Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, Arizona. (Photo: Photo Researchers via Getty Images)
We may read from different scriptures and observe different rituals, but when we step inside a house of worship of any tradition, it’s hard not to feel that palpable, familiar atmosphere that sets a place apart as sacred.
Perched on mountaintops and nestled into busy cities are some of the world’s most dazzling sacred sites. If you’re looking for a spiritual pilgrimage, then look no further than these remarkable houses of worship around the globe.
From the red rocks of Arizona to the bustling streets of Moscow, these sacred sites are sure to inspire some wanderlust:
Wat Rong Khun: Chiang Rai, Thailand
Thailand's Wat Rong Khun, or White Temple, attracts thousands of tourists every year with its intricate carvings depicting surprisingly modern figures and themes, including aliens, Superman, and scenes from "The Matrix."
Church of the Transfiguration: Kizhi Island, Russia
Built in the early 18th century, Russia's Church of the Transfiguration features an octagonal spruce and pine log framework with 22 domes covered with birch bark. Construction of the wooden structure began in 1714, and it is said to have been built without a single nail.
Popa Taungkalat Monastery: Mount Popa, Myanmar
Popa Taungkalat Monastery is situated in the shadow of the nearby Mount Popa, a famous pilgrimage site in Myanmar. Visitors can climb 777 steps to this secluded Buddhist monastery to explore numerous shrines and see breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Chapel of the Holy Cross: Sedona, Arizona
The Chapel of the Holy Cross springs out of Sedona's famous red rock and is considered one of Arizona's seven man-made wonders.
Sanctuary of Truth: Pattaya, Thailand
Thailand's Sanctuary of Truth is an all-wood building filled with sculptures based on traditional Buddhist and Hindu motifs. It is covered in intricate wood carvings, meant to depict complex ideas about ancient thought, human responsibility, and the cycle of life.
The Great Synagogue of Florence: Tuscany, Italy
The Tempio Maggiore, or Great Synagogue, of Florence took eight years to build and opened its doors in 1882 near the historic center of the Italian city. It was intended to serve the local Sephardi community, and its design echoes motifs from the Moorish architecture of Spain.
Roussanou Monastery: Thessaly, Meteora, Greece
The Roussanou Monastery is one of six precarious religious sites that rise out of Greece's rock cliffs. The cliffs were first inhabited in the 9th century by hermit monks. Centuries later, the secluded rock pillars provided monks with protection from political upheaval. Although the Meteora rock formation once held 20 monasteries, only six survive today.
Basilique Du Sacré-Coeur: Paris, France
The Sacré-Cœur sits atop the hill of Montmartre, Paris's artistic district. Not only is it one of the most important European basilicas, but it provides a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris' skyline. Visitors can climb 270 steps to the top of the Sacré-Cœur for an unforgettable experience.
Malacca Straits Mosque: Malaysia
The Malacca Straits Mosque is located on a man-made island in Malaysia. This gorgeous mosque is also called the "Floating Mosque" for an illusion it gives off of sitting right on top of the water.
Cathedral of Brasilia: Brasilia, Brazil
This metropolitan cathedral is truly a masterpiece. The innovative hyperboloid structure was designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer and is full of intricate details, from the suspended angels to the sweeping columns.
Angkor Wat: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is the largest religious site in the world, expanding across 162.6 hectares of land. What is now the Angkor Archaeological Park once served as the center of the Khmer Empire, a dominating force in Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century. The inhabited park is intimately connected to nature, and part of its land remains a forest.
The Temple of Heaven: Beijing, China
This intricate temple complex dates back to the 15th century, and in 1998 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is the three-tiered centerpiece to a number of complex structures, each built according to rigid philosophical guidelines.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque: Abu Dhabi, UAE
With its sleek white architecture and tranquil reflecting pool, Abu Dhabi's grand mosque stuns day and night. It is the largest and most important mosque in the United Arab Emirates, drawing over 41,000 people for Eid prayers.
Sagrada Familia: Barcelona, Spain
This whimsical cathedral is renowned as Antoni Gaudí's principal architectural masterpiece. The design is so intricate that the cathedral was not finished in Gaudí's lifetime; it has been under construction since 1882 and is scheduled to be finished in 2026, marking the centennial of Gaudí's death. Don't miss the incredible stained glass interior.
Basilica de Notre Dame, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Located in the heart of Old Montreal, the Notre-Dame basilica is not only an important place of worship, but also a key Canadian landmark. Instead of depicting scenes from the Bible, the Basilica's stained glass features scenes from Montreal's religious history.
Las Lajas Church: Colombia
Located near the border of Colombia and Ecuador, the Las Lajas Sanctuary is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful basilicas in the world. The precarious gothic revival structure is built into the canyon of the Guaitara River, connecting the two banks. The church was constructed in honor of two legendary miracles, and its miraculous location surely pays tribute to these origins.
St. Basil's Cathedral: Moscow, Russia
Saint Basil's Cathedral is the focal point of Moscow's Red Square, its bright colors bound to capture any visitor's eye. This UNESCO World Heritage site's unique architecture resembles a bonfire, with its multi-layered towers rising up towards the sky like flames.
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Vik, Iceland
"To me spirituality has always been linked to the Earth and I often find it above the water, whether its a rock by a pond or a cliff on the edge of the world. My favorite place so far has been in Iceland in a city called Vik. The cliffs there are just about the southern most point in Iceland, sitting on the edge of the cliff you realize that there is nothing in between you and Antarctica, just a straight shot. It was mesmerizing from that point I could see the edges of the world falling off the horizon, I could see so far that with my own eyes I could see the curvature of the Earth." --Jake Reeves, Multimedia Fellow
Lake Wanaka, New Zealand
"This is Lake Wanaka in New Zealand, where I pilgrimaged for re-grounding after a very chaotic and emotional period of my life. The lake reflects the sky and all the earth around it, creating a timeless and spaceless effect. Gazing upon the water, filled with compassion for myself and others, I experienced infinity. I felt intimately connected to everything around me, and embraced a deep sense of peace that Nature always, eventually, finds ways to heal herself." --Antonia Blumberg, Associate Religion Editor
Wherever Your Pets Are
"Through the innocence and gentleness of animals we can reflect on our own shortcomings and strive for a higher, even if unreachable, moral and aesthetic ideal." --Stuart Whatley, Executive Blog Editor
Delaware Water Gap
"I find an extreme amount of spiritual comfort and serenity whenever I am immersed in complete nature and far away from the noises of life. Some of those locations include being on a beach alone at an odd hour, on a quiet trail or laying in a lush green field. Most recently, I felt heightened in my spirituality during a quiet trip I took over the weekend to the Delaware Water Gap between NJ & PA. Experiencing solitude in unadulterated world surrounded trickling waterfalls and untouched greenery helps me reflect and ponder the important things in my life and reconnect with my morals and values." --Rowaida Abdelaziz, WorldPost Social Media Editor
Patagonia
"I remember traveling to the Argentine Patagonia for my birthday in 2012, it was one of the most moving trips I've ever taken. Never had I seen such natural beauty -- from the vibrant greens and red of the changing leaves to the majestically frigid glacier trek on Perito Moreno. The water was a deep icy blue and it wasn't too cold that we couldn't enjoy our hikes and treks outside. I'd never felt more in tune with nature and the world. In fact we stayed in Ushuaia for part of the trip -- it's known as the 'End Of the World.' So it's funny that I had to go to the end of the world to find that peace. It was something really special." --Carolina Moreno, Latino Voices Editor
Self Realization Fellowship, Los Angeles
"The Self Realization Fellowship is a hidden oasis in the city of Los Angeles. The place has almost an aurora that instantly relaxes you when you step in. But what I love the most about it is how it is so accepting of any other kind of religion. There are statues of all the major religious figures in history." --Tiara Chiaramonte, Social Graphics Editor
Ohio River, Kentucky
"My grandmother was deep into Alzheimer's. Long robbed of all her memories and most of her words, she would smile at recognized faces but couldn't remember names or places. For an annual family reunion, my grandfather brought her from their transplanted home in California to their original home in Kentucky. They trekked to the place she was born, the place they had met and started a family. She spent most of her time in a rocking chair on a porch overlooking the Ohio river, surrounded by extended family. At this point it had been nearly a year since she had really spoken and out of nowhere, her eyes affixed on the river, she calmly declared, 'I like this place, I'm happy here.' Ever since then, I can't go back to Kentucky without feeling a spiritual connection to that place and that river: no matter what's going on in my life, I can look out past the banks and find calm in a confusing world." --Carina Kolodny, Director Of Multimedia Platforms
Yoga To The People, NYC
"I was raised as church-going Protestant; I grew up fairly resentful of the religion that had been forced upon me. It wasn't until I set foot in my first yoga studio (Yoga to the People in Williamsburg) in December of 2014 that the concept of spirituality actually resonated with me. Undergoing a difficult period of my life, I was convinced to try yoga by a friend. By the end of this first class I attended, I was reduced to tears -- both of relief that such an emotional and physical roller coaster existed, and of disbelief that I hadn't discovered it earlier in my 23 years. Yoga -- at this studio that exists solely based on donations so as to keep its doors open to all New Yorkers -- has taught me to breathe, to be present and to thank myself for showing up. I couldn't be more grateful." --Molly Bangs, Associate Editor, Special Projects
Big Sur, California
"Big Sur was very spiritual. You feel so secluded from the default world and connected to some of the most spectacular views Mother Nature has to offer." --Maria Tridas, Associate Video Editor
On Solo Travels
"When I'm traveling alone, whether it's in my city or internationally, I feel a sense of peace and awe while observing my surroundings. It's when I think more about my small, small place in this massive universe. I'm always overcome with love and wonder and awe and sincere gratitude." --Sahaj Kohli, Lifestyle Blog Editor. pictured in Peru
Tulum, Mexico
"I've now traveled to Tulum, Mexico to celebrate my birthday for the past two years, and I always feel blessed to be alive and in such a beautiful place where my faith is constantly restored. Having grown up in the black Baptist church, I never would've guessed that my connection to God would deepen outside the pews and on a tropical beach." --Dana Oliver, Executive Fashion & Beauty Editor
A Terrace All To Yourself
"My terrace: It faces the back of the building, and I'm usually the only person in sight when I'm out there (which, as you can imagine, is rare in NYC). It's typically just me, my dog and the birds." --Brooke Sopelsa, Producer, HuffPost Live
Noah Purifoy's Outdoor Museum, Joshua Tree
"Noah Purifoy's Outdoor Museum in Joshua Tree. It's the most beautiful outdoor museum of junk arranged into a sort of city -- as if aliens put together our old objects in nonfunctional ways to recreate human life. There are walls made of busted televisions and sculptures made of old plastic playscapes, giant totems of bowling balls and toilets presented like statues. It's normally pretty empty and in the middle of the desert and the wind makes spooky music when it blows through the old structures just teetering there in empty space. It's a very magical place. This photo is by my bf Micah Hauser!" --Priscilla Frank, Arts & Culture Editor
Gindling Hilltop Jewish Summer Camp in Malibu, California
"Gindling Hilltop Camp in Malibu, California. Camp is a really special place. It's a place where I watched myself grow up. It's a place where I made friends who seem more like family. It's a place that allowed me to realize how special and important my Jewish culture is. Camp served as the foundation of my identity." --Natalie Telson, PR & Communications
St. Jean Beach, Saint Barthélemy
"The beach. Isn't it everybody's spiritual place? For some reason, this one beach, called St. Jean beach in St. Barts, has always felt very home-y and happy to me, which in its own way, is spiritual. The light is always just right, the sand is soft and the waves make this perfectly small crash onto the shore. I've always thought that living in this little house at the end of this divine beach would be like being in heaven." --Kate Auletta, Executive Editor, Voices
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