In times of crisis and despair, many choose to find comfort in their faith. But because of the limited spread of coronavirus and COVID-19, many are unable to gain access to churches, temples, cathedrals, mosques, shrines, and more because of the large number of religious sites and places of worship worldwide. Over time, these holy places will reopen to receive the faithful. For now, however, believers can only practice their religion behind closed doors.
Click through the gallery below to see some of the world's religious sites - destinations that will draw devotees again!
1. St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter's Basilica, the Renaissance Church which overlooks the huge St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, is considered one of the holiest Catholic pilgrimage sites. Preserved in 1629, it is considered the largest building of its age as an architectural work.
2. Sensō-Ji Temple, Japan
Located in Asakusa District, Tokyo, this ancient Buddhist temple is the oldest temple in the city and one of its most notable. Adjacent to the temple is a five-story pagoda, the Asakusa Shinto Temple. Together they form one of the most visited spiritual sites in the world, attracting 30 million fans a year.
3. St Paul's Cathedral, England
A working church with hourly prayers and daily service, St. Paul's is one of London's most famous and recognized visitors' attractions.
4. Great Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Commonly known as Al-Masjid al-Aram, the great mosque of Makkah surrounds the Kaaba and is the largest mosque in the world. It is the main destination for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
5. St. Patrick's Cathedral, USA
St. Patrick's Cathedral, dedicated in 1910, stands as a landmark in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and the most visible symbol of Roman Catholicism in the United States.
6. Lotus Temple, India
Located in Delhi, the beautiful Lotus Temple has won numerous architectural awards for its flower-like shape. Designed by Iranian-American architect Fariborz Sahaba, the temple is open to all, regardless of religion.
7. The Blue Mosque, Turkey
Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, this historic Istanbul monument was completed in 1616. Renowned for its hand-painted blue tiles adorning the interior walls, the mosque attracts a large number of worshipers and tourists.
8. Jokhang Temple, Tibet
Considered one of the holiest Buddhist temples in Tibet, Jokhang is located in the capital Lhasa. Locals describe the temple as the "spiritual heart of the city."
9. Temple Mount, Israel
To Muslims named Haram-sha Sharif, the golden dome of Temple Mount is a final symbol of Jerusalem. It has been worshipped as a sacred place in Judaism, Christianity and Islam for thousands of years.
10. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, France
The sanctuary has been a destination for pilgrimage since the mid-19th century, particularly known for its iconic medicinal properties of spring water. Each year around 350,000 pilgrims take a dip in the water at bath time.
11. Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico
One of the most important places of pilgrimage to Catholicism is the Old Basilica in Guadalupe, completed in 1709, and a modern basilica of the 1970s. Together the buildings welcome several million people a year.
12. Cologne Cathedral, Germany
Two twin spires of Cologne's Cathedral serve as a focus for the faithful and visitors: the memorial building is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 20,000 people a day.
13. Thean Hou Temple, Malaysia
One of the largest temples in Southeast Asia, Thein Hou is located in Kuala Lumpur. A six-level structure dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Maju, the architectural design of the temple combines elements of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
14. Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Italy
St. Francis of Assisi is associated with the conservation and natural environment of animals, and this Basilica, established in the Umbria region of Italy, is one of the most important places of Christian pilgrimage in the country.
15. York Minster, England
In addition to being the seat of the Archbishop of York, this impressive cathedral dates back to the 15th century Great East Window, the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world.
16. Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Located in Galicia and historically a pilgrimage centre in the Caleano de Santiago (on the way to St. James) since the early Middle Ages, the cathedral is also one of only three known churches in the world to be built at the tomb of Jesus' apostles. The other two are St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and St. Thomas's Cathedral Basilica in Chennai, India.
17. Itsukushima Shrine, Japan
This Shinto temple on Itsukushima Island is known for its dramatic "floating" Tori Gate (pictured). This temple complex is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Japan.
18. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, India
Located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It's a picturesque setting on the banks of river Ganges is also a favourite spot for religious tourists.
19. Venkateswara Temple, India
Venkateswara Temple, located in the hill town of Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh, is one of the most-visited holy places in the world. An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims make their way here every day.
20. Western Wall, Israel
Known in Islam as the Burak Wall, the sanctity of the Western Wall in Judaism is the result of its proximity to the Temple Mount.
Click through the gallery below to see some of the world's religious sites - destinations that will draw devotees again!
1. St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter's Basilica, the Renaissance Church which overlooks the huge St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, is considered one of the holiest Catholic pilgrimage sites. Preserved in 1629, it is considered the largest building of its age as an architectural work.
2. Sensō-Ji Temple, Japan
Located in Asakusa District, Tokyo, this ancient Buddhist temple is the oldest temple in the city and one of its most notable. Adjacent to the temple is a five-story pagoda, the Asakusa Shinto Temple. Together they form one of the most visited spiritual sites in the world, attracting 30 million fans a year.
3. St Paul's Cathedral, England
A working church with hourly prayers and daily service, St. Paul's is one of London's most famous and recognized visitors' attractions.
4. Great Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Commonly known as Al-Masjid al-Aram, the great mosque of Makkah surrounds the Kaaba and is the largest mosque in the world. It is the main destination for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
5. St. Patrick's Cathedral, USA
St. Patrick's Cathedral, dedicated in 1910, stands as a landmark in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and the most visible symbol of Roman Catholicism in the United States.
6. Lotus Temple, India
Located in Delhi, the beautiful Lotus Temple has won numerous architectural awards for its flower-like shape. Designed by Iranian-American architect Fariborz Sahaba, the temple is open to all, regardless of religion.
7. The Blue Mosque, Turkey
Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, this historic Istanbul monument was completed in 1616. Renowned for its hand-painted blue tiles adorning the interior walls, the mosque attracts a large number of worshipers and tourists.
8. Jokhang Temple, Tibet
Considered one of the holiest Buddhist temples in Tibet, Jokhang is located in the capital Lhasa. Locals describe the temple as the "spiritual heart of the city."
9. Temple Mount, Israel
To Muslims named Haram-sha Sharif, the golden dome of Temple Mount is a final symbol of Jerusalem. It has been worshipped as a sacred place in Judaism, Christianity and Islam for thousands of years.
10. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, France
The sanctuary has been a destination for pilgrimage since the mid-19th century, particularly known for its iconic medicinal properties of spring water. Each year around 350,000 pilgrims take a dip in the water at bath time.
11. Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico
One of the most important places of pilgrimage to Catholicism is the Old Basilica in Guadalupe, completed in 1709, and a modern basilica of the 1970s. Together the buildings welcome several million people a year.
12. Cologne Cathedral, Germany
Two twin spires of Cologne's Cathedral serve as a focus for the faithful and visitors: the memorial building is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 20,000 people a day.
13. Thean Hou Temple, Malaysia
One of the largest temples in Southeast Asia, Thein Hou is located in Kuala Lumpur. A six-level structure dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Maju, the architectural design of the temple combines elements of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
14. Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Italy
St. Francis of Assisi is associated with the conservation and natural environment of animals, and this Basilica, established in the Umbria region of Italy, is one of the most important places of Christian pilgrimage in the country.
15. York Minster, England
In addition to being the seat of the Archbishop of York, this impressive cathedral dates back to the 15th century Great East Window, the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world.
16. Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Located in Galicia and historically a pilgrimage centre in the Caleano de Santiago (on the way to St. James) since the early Middle Ages, the cathedral is also one of only three known churches in the world to be built at the tomb of Jesus' apostles. The other two are St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and St. Thomas's Cathedral Basilica in Chennai, India.
17. Itsukushima Shrine, Japan
This Shinto temple on Itsukushima Island is known for its dramatic "floating" Tori Gate (pictured). This temple complex is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Japan.
18. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, India
Located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It's a picturesque setting on the banks of river Ganges is also a favourite spot for religious tourists.
19. Venkateswara Temple, India
Venkateswara Temple, located in the hill town of Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh, is one of the most-visited holy places in the world. An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims make their way here every day.
20. Western Wall, Israel
Known in Islam as the Burak Wall, the sanctity of the Western Wall in Judaism is the result of its proximity to the Temple Mount.
Comments