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10 stunning religious monuments around the world 20 February 2018 10 stunning religious monuments around the world 20 February 2018 image image Throughout the passage of time, humankind has gone to great lengths to depict, honour, and exalt their gods. Religious monuments are scattered across the earth, ranging from humble, tranquil places for prayer and worship, to colossal statues that can be seen from miles away. These landmarks are hallmarks of human spirit and tenacity, and for wandering travellers, offer a sweet dose of culture and history. Add these stunning religious monuments to your bucket list for 2018! Christ of the Abyss image Photo: Atlas Obscura We all know of the massive Christ the Redeemer monument. Sitting atop the Corcovado mountain in Brazil’s Tijuca Forest National Park, Christ the Redeemer is one of the seven manmade wonders of the world. It is a must-see for travellers to Brazil, but there is another impressive statue of Jesus Christ unbeknownst to most conventional travellers. While Christ the Redeemer towers above Rio de Janeiro at 38 metres in height, this statue sits 17 metres below sea level. A bronze statue of Christ rests at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, off Italy’s San Fruttuoso Coast. It was submerged in 1954, erected as a tribute to the first Italian scuba diver, Dario Gonzatt. Rising 2.5 metres from the ocean floor, the monument is visible to snorkelers and swimmers on the water’s surface. For a closer look at its carvings, and at the coral ecosystem that’s sprung up on and around the structure, it’s best to slap on some scuba gear. Copycat statues have been made around the world, but Italy’s Christ of the Abyss is the original (and also the oldest). Blue Mosque image Photo: IslamiCity A visit to Istanbul would not be complete without seeing the remarkable Sultan Ahmed Mosque, otherwise more popularly known as the Blue Mosque. Constructed in the 1600s, the structure is a culmination of Ottoman and Byzantine architecture, and lives on today as a historic Islamic landmark. Most mosques have one, two, or four minarets, but the Blue Mosque has a whopping total of six spectacular minarets. Hand-painted blue tiles line the interior of the building, bathing the mosque in soft blue hues during both day and night (thus affording this religious monument its coveted nickname). It is considered to be the most important mosque in Istanbul, and is located next to the Byzantine Hippodrome in the old city center. Guan Yin image Photo: Sunny Hainan On the Chinese island province of Hainan rests an intriguing depiction of Guan Yin, Buddhism’s Goddess of Mercy. This may only be the fourteenth-tallest statue in the world, but it is the tallest statue of Guan Yin to date. It took 6 years to build, with the combined efforts of more than 100 Buddhist monks from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and Mainland China, and of thousands of pilgrims from around the region. This monument rises 108 metres above the south coast of Hainan Island, and bears three faces — one looking towards land, and the other two facing seaward. Each face offers different forms of blessings for China and the world. Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe Chapel image Photo: Pinterest Southern France has a multitude of mountaintop churches, but the Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe Chapel might just be one of the most breathtaking. The year is 951, and one Bishop Godescalc returns to his French village, Le Puy-en-Velay, after having successfully completed an overland pilgrimage to Spain. To celebrate his safe return, the Bishop decided to build a small chapel at the very top of a volcanic core in the middle of town. Today, travellers can visit the 10th-century church by making a 200-step climb up rugged volcanic rock. It’s not an easy climb, but the stunning views at the very top make it all worth it (especially at twilight!) Boudhanath image Photo: Wikipedia One of Kathmandu’s most iconic symbols and a UNESCO world heritage site is the Boudhanath stupa (stupa means dome-shaped Buddhist shrine in Sanskrit). Located in the very outskirts of the city, along what used to be a major trade route centuries ago, the Boudhanath is an important place for pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhists and locals. Believed to have been built in the 6th century, this stupa’s massive mandala is one of the largest in Nepal. The monument is surreal, almost, teeming with centuries of history. Amidst air thick with incense, pilgrims and tourists to Boudhanath circumambulate the stupa — where a single lap spans 150 metres — as a form of meditation and prayer. Borobudur image With dreamy, Insta-worthy sunrise and sunset views, Borobodur has been receiving a fair bit of attention lately — but did you know that it was lost to the jungle for centuries? Borobodur was initially constructed between the 8th and 9th centuries, but was forgotten for a good part of history until it was rediscovered in the 1800s. To date, it is the largest Buddhist temple known to mankind. At seven stories high, the monument is composed of two million cubic feet of stone, and densely decorated with over 500 Buddha statues. Each of these levels are symbolic in Buddhist cosmology. Pilgrims begin their journey from the base of the monument, following a winding path as they ascend to the top (spanning more than three kilometres). This amazing religious structure is a must-visit for your bucket list. Lord Murugan image Photo: Flickr At 42 metres tall, the world’s tallest Hindu statue — a depiction of the deity Lord Murugan — took three years, 1550 cubic metres of concrete, 250 tonnes of steel, and more than 300 litres of gold paint to create. It has become an iconic symbol of Malaysian tourism in the few years since it was built (having been in completed in 2006). The statue stands proudly outside Batu Caves, a limestone labyrinth said to be 400 million years old, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For an unforgettable spectacle, plan your visit during the annual Thaipusam festival. You’ll be able to witness Lord Murugan’s devotees walking across fiery coals, chanting hymns and prayers, and carrying brilliantly coloured kavadis. Darbar Sahib image Photo: Wikipedia The picture above may be a piece of art, but on clear nights we’d imagine this is exactly how the Darbar Sahib glitters in the moonlight. The Darbar Sahib, known also as the Golden Temple, sits in the middle of a man-made pool in the city of Amritsar, in Punjab, India. The temple was built in the 16th century, but was repeatedly destroyed in wars over the centuries; it was also repeatedly rebuilt, the last instance being in 1830 with marble and copper. It was then also that the central sanctum was first wrapped with its now distinctive gold foil. Having survived for centuries, the temple is a symbol of mankind’s sheer determination. Known traditionally as Sri Harmandir Sahib, which in local tongue literally means “the abode of God,” the Darbar Sahib is the holiest religious shrine in Sikhism. Most Sikhs will visit Amritsar and the Darbar Sahib at least once during their lifetime. Pilgrims flock to the Golden Temple during important religious festivals as well, such as Vaisakhi and Diwali. It is also during festivals that the temple is decked out in pretty lights, and fireworks are launched into the sky, illuminating the Golden Temple in all its glory. Leshan Giant Buddha image Photo: Wikipedia The next religious monument on our list is more than 1,200 years old, and in 1996 was declared a UNESCO world heritage site. The Leshan Giant Buddha, located in the Mount Emei Scenic Area in China’s Sichuan province, is a historical relic — and a sight to behold. Over a millennia ago, devotees carved a giant, 71-metre high sitting Buddha into a cliff face, where it still stands (or sits) mightily today. The backstory behind this stone monument is an intriguing one, too — the construction was led by a Chinese monk who hoped the Buddha would calm the raging river beneath it, in order to allow ships to pass through safely. And calm the river it did; the stones that fell into the riverbed during construction actually helped to smooth the currents. Delphi image Photo: Greece Is Visiting Greece? We’ve all heard of the Parthenon or the Temple of Zeus, but here’s another ancient religious monument that deserves a little more attention — the UNESCO world heritage site, Delphi. Today, perched on the southwestern slopes of Mount Parnassus, Delphi appears to be just another ancient temple complex, run into ruins by the sands of time. Centuries ago however, Delphi was an important gathering place, and the very heart of the cult of Apollo. The ancient Greeks thought this to be sacred grounds and the centre of the world, chosen by Zeus himself. The massive site held temples, shrines, and even a stadium. Back then, commoners and statesmen alike would visit Delphi to speak to the Oracle — a female priestess who would enter trances (by inhaling toxic volcanic fumes) and utter divine messages from the Gods. About the author: Cherylene Renee is an adrenaline junkie, with a thirst for travel and adventure. She bungee jumps, scuba dives, and hunts for the world’s most insane rollercoasters. Check out her adventures and travel tips on Wandersugar.com, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.