One of the things I love about travel are the places of worship that we visit. I’m not spiritual by any means, but I do find an enormous amount of peace and calm whenever my husband and I seek out various religious structures in the places that we visit. It’s like our unspoken rule of hitting every major skyscraper we can or how we always make sure we do two things off of each other’s travel wish list. That’s just what we do when we travel.
These are some of the places of worship around the world (churches, cathedrals, synagoges, temples and mosques) that we’ve visited in the last eight years. They’re all my images, by the way.
Kota Kinabalu City Mosque
Gergiti Holy Trinity Church, Kazbegi, Caucasus Mountains
The Golden Pavilion Temple, Kyoto, Japan
The hubby at Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend, Iowa
Village Church, Wimborne, England
Church in Copenhagen, Denmark
A pagoda at Gyeongbuk Palace, Seoul, South Korea
Makung Daoist Temple, Penghu, Taiwan
A decimated local temple in a small village in the mountains of Northern Laos. This place wasn’t even on the map.
Immaculata Cathedral, Puerto Princesa, Philippines
St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, England
San Sebastian Steel Cathedral, Manila Philippines
Cathedral in Paris, France
A Twin-Spired Church in Amsterdam
Georgian Orthodox Church in Sighnaghi, Georgia
Metheki Church, Tbsili, Georgia
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Beautiful pictures, Carrie! The only one I’ve actually visited was The Golden Pavilion Temple, Kyoto, Japan.
Hi Karl,
Thanks for dropping by. The Golden Pavilion is one of my favorites on this list. It hadn’t occurred to me how many places we’ve actually been to until I wrote this post. It was a bit of an eye-opener!
Gorgeous photos, although I’ve come to expect nothing less from you.
Awww, shucks. I’m blushing.
Some of the best buildings I’ve ever seen. Say what you want about religion, it does inspire incredible architecture!
I agree! Thanks for dropping by, Lindsay.
I love how eclectic different places of worship around the world look. I enjoy taking pictures of them as well, though sometimes I want to take photos where I know I really shouldn’t because of the sacred space.
I am mindful of that as well, Joanna. I very rarely take shots indoors, but I think outdoor shots are more than acceptable if you’re not bothering anyone. I have, on occasion, taken indoor shots with permission, but that’s an entirely different post.
I remember when I went into a Japanese temple for the first time and was blown away by its serenity. Then I went to Thailand and… well… incredible as well but is kinda tacky compared to the simplicity of those in Japan – except Ginkakuji…. which is kinda showy lol.
Places of worship are some of my favourite places to visit! Great post!
Thanks, Margyle. It’s interesting to read people’s perspective here. I love Japanese temples, but I’m a huge fan of the golden Buddha temples in Thailand as well. I think my favorite place of worship to date are the churches and cathedrals in Georgia, Eastern Europe. Those places blew me away!
The churches in every travel spot should never missed. It’s one way of discovering the culture of every place. It’s also one way of thanking god for good life and chances to travel.
I’ve been to Immaculata Cathedral, Puerto Princesa in the Philippines. The church is very good for worship. Everyone must try how it is like being there.
Hi Michael,
It is a beautiful church, isn’t it? There were loads of people there every time we drove by.
I love the style of really old Christian churches…especially Georgian and Armenian ones. They have a feeling of mystique which I find quite alluring.
Me too, Ana. I don’t think I’ve seen any other church quite like the ones found in Georgia. They’re really, really beautiful.
Beautiful images!
Have you ever been to the Catholic church in Shenshan, Wutai, Pingtung County? The exterior isn’t special, but the inside is.
Steve
Hi Steve,
Thanks very much. I haven’t been, but it’s on my list now.