Temple tourism: seven sacred places from around the world to meet in 2019

In the world, there are different monasteries, temples, churches or sacred places of different religions or beliefs that have become very popular tourist attractions, because of their ancient architecture and the history that they keep between their walls. In this context, Infobae has compiled seven sacred places to know:

Wailing Wall, Jerusalem, Israel

El Muro, also known by his English name West wall or Kotel, is transcendental in the Jewish faith. Thousands of people a day stand in front of the wall to pray. Faith indicates that this structure is the one that remains of the last temple built by Solomon.

Located on the esplanade of the mosques, it was the first of this religion built by Solomon to contain the Ark of the Covenant, within which were kept the sacred tables of the law and the candelabrum of the seven arms. In this imposing structure, believers leave their written demands in papers that they deposit between the cavities of the stones.

Day after day, thousands of tourists come to watch this wall. However, people must follow a dress code that implies that men should wear a hat or hat while the women should cover their arms and legs. The wall can be visited at any time of the day, but at night the experience is even more rewarding and special. And regardless of the religion of the visitor who wants to know the Wailing Wall, the perceived energy is overwhelming.

In South Asia, it is Bhutan. , popular for the many monasteries found throughout the country. However, there is one in particular that stands out from the rest: Takstang This monastery and Buddhist temple, also called "El Nido del Tigre", is located on a cliff, 900 meters above the Paro Valley. The temple was built in the place where Guru Rinpoche, who spread Buddhism in the country, meditated for "three years, three months and three hours" to clean up the place of evil spirits.

Access to the imposing temple is only done on foot or by mule by a two-hour ascent. The incredible monastery has four main temples connected by stairs cut in the rock. Although they receive thousands of tourists each year, this temple maintains certain conditions for those wishing to witness such a sight or the incredible treasures that await this incredible sacred paradise. And it is that to not get into the backpacks, photography equipment and shoes are allowed, which must be deposited in the main entrance.

Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

The mosque of Sultan Ahmet, known worldwide as the blue mosque for the color of the tiles that dazzle the interior, is one of the symbols of the city of Istanbul and a chef-d & # 39; 39, a work of Ottoman architecture with impressive dimensions. Known and admired by architecture enthusiasts for design, it receives hundreds of visitors every day from around the world.

The mosque is formed of a succession of domes that grow to reach the main dome of 23 meters in diameter and 43 meters high. In addition, it is illuminated by the natural light that penetrates through the ceiling glbad next to suspended chandeliers offering a unique feeling of light.

The conditions for visiting the Blue Mosque are to participate outside the hours of prayer of Islam, people have to walk barefoot and their legs can not be taught. In addition, women should wear shoulders and hair completely covered.

Meteora Monastery, Kalambaka, Greece

North of Greece, in Kalambaka, there are six orthodox Christian monasteries on steep rocks of a height of more than 600 meters. The reason for its construction on the heights was to get closer to the Divine. They are: the Great Meteor or Transfiguration, Varlaam, San Nicolás, Roussanou, Holy Trinity and San Esteban.

The largest is Great Meteor and contains a museum of the history of the place, but the most impressive is without a doubt the Katholikón church, whose interior is decorated with 16th century frescoes. All buildings can be visited but it is necessary to cover the shoulders and knees.

Churches dug into the rock of Lalibela, Ethiopia

The small town of Lalibela, Ethiopia, is famous for its eleven medieval churches carved from blocks of rock, without brick, wood, or mortar. The temples belong to the Zagüe dynasty and were built by order of the king of the city to create a new Jerusalem in response to the conquest of the Holy Land by the Muslims.

In addition to the incredible architectural structures, they surprise the different sets of buildings that communicate through tunnels carved into the rock where you can see catacombs and ceremonial pbadages, a real experience for the visitor. The church of San Jorge, or Biete Ghiorgis, is particularly famous for its drawing in the shape of a Greek cross and carved at ground level.

For the moment, people continue to go to Mbad, wrapped in robes and turbans. And although tourists are well received, they have to take off their shoes to enter the churches.

Golden Temple, Amritsar, India

Sri Harmandir Sahib, also known as Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple, is the most famous shrine of Sikhism, since this imposing structure houses the Book of Sacred Religion. In 1577, guru Ram Das dug a ditch at the current location of the temple. Construction began in 1588 by Guru Arjan Dev and ended in 1604.

The temple has three floors that are crowned by a dome of pure gold. It has four entrances, one on each side, symbol of Sikh openness to each of the religions. and it is surrounded by an artificial lake in which they bathe to purify themselves. Visitors should cover their heads, do not wear shoes, do not smoke, do not drink, and in the vicinity, a free accommodation called Gurudwaras is proposed, because the days are intense and more and more tourists choose to sleep near the temple.

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican is the largest and most visited church in the world. Nerve center of the Catholic Church and colossal and majestic architectural work, it is located in the center of Rome and is part of the World Heritage. The interiors of the basilica, its piazza, its statues of angels and its must-see museums are just some of the reasons why go to a place steeped in history and secrecy.

From a length of 218 meters and a height of 136 meters up to the dome, it covers a total area of ​​2.3 hectares. Located on the spot where San Pedro, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus would have been buried, his visit is also an opportunity for visitors to witness works of art without equal. And it's in its construction that they worked with artists such as Donato di Angelo Bramante, Carlo Maderno, Antonio Da Sangallo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who in turn drew the square located in front of the Basilica. The immense dome is an impressive work conceived by Michelangelo and completed, after his death, by Domenico Fontana and Giacomo Della Porta. The ensemble is an architectural marvel of the Renaissance that receives daily thousands of tourists believers and other people eager to witness a wonder in Rome.