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10 Best Countries for Sacred Architecture

by Peter Steyn - Editor, GlobeRovers
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Amir Chakhmagh Mosque, Yazd, Iran
Amir Chakhmagh Mosque, Yazd, Iran

The world offers many places with incredible sacred architecture – many of which are centuries old. From the Mayan, Aztec, and Inca architecture in the Americas, to the Khmer in Cambodia and the Mahayana Buddhist Temples in Indonesia. From historical European civilizations to the ancient structures of the Middle East. Evil acts have been committed in Iraq and Syria, while in Nepal a recent earthquake destroyed many buildings. Nepal offers unrivalled architecture in the Kathmandu Valley. 

Choosing the Top 10 has been difficult. A few places that almost made the list include Syria, Georgia, Myanmar, Japan, Brunei, and the ancient architecture across Guatemala, Peru, Indonesia, and Cambodia.

Here are my top 10 greatest countries for sacred architecture.


1. Nepal’s Sacred Architecture

Landlocked along the southern flanks of the Himalayan Mountains, Nepal‘s neighbours are Tibet to the north, and India along the western, southern, and eastern borders. 

Popular among adventure and culture seekers, Nepal is known for its incredible mountain scenery, vibrant culture, and most of all, its historical architecture.  

Sadly, on April 25, 2015, a massive earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck near Lamjung, northwest of the capital, Kathmandu. This quake was followed by hundreds of aftershocks. Two weeks later, on May 12th, another quake with a magnitude of 7.3 struck to the northeast of Kathmandu. More than 9,000 people lost their lives with more than 22,000 being injured – including locals and foreign tourists. The quake not only devastated people’s lives, it also changed the mountainous landscape and destroyed much of Nepal’s priceless cultural heritage. Architectural masterpieces were left in ruins across the nation. 

The Royal Palace, Durbar Square, Patan, Nepal
The Royal Palace, Durbar Square, Patan, Nepal

Historical building at Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal
Historical building at Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal

2. Russia’s Sacred Architecture

The Russian Orthodox Church was founded by the Apostle Andrew who lived under the Roman Empire during the mid to late 1st century. Since then the Church in Russia has been through a tumultuous time and suffered incredibly under the Mongol and the Soviet rules when many buildings were destroyed or used as storage. 

Russia still has a wealth of sacred architecture, most notably those in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Veliky Novgorod and along the Golden Ring of towns northeast of Moscow. While not exactly “sacred”, the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow is incredible.

The St. Ipaty Monastery, Kostroma, Russia
The St. Ipaty Monastery, Kostroma, Russia
Vitoslavitsy Museum of Folk Wooden Architecture outside Veliky Novgorod, Russia
Vitoslavitsy Museum of Folk Wooden Architecture outside Veliky Novgorod, Russia

3. Tibet’s Sacred Architecture

Over the centuries the Himalayan people of Tibet developed a distinct culture, partly influenced by their neighbours – India, Nepal, and China. Buddhism is the foundation and had the strongest influence on the architecture of sacred buildings. 

Tibet’s most sacred building is the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. Founded in the 7th century, hundreds of pilgrims from across the country are prostrating around the temple every day. Across Tibet are many colourful monasteries, temples and shrines.

Jokhang monastery, Tibet--
Jokhang monastery, Lhasa, Tibet
Drepung Monastery, Lhasa, Tibet
Drepung Monastery, Lhasa, Tibet

4. Mexico’s Sacred Architecture

The ancient civilizations of the Mayan, Aztec and the Inca built some of the most impressive sacred architecture across the Americas. The time period of these Mesoamerican empires stretched from 900 AD to 1532. 

Some of the most notable architecture is still standing in Mexico (Chichen Itza, Palenque, Teotihuacan), Guatemala (Tikal, El Mirador), Belize (Caracol, Cahal Pech), Honduras (Copán), Ecuador (Ingapirca, Rumicucho Pucara), and Peru (Machu Picchu, Winay Wayna, Ollantaytambo).

Mayan temple ruins at Palenque, Mexico
Mayan temple ruins at Palenque, Mexico
Piramide Del Sol, Teotihuacan, Mexico
Piramide Del Sol, Teotihuacan, Mexico

5. Ukraine’s Sacred Architecture

The Orthodox Church in Ukraine suffered similar fates as those across the former USSR where churches were decommissioned or destroyed. 

Among the oldest churches still standing today are the Saint Sophia Cathedral (Kyiv), Saint Cyril’s Monastery (Kyiv), and the Saviour Cathedral (Chernihiv). While these churches were originally built in the 11th and 12th centuries, they have suffered under several wars and destruction by the Soviets. They had to be rebuilt several times.

Cathedral of the Dormition, Monastery of the Caves (Kiev Pechersk Lavra), Kiev, Ukraine
Cathedral of the Dormition, Monastery of the Caves (Kiev Pechersk Lavra), Kiev, Ukraine
St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, Kiev, Ukraine
St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, Kiev, Ukraine

6. Armenia’s Sacred Architecture

Armenia is most famous for its many ancient Christian monasteries. More than 60 monasteries and churches are dotted across the country. 

Among the oldest current buildings are those at the Etchmiadzin Cathedral erected in the year 483. The Saint Hripsime Church was built in 618 AD. 

Among those not to be missed are the Khor Virap Monastery, Goshavank Monastery, Geghard Monastery and the Saghmosavank Monastery.

Haghartsin Monastery, near Dilijan, Northern Armenia
Haghartsin Monastery, near Dilijan, Northern Armenia
Mayr Tachar Cathedral, Echmiadzin, Armenia
Mayr Tachar Cathedral, Echmiadzin, Armenia

7. Romania’s Sacred Architecture

In the far northeastern part of Romania, near the borders with Moldova and Ukraine, lies the area of Bukovina. Its largest city, Suceava, is known for its sacred architecture, including the so-called “painted monasteries of Bukovina”.

Walls are decorated masterpieces of Byzantine art with elaborate 15th and 16th century frescoes featuring portraits of saints and prophets, as well as scenes from the life of Jesus, images of angels and demons, and heaven and hell.

Moldovita Monastery, Bucovina near Suceava, Romania
Moldovita Monastery, Bucovina near Suceava, Romania
Sucevita Monastery, Bucovina near Suceava, Romania
Sucevita Monastery, Bucovina near Suceava, Romania

8. Iran’s Sacred Architecture

Persian architecture dates back to at least 5000 BC. The current sacred architecture was created by the invading Muslim Arabs since 651 AD.

Most of the mosques and mausoleums still standing today were built around the 15th and 17th centuries. 

Some of the best places to experience the Persian and Islamic architecture is in Tehran, Khorasan, Yazd, Isfahan, Kashan, Qazvin, and Tabriz. Don’t miss the Amir Chakhmagh Mosque in Yazd!

Amir Chakhmagh Mosque, Yazd, Iran
Amir Chakhmagh Mosque, Yazd, Iran
Imam Mosque, Esfahan, Iran
Imam Mosque, Esfahan, Iran

9. Uzbekistan’s Sacred Architecture

The Islamic faith was brought to the Uzbeks by the Arabs in the 8th century. However, its wasn’t until the 14th century when the Tamerlane (a Turco-Mongol conqueror) constructed many religious structures, including the Bibi-Khanym Mosque in Samarkand. During the Soviet era and their anti-religious campaigns many mosques were closed under Stalin’s reign.

Today the best preserved sacred architecture can be seen in Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent.  Read more: 10 Great experiences in Uzbekistan

Barak Khan Madrasah at the Khast Imam complex, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Barak Khan Madrasah at the Khast Imam complex, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Mohammed Rahim Khan Medressa, Khiva, Uzbekistan
Mohammed Rahim Khan Medressa, Khiva, Uzbekistan

10. India’s Sacred Architecture

India has a multi-religious collection of sacred architecture. The country was crisscrossed by trading routes of merchants who established Buddhism, Hinduism and Islamic architecture.

Choosing the most impressive structure is difficult. Among the big contenders are Agra’s 17th century Taj Mahal (Agra), Badrinath Temple, (Uttarakhand), Mahabodhi Temple (Bodh Gaya), Akshardham Temple (Delhi), Laxminarayan Temple (Delhi), and Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam). 

Taj Mahal, Agra, INDIA
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, India
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, India


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