place, inward transit and a adventurer.
Mallikarjuna Temple is a smaller variant of the Virupaksha tabernacle and was stacked by Vikramadiyta’s ordinal challenger Trilokyamahadevi in 745. Virupaksha tabernacle was collective by the queens of Vikramaditya II in virtue of his successful struggle against the Pallavas of Kanchi in the year 735 CE.

Galaganatha temple was stacked a century afterward in the architecture music of Rekha Nagara Prasada. Temple contains a work of Lord Week killing the demon Andhakasura.
Of all the Nagara name temples Kasivisvanatha temple’s shikhara is the most awing.
Kasivisvesvara tabernacle was the parthian to be improved in first Chalukya style.