Sacred buildings are places to visit for their atmosphere, but the period of confinement in which we currently find ourselves deprives us of this experience. We can, however, still admire these places... online. We have selected for you eight sacred places that you can visit from the comfort of your own home.
St George's Chapel, United-Kingdom
St. George's Chapel, whose construction began in 1475, has a close link with the British royal family. The role of the monarchs was crucial in the beautification of the chapel and members of the royal family were baptized, married and buried in the chapel. The chapel was not fully finished and decorated until the 19th century, when Queen Victoria undertook its renovation.
Discover the inside of this Gothic jewel by following this link: https://www.eyerevolution.co.uk/blog/virtual-tours-of-st-georges-chapel-windsor-castle/
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque) is a historic mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. Its Külliye contains Ahmed's tomb, a madrasah and a hospice. Hand-painted blue tiles adorn the mosque’s interior walls, and at night the mosque is bathed in blue as lights frame the mosque’s five main domes, six minarets and eight secondary domes.
Take a stroll through the huge Prayer Hall of the Blue Mosque by visiting this link: http://www.3dmekanlar.com/en/blue-mosque.html
St. Rumbold’s Cathedral was built in the 13th century. It was known as ‘the church of the archbishops’ because it was larger and more impressive than the other parish churches. Originally there was a triple-nave cruciform church on the site of the cathedral. Much of the interior and iconoclasms were lost to plundering during the 16th century.
Climb to the top of the high tower of the cathedral by checking this link: https://www.poppr.be/virtualtour/mechelen360/?startscene=40&startactions=lookat(0,0,110,0,0);
This spectacular building consecrated in the 11th century houses many stunning features, including a Romanesque crypt, a perpendicular nave, and beautiful medieval stained glass windows. It is the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Admire the splendour of medieval England by following this link: https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/visit/information/tour/
The Montserrat Abbey became an independent institution in 1409, and from 1493 to 1835, Montserrat went through a period of growth as part of the Valladolid Congregation. During the Spanish Civil War, the monastery was abandoned, but the government saved Montserrat from being sacked or ruined. Now Montserrat has been modernised to attend to the needs of current pilgrims.
Be inspired by the beauty of the natural site of the Montserrat Monastery by visiting this link: https://www.airpano.com/360photo/Montserrat-Spain/
The Dohany Street Synagogue is the largest neologistic synagogue in Europe and a symbol for Hungarian Jews. The Moorish style building was built between 1854 and 1859 and renovated in 1931 and 1991. One of the few synagogues to house an organ, the Dohany Street synagogue hosts classical music concerts and serves as a venue for various festivals.
Discover the interior of one of the most beautiful synagogues in Central Europe here: https://www.hvweb.net/en/360photos/budapest/great-synagogue/pano/
The Meteora are a geological formation in northern Greece and home to the second most important monastic complex in Greece, after Mount Athos. Of the thirty monasteries that have historically existed, only six now operate, which have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1988.
Try to spot all the monasteries in the rocky expanse of the Meteora by following this link: https://www.airpano.com/360photo/Meteora-Monasteries-Greece/
The Sistine Chapel, built between about 1475 and 1481, is known to contain the works of some of the greatest Italian artists of the second half of the 15th century, including frescoes by Michelangelo Buonarroti, which cover the vault (about 1508-1512), the back wall (of the Last Judgement), and above the altar (about 1535-1541). It is also the place where the conclave and other official ceremonies of the Pope take place.
Admire the wonders of Italian Renaissance painting contained in the chapel by visiting this link: http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/cappella-sistina/tour-virtuale.html
