Temples are architectural structures that are designed to perform religious rites and services. However, it can be said that the significance of temples is often much wider than the ritual functions they perform and the religious ideas they embody.
The first temples of the world appeared in ancient times and not only as religious buildings - they reflected the search for God inherent in man. Throughout human history, they have been an integral part of the city's landscape, and many of them have become so famous that they have become symbols.
Temples of the Ancient World
The very first temples in Ancient Egypt, which are known to modern science, were built in the fourth millennium BC. They were shaped like thatched huts. The last completed temple is at Philae. It ceased to be used for its intended purpose only in the VI century.
Karnak
One of the main attractions of Egypt is the badly damaged Karnak. It is recognized as the largest ancient temple in the world. The structure is the creation of many generations of builders in Egypt.
Karnak temple consists of three buildings - small closedbuildings and several external ones located north of Luxor (2.5 km). It took several thousand years to build and organize the fortification of the majestic temple of Karnak. However, the bulk of the work at Karnak was carried out by the pharaohs of the New Kingdom. The most famous structure in Karnak is considered to be the Hypostyle Hall, whose area is 50 thousand square meters. It has 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows.
Temples of Abu Simbel
Temples of the world sometimes amaze with their unusualness. For example, the temples (double) of Abu Simbel were carved into the slopes of the mountain. This happened during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses the Great in the 13th century BC. e. The temples have become an eternal monument to Ramesses and his queen Nefertari.
Temple of Edfu
Temples of the world were often built and dedicated to the gods. So the temple of Edfu was built in honor of the God Falcon Horus. It is the second largest temple in Egypt after Karnak and one of the best preserved. It began to be built in 237 BC. e. In those days, Ptolemy III was in power. The work was completed two centuries later (in 57 BC). The structure is made up of traditional Egyptian temple elements, as well as a few Greek elements, such as Mammisi (birth house).
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Orthodox churches of the world were built in different countries. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was built on Mount Golgotha, the site of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here he was martyred.
Founded by his mother, Emperor Constantine, Helen, in 335. One day she foundunderground premises of the temple of Venus, which used to stand on this site, a cave with the Holy Sepulcher and the Cross on which Jesus was crucified. There is a legend that three absolutely identical crosses were found in the dungeon at once. In order to find out which of them is real, Elena in turn touched them to the Coffin with the body of the deceased. When the real Cross touched him, a miracle happened - the dead man was resurrected.
St. Isaac's Cathedral
The most beautiful temples in the world are admired not only by parishioners. The tourists who visit them also admire the beautiful buildings. The majestic St. Isaac's Cathedral is a vivid example of Russian religious architecture. Many experts are sure that this is one of the most beautiful domed structures in the world. It is located in our northern capital. The temple can accommodate up to 12 thousand people at the same time. Previously, people came here for worship, but now it is mostly tourists. The temple received the status of a historical and art museum in 1937.
The diameter of the outer dome of the temple is twenty-five meters. More than a hundred kilograms of pure gold were spent to cover the central one, as well as the domes on the bell towers. A 100-meter-high colonnade above the dome offers a striking view of the city center and the banks of the Neva.
The biggest temples
Christian churches of the world differ in architectural styles, interior decoration, the presence of certain shrines. Nevertheless, all of them are priceless monuments of history and architecture.
The most majestic religiousbuilding of our country - the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, located in Moscow. Initially, the temple was built according to the design of the famous architect Ton. It began to be erected in 1839. Unfortunately, in 1931, the temple, as well as many cathedrals and churches in our country, was destroyed, and it was recreated in 1997.
The height of the temple is 105 meters. The building has the shape of an equilateral cross (width - 85 m). The temple can simultaneously accommodate 10 thousand people. The interior decoration impresses with luxury, which was borrowed from the Byzantine religion (Orthodox).
St. Peter's Cathedral
The famous temples of the world are a place of pilgrimage. This fully applies to St. Peter's Basilica - the largest temple of the Vatican. It is believed that this is the largest temple in the world. Its length is 212 meters, width - 150 m, occupied area - more than 22 thousand m22. The height with the cross on the dome is 136 meters. The cathedral simultaneously accommodates about 60 thousand people.
The temple was built in the 16th century by such great masters as Raphael, Michelangelo, Donato Bramante. The magnificent building is more than five centuries old. Previously, there was a circus in this place, in which, in the time of Nero, Christians were tortured and put to a terrible death. The apostle Peter was also brought here. He asked to be executed differently from Christ and was crucified upside down.
Three centuries later, Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of a basilica in honor of St. Peter, and in 1452 Nicholas V (Pope of Rome) began the construction of the cathedral. The temple was under construction for 120 years. In 1667G. Lorenzo Bernini designed the square in front of the cathedral, which accommodates all the faithful who wish to receive a blessing.
St. Peter's Cathedral is the prototype for the creation of many major churches in the world, for example, Dame de la Pe in the city of Yamoussoukro. It was built in 1989. The building area is 30 thousand square meters. It can accommodate 20 thousand people. In addition, the cathedral served as a model for St. Paul's Church (London). The dimensions of the building are 170 x 90 m. The author of the project is architect Christopher Wren.
Temples of the World: Forbidden Mosque
This is the main shrine of the Muslim world. In her courtyard is the Kaaba. The mosque was built in 638. According to the Decree of the King of Saudi Arabia, the mosque has been reconstructed since 2007.
During the construction work in the northern direction, the territory increased to 400 thousand square meters. Now the mosque can accommodate 1.12 million parishioners. But two minarets are still under construction. Given the territory, two and a half million people will be able to participate in the ceremonies held here at the same time.
The most beautiful temples
Certainly, for true believers, the most beautiful temples are in their cities, where they go to worship. Nevertheless, there are such cathedrals in the world that arouse the admiration of all people on our planet. We will tell you about some of them.
Notre Dame Cathedral
The location of this cathedral on the Ile de la Cité (Paris) is not accidental. In ancient times there was a pagan temple of Jupiter, then - the first Christian church of Paris (St. Stephen's Basilica). The construction of the cathedral began in 1163. It lasted over two hundred years.
The temple is made mainly in the Gothic style, but the towers differ greatly in their appearance. This is due to the fact that different architects took part in the work.
The cathedral carefully stores one of the most important Christian relics - the Crown of Thorns of Christ, which was brought here from Jerusalem. There is no traditional wall painting inside the cathedral. But the huge colored stained-glass windows on the windows illustrate biblical scenes. There is a legend that the famous Emmanuel bell, weighing 13 tons, was cast from women's jewelry.
Sagrada Familia
This cathedral is located in Barcelona (Spain). The construction of the grandiose structure lasted more than forty years under the supervision of the architect Gaudi, and today it is not completed.
This is due to the fact that the initiators of the construction set a condition: the temple should be built only on donations from parishioners. Modern experts believe that construction will be completed in 2026. The temple has the shape of a Latin cross, the facade is decorated with sayings from the Bible.
St. Basil's Cathedral
The magnificent Orthodox church is located in Moscow, on Red Square. It is named after Vasily (the holy fool), who dared to express dissatisfaction with the reign of Tsar Ivan the Terrible.
The temple was called Trinity until the 17th century. It was built in the middle of the 16th century. According to legend, Ivan the Terrible ordered the architect to be blinded in order toin the future, he could never create something like that. For several centuries, the temple has been a visiting card not only of the capital, but of the whole of Russia. Today it is included in the UNESCO heritage list. Today, a branch of the historical museum is located here.
