Religious buildings are purpose-built buildings to offer prayers to God. Such premises are available in all countries of the world. All of them have external differences both in architecture and in the interior. It depends on the faith of the people of a given nation, on the historical and cultural features of the country. But in all places of worship, rituals of service to God are held, prayers are read, sermons are delivered.
In different countries they relate to the construction of such buildings in their own way. Some adhere to tradition, while others use modern technology and construction trends. Many places of worship are ancient unique buildings that belong to the cultural world heritage.
The beauty of churches, mosques, cathedrals, Buddhist temples is amazing. Tourists from all over the world admire the ancient monasteries and wooden carved churches of Russia. Millions of pilgrims make annual trips across half the globe to join God and pray in the most significant structures for every religion.
In the article, we consider several notable religious buildings located in the Russian Federation and other countries of the world.
Kazan
In the Kazan Kremlin, on the banks of the mighty Volga River, is the most beautiful and significant mosque in Tatarstan called Kul-Sharif. Many people come to Kazan to admire such a landmark of the city. Although this is a modern building (work began in 1996), but it was recreated according to the drawings and preserved information about the legendary mosque that existed in the capital of the Kazan Khanate back in the 16th century. The mosque in Kazan was destroyed in 1552 during the assault on the city by the army of Moscow Tsar Ivan the Terrible.
The reconstructed temple was named in honor of the last ruler, the imam and the head of the defensive operations of the capital.
The mosque in Kazan consists of a building with numerous minarets, two pavilions on the sides of the temple, a courtyard in the form of a square and a nearby utility room. All buildings are united by a common style and look complex. The building is perfectly visible from the embankment of the Kazanka River. On all postcards of the city you can see photos of this beautiful building. About 1.5 thousand people come to the service. In the square in front of the temple, another 10,000 Muslims will be able to pray and listen to the service.
Angkor Wat
This is not just a temple in Cambodia, it is a huge complex consisting of beautiful buildings. Its construction dates back to the 12th century, when King Suryavarman II ruled the country. Angkor Wat is located near the modern city of Siem Reap. The area of the temple complex - 200 km2. However, excavations and testimonies of historians studying Cambodia say that earlier it could reach 3,000 km2.
It belonged to the city with 500 thousand inhabitants. You can call it the largest settlement of people of antiquity. A Hindu temple was built to glorify the god Vishnu. It has the shape of Mount Meru from the myths of the country. This is the mountain on which the gods lived. The temple complex is surrounded by a wall and a large moat with water. The central structure reaches 65 meters in height. Since the 15th century it is considered a Buddhist religious building.
Now the temple is abandoned, although crowds of tourists from all over the world come to it every year and its image is on the flag of the country.
Shwedagon Pagoda
This is a sacred Buddhist temple located in Myanmar. The splendor of 27 tons of gold covering the pagoda is visible for many kilometers.The tower 98 meters high contains the main relics of the country - pieces of clothing, a staff and God's hair, which are hidden under a stone made of gold.
According to legend, this hair had extraordinary power. An extraordinary brilliance emanated from them. When the rays hit the human body, he was healed of diseases, and a hail of precious stones fell under his feet. At this place, residents thankful to God erected a pagoda in the shape of a golden stupa.
Orthodox cathedrals
The cathedral is a special temple that belongs to Christian places of worship. The main temples of the country, city, monastery receive a special status. Let's look at the cathedral church located on the Red Square of the capital of Russia. This is the famous St. Basil's Cathedral.
The temple was built on the personal instructions of Tsar Ivan the Terrible in 1561. The cathedral was built for six years. The laying of the temple was dedicated to the victory over the old enemy of Russia - the Kazan Khanate. Firstly, an entire state was captured, and this was the first time in the history of Russia, secondly, the campaign was also carried out with a religious purpose (against infidels).
The cathedral building has a unique design, the author of which is not known for certain. Ten domes have a different structure. Around the central building are churches, which symbolize all the holidays available for the period of the battle. Bulbous domes amaze the imagination of all people. This is a symbol of Moscow and Russia in general. Often the cathedral is depicted on postcards of the sights of the capital.
Pagan shrines
The opinions of historians about the pagan beliefs of the Eastern Slavs were divided. Some believed that people brought prayers on the field, in the forest, on the banks of rivers, in general, in nature. Others are convinced that nevertheless the ancient Slavs also had cult buildings, which were represented by images of gods carved from wood or stone. These idols were located in a separate place, and the priests led the service.
Archeologists often found special pagan religious buildings with a pit for sacrifices far from people's homes. These were round temples, lined with stones and fenced in a circle. In the settlements of the Slavs there was a long building for public gatherings, and so, most often the temples were found near such houses.
Ancient churches of Russia
One of the most famous wooden churches in the world is considered a beautiful building on the island of Kizhi. Sailing on Lake Onega in boats, it seems that the domes sparkle with silver. This is the Church of the Transfiguration. The pearl of Karelia was built in 1714 by craftsmen of wooden architecture in the place where the old church was previously burnt in fire from lightning.
22 domes with "scales" rise to a height of 37 meters. This building is used for services only in the summer. In winter, it is not used to avoid fires. The domes are arranged in different tiers, which adds originality to the temple, which is assembled by craftsmen without nails. Only the embellishing bulbs of the "scale" domes from carved wooden planks are nailed with small nails.
Synagogues
The oldest Jewish religious building in the synagogue is located in the Czech capital, the beautiful city of Prague. Not far from the central part of the city is the Jewish quarter with a cemetery and, of course, a synagogue. This is the house of worship of Jews professing Judaism.
It was built in the Gothic style in 1270. This is the oldest prayer room, which is also actively operating to this day. His name is interesting - Old-New. After the church was built in Josefov (a quarter in the center of Prague), it was called Nova. But in the 16th century, Jewish prayer houses began to be built, so this one began to be called differently - Old-New.