Sacred Buildings
Around the world, spiritual beliefs have inspired great architecture. This overview of sacred buildings includes churches, temples, cathedrals, mosques and shrines. For all the links, be sure to scroll past the ad.
Sea Ranch Chapel
Artist and architectural designer James Hubbell used wood and stained glass to sculpt the unique Sea Ranch Chapel in Gualala, on the coast of California, USA. The non-denominational chapel has stained glass inserts and mosaic tile floors. In 1985, the California Council of the American Institute of Architects awarded James Hubbell for this project and for his 30 years' work in design, sculpture, wood, glass, stone and metal.
Artist and architectural designer James Hubbell used wood and stained glass to sculpt the unique Sea Ranch Chapel in Gualala, on the coast of California, USA. The non-denominational chapel has stained glass inserts and mosaic tile floors. In 1985, the California Council of the American Institute of Architects awarded James Hubbell for this project and for his 30 years' work in design, sculpture, wood, glass, stone and metal.
Sacred Buildings
In this photo gallery you will find pictures and descriptions of sacred buildings, including churches, cathedrals, temples, shrines, and mosques.
In this photo gallery you will find pictures and descriptions of sacred buildings, including churches, cathedrals, temples, shrines, and mosques.
Engineered for Heaven
A brief history of Gothic architecture, with diagrams, plans, illustrations and links. From your Guide to Architecture.
A brief history of Gothic architecture, with diagrams, plans, illustrations and links. From your Guide to Architecture.
Al Kadhimain Mosque in Baghdad, Iraq
Elaborate tilework covers the Al Kadhimain mosque in Baghdad's Al Kadhimain district.
Elaborate tilework covers the Al Kadhimain mosque in Baghdad's Al Kadhimain district.
Assumpution Cathedral in Moscow
When Ivan III established a unified Russian state, he asked the celebrated Italian architect, Alberti (also known as Aristotle) Fioravanti, to design a grand new cathedral on the site of a modest church.
When Ivan III established a unified Russian state, he asked the celebrated Italian architect, Alberti (also known as Aristotle) Fioravanti, to design a grand new cathedral on the site of a modest church.
Bagsværd Church by Jørn Utzon
Pritzker Prize winning architect Jørn Utzon discusses his design for Bagsværd Church in Denmark.
Pritzker Prize winning architect Jørn Utzon discusses his design for Bagsværd Church in Denmark.
Barbados: Gothic Churches
Photos and a clickable map, from the Barbados tourism site.
Photos and a clickable map, from the Barbados tourism site.
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue - Ecclesiastical Architect
Your starting place for exploring the life and works of Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, who revolutionized church architecture and popularized Hispanic styles.
Your starting place for exploring the life and works of Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, who revolutionized church architecture and popularized Hispanic styles.
Chartres Cathedral
Facts and photos for the Chartres Cathedral, one of the most famous cathedrals in France.
Facts and photos for the Chartres Cathedral, one of the most famous cathedrals in France.
Church of St. Denis
The Church of St. Denis became a model for late 12th-century cathedrals in France. Here are facts and photos.
The Church of St. Denis became a model for late 12th-century cathedrals in France. Here are facts and photos.
Church of the Transfiguration in Russia
Built in 1714 during the reign of Peter the Great, the Church of the Transfiguration has 22 soaring onion domes sheathed in hundreds of aspen shingles. No nails were used in the construction of the cathedral.
Built in 1714 during the reign of Peter the Great, the Church of the Transfiguration has 22 soaring onion domes sheathed in hundreds of aspen shingles. No nails were used in the construction of the cathedral.
Cleveland's Tremont Churches
Many historic churches are clustered in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Within a one and a half mile radius, there are excellent examples of Victorian, Gothic, and Russian Orthodox architecture. See photos.
Many historic churches are clustered in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Within a one and a half mile radius, there are excellent examples of Victorian, Gothic, and Russian Orthodox architecture. See photos.
Dome of the Rock Mosque
Built in the seventh century, the Dome of the Rock Mosque is the oldest surviving example of Islamic architecture and today remains one of the most beautiful.
Built in the seventh century, the Dome of the Rock Mosque is the oldest surviving example of Islamic architecture and today remains one of the most beautiful.
Estonia: Oleviste Church
Probably the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1500. Photo by Toomas Tamm.
Probably the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1500. Photo by Toomas Tamm.
Hassan II Mosque in Morocco
Hassan II Mosque is the largest religious monument in the world after Mecca. Although it was designed by a French architect, it is Moroccan through and through.
Hassan II Mosque is the largest religious monument in the world after Mecca. Although it was designed by a French architect, it is Moroccan through and through.
Hong Kong Temples
From your About Guide to Hong Kong Travel, a photo tour of colorful temples to Tin Hau and other gods and goddesses.
From your About Guide to Hong Kong Travel, a photo tour of colorful temples to Tin Hau and other gods and goddesses.
Kizhi Wooden Churches
The island of Kizhi, located on Lake Onega north-east of St. Petersburg, is reknown for its remarkable array of wooden churches.
The island of Kizhi, located on Lake Onega north-east of St. Petersburg, is reknown for its remarkable array of wooden churches.
Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague
The Old Jewish Cemetery in Josefov, the Jewish Quarter of Prague, was created in the 15th century when Jews were forbidden to bury their dead outside their own district.
The Old Jewish Cemetery in Josefov, the Jewish Quarter of Prague, was created in the 15th century when Jews were forbidden to bury their dead outside their own district.
Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudí
La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of Gaudí's most impressive works. This enormous church, as yet unfinished, is in some respect a summary of everything that Gaudí designed before.
La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of Gaudí's most impressive works. This enormous church, as yet unfinished, is in some respect a summary of everything that Gaudí designed before.
Six Great French Cathedrals
Follow this suggested itinerary for your own tour of France's most important cathedrals, with stops in Paris, Strasbourg, Nice, Rodez, Lourdes, and Chartres.
Follow this suggested itinerary for your own tour of France's most important cathedrals, with stops in Paris, Strasbourg, Nice, Rodez, Lourdes, and Chartres.
Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia
Designed by the famous Italian architect, Rastrelli, Smolny Cathedral celebrates the Rococo style.
Designed by the famous Italian architect, Rastrelli, Smolny Cathedral celebrates the Rococo style.
St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square
Located just outside the Kremlin gates in Moscow, St. Basil's is a carnival of painted onion domes.
Located just outside the Kremlin gates in Moscow, St. Basil's is a carnival of painted onion domes.
Wales: Tintern Abbey
Good photo collection of the abbey ruins in Wales, from Welsh Castle Tours.
Good photo collection of the abbey ruins in Wales, from Welsh Castle Tours.
War-Damaged Mosque in Baghdad
During his travels, Daniel B. Grünberg observed fifty mosques that had been damaged by bomb fragments and blasts during past warfare in Baghdad. This photograph was taken in May, 2001.
During his travels, Daniel B. Grünberg observed fifty mosques that had been damaged by bomb fragments and blasts during past warfare in Baghdad. This photograph was taken in May, 2001.
Church Crawler
A fum eclectic site compiled by Phil Draper. Photos, essays, interesting facts about famous and obscure churches and cathedrals, mostly in England and Europe.
A fum eclectic site compiled by Phil Draper. Photos, essays, interesting facts about famous and obscure churches and cathedrals, mostly in England and Europe.