The world is full of mysterious monuments of human civilization, each of which hides hundreds and even thousands of years of history. Ancient stone walls, floors decorated with intricate mosaic tiles, ceilings painted by brilliant artists: people have always attached great importance to their sanctuaries - we are generally very religious by nature. Of course, it is simply impossible to visit all the monuments of mystical architecture existing on Earth. But it is quite possible to see at least the most important of the architectural and religious heritage of mankind - try to start with this list.
Machu Picchu. Peru
The famous Inca city was built in the 15th century. Machu Picchu is located high on a mountain range that dominates the Sacred Valley of Peru. Archaeologists suggest that the city was built as an estate for one of the Inca emperors, Pachakutu.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque. UAE
It is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the eighth largest mosque in the world. The building was built between 1996 and 2007 and is still one of the main places of pilgrimage for Muslims from all over the planet.
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Mesquite. Cordoba, Spain
Another medieval mosque, built in 784, was taken over by the Catholics and converted into a Roman Catholic cathedral in 1236. Mesquita is considered the most famous piece of Moorish architecture.
Saint Paul's Cathedral. Rome, Italy
The Catholic Cathedral of St. Peter is the largest building in the Vatican, revered by Christians around the world. It is here that the mystical ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church have been held for several hundred years.
Angkor Wat. Cambodia
This Buddhist temple complex is the largest religious monument in the world. Khmer king Suryavarman II built the temple in the 12th century.
Bayon Temple Siem Reap, Cambodia
And here is a monument of Khmer culture. The Bayon Temple was built at the end of the 12th century. Its distinctive feature is massive stone sculptures located on the numerous towers of the building.
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. Saint-Petersburg, Russia
The famous Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on Spilled Blood, or the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, was built on the site where Emperor Alexander II was mortally wounded. Built in the classical Russian style, the temple in many ways resembles the Moscow Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed.
Gettysburg National Military Park. Gettysburg, USA
The War Park Memorial is dedicated to the bloodiest and fiercest battle of the American Civil War - it was here that the outcome of the confrontation between North and South was decided.
Borobudur Temple. Indonesia
A very remarkable architectural complex occupies the entire top of a rather high hill: the Borobudur temple is distinguished by an unusual stepped structure with incredibly skillful stone painting - many walls and steps of the building are covered with it.
Taj Mahal. Agra, India
This marble mausoleum was built by the Mughal emperor Sha Jahan: the inconsolable ruler ordered to erect a monumental building in memory of the late third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The construction was completed in 1632.