Here’s a collection of photos capturing the beauty of sacred spaces—churches, temples, shrines, and cathedrals. Each has its own unique charm, from the intricate stained glass and towering spires of cathedrals to the serene simplicity of Japanese shrines and temples. These places, steeped in history and spirituality, offer stunning architecture and peaceful atmospheres that inspire awe and reflection.
Can you spot the errors ChatGPT did when describing the photo: The scene unfolds beneath the wooden eaves of Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Jinja, during the New Year visit when half of the region seems to turn up at once. Two monks kneel quietly on the raised platform, heads bowed, wrapped in dark robes that soak up…
New Year visit at the Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Jinja, one of the oldest and most important Shinto shrines in the Kanto region, tucked inside a surprisingly vast forest in Omiya. A long gravel approach lined with towering trees slows you down nicely, even if your mind is racing ahead. The shrine itself feels calm and…
Tori-no-Ichi at Ohtori Shrine near Sugamo has a cosy, neighbourhood mood that feels different from the big Asakusa version. The lanterns glow softly along the narrow approach, and the air smells of grilled squid, sweet amazake and those smoky little charcoal stoves the food vendors love. You tend to follow the crowd without really knowing…
A Chinowa (茅の輪) is a sacred grass ring, part of an ancient Shinto purification ritual known as Chinowa Kuguri (茅の輪くぐり), performed to cleanse spiritual impurities, ward off misfortune, and invite good health. Walking through it might not transport you to another planet, but in the eyes of Shinto belief, it’s a powerful step into a cleaner, luckier version of your life….
The Potala Palace is an architectural marvel and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, towering over Lhasa, Tibet. Originally built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo, it was later expanded in the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama, becoming the primary residence of successive Dalai Lamas until the 14th fled to India in…
Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet, is the most sacred and important temple in Tibetan Buddhism. Located in Lhasa, it was built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo to house a sacred statue of Jowo Shakyamuni, believed to be one of the most revered images of Buddha. A mix of Tibetan, Nepalese,…
Step into a Tibetan monastery, and the air hits you with a thick, unmistakable scent—earthy, rancid, smoky, and oddly rich. That’s yak butter candles at work. These traditional butter lamps, burning day and night as offerings, fill the temples with a dense aroma that clings to the ancient wooden beams and centuries-old murals. Yak butter,…
Drepung Monastery, perched on the outskirts of Lhasa, Tibet, is a sprawling labyrinth of whitewashed walls and golden roofs. Once the largest monastery in the world, it was home to nearly 10,000 monks in its heyday, making it a bustling hub of Tibetan Buddhist learning and debate. Today, it’s quieter but no less awe-inspiring, with…
The dragon fountain at Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Jinja is a stunning example of traditional Japanese artistry and spiritual significance. Located at the entrance of this ancient Shinto shrine dedicated to the goddess Konohanasakuya-hime, the fountain plays a key role in purification rituals. The dragon, intricately carved from bronze, appears mid-roar, its mouth serving as…
The Sainte-Chapelle is a stunning Gothic chapel located on the Île de la Cité in Paris, built in the mid-13th century as part of the royal palace. Commissioned by King Louis IX, it was designed to house precious Christian relics, including the Crown of Thorns. The chapel is renowned for its magnificent stained glass windows,…
