Dünyanın En Önemli 9 Kutsal Yeri ve Dini Mekanı

Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Roma (Katolizm)

A common misconception is that St. Peter's Basilica in the papal precinct within the city of Rome is the most important Catholic Cathedral. In fact, the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome is the highest-ranking church of the religion and the seat of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. St. John Lateran is the oldest public church in Rome and houses the papal throne, known as the cathedra. The current structure underwent a series of renovations in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Many papal tombs, including that of Pope Leo XIII, are located inside the archbasilica. Pope Leo XIII was the last pope not to be buried in St. Peter's Basilica. St. John Lateran also contains the so-called Scala Sancta, or Holy Stairs, which were brought to Rome from Jerusalem in the 4th century AD and are understood to be the same stairs that Jesus once walked. The Basilica of St. John Lateran is not far from the Colosseum.

Western Wall, Jerusalem (Judaism)

Judaism's holiest site is the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, where the Second Temple stood until its destruction in 70 CE. The western retaining wall of the Temple has been preserved ever since and is considered the most important place to gather and pray. Jewish religious decrees currently prohibit believers from entering the Temple Mount to prevent Jews from unknowingly passing through the Holy of Holies.

The wide open space above the Temple Mount is dominated by the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, two of the most important religious sites in Islam. According to the Israeli occupation authorities, visitors are allowed on the Temple Mount, provided that it is not closed for security reasons. Only Muslims are allowed to pray openly in the area. Non-Muslims observed praying are deported.

Grand Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia (Islam)

According to Islamic tradition, believers should pray five times a day, facing the cube-shaped Kaaba, located in the center of the Great Mosque in Mecca. Considered by Muslims to be God's house on earth, the Kaaba and the Great Mosque surrounding it are the holiest sites in Islam. All able-bodied Muslims are expected to make the annual pilgrimage to Mecca once in their lifetime.

Expanded over the centuries, the Great Mosque is today the largest in the world. It also houses the Zamzam Well, believed to be a divine source of water. Non-Muslim visitors are not allowed to enter the city of Mecca under penalty of fines or deportation from Saudi Arabia. The northern city of Medina is open to visitors and contains Islam's second holiest site, the mosque containing the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad.

Baha'u'llah Shrine, Acre, Israel (Baha'i Religion)

The Baha'i Religion, still largely unknown but popular in the West, teaches openness and inclusiveness. Its adherents find intrinsic value in all religious beliefs and work for harmony among all peoples. The Shrine of Baha'u'llah in Acre, Israel, is considered the holiest site of the Baha'i Faith. The remains of Baha'u'llah, considered the founder of the faith, are in this shrine.

Similar to Muslims praying towards the Kaaba, Baha'i believers face the Tomb of Baha'u'llah when praying. The shrine is located in an idyllic garden area north of the center of Acre. Guided tours of the grounds are available and there is a visitor center with information about the Baha'i Faith. Pilgrims often also visit the Baha'i World Center in Haifa, which houses the Faith's main administrative buildings.

Western Wall, Jerusalem (Judaism)

Judaism's holiest site is the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, where the Second Temple stood until its destruction in 70 CE. The western retaining wall of the Temple has been preserved ever since and is considered the most important place to gather and pray. Jewish religious decrees currently prohibit believers from entering the Temple Mount to prevent Jews from unknowingly passing through the Holy of Holies.

The wide open space above the Temple Mount is dominated by the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, two of the most important religious sites in Islam. According to the Israeli occupation authorities, visitors are allowed on the Temple Mount, provided that it is not closed for security reasons. Only Muslims are allowed to pray openly in the area. Non-Muslims observed praying are deported.

Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem (Christianity)

Located in Jerusalem's Christian Quarter, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is considered by most Christian denominations to contain the two holiest sites of the faith: The place where Jesus was crucified and the tomb where he was buried and resurrected. Both places were historically in the open, but later the church was built to contain them.

Every year a large number of pilgrims travel to the site, especially during Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday. According to tradition, the last four ceremonies, called the Stations of the Cross, took place within the walls of the present-day church. An ornate Crucifixion Altar is located on the rock where Jesus is said to have died. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is open daily. There is no entrance fee, but be prepared to wait in line if the crowds are large.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, India (Hinduism)

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, India is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Considered one of the most important temples of Hinduism, it is located on the west bank of the Ganges River. Varanasi is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. Every year millions of people take the initiative to bathe in the river.

The holy waters are a source of spiritual purification, believed to wash away sins. Strolling through the narrow and crowded streets of Varanasi will lead you to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Shops along the way sell various artifacts. The golden domes of the temple shine brilliantly in the sun. At night, artificial lighting illuminates the temple complex with a dazzling array of colors. Stopping for a moment to contemplate the stars is a meaningful and moving experience.

Ise Grand Temple, Ise, Japan (Shintoism)

Şintoizm Japonya'da ortaya çıkmıştır ve uygulayıcıları her şeyde maneviyat bulmaktadır. Şinto Mabetleri meditasyon ve tefekküre uygun uyumlu bir ortam yaratır. Ise Büyük Tapınağı birçok kişi tarafından inancın en önemli tapınağı olarak kabul edilmektedir. Güneş tanrıçası Amaterasu'ya adanmış olan tapınak, Şinto mimarisinin karakteristik ahşap çerçeve tasarımına sahiptir.

Ziyaretçiler sık sık bölgeye nüfuz etmiş gibi görünen sakinlik ve huzur duyguları hakkında yorum yapmaktadır. Şinto inananları Ise Büyük Tapınağı'nı önemli bir hac yeri ve herkesin hayatında en az bir kez ziyaret etmesi gereken bir yer olarak görmektedir. Sevimli kafeler ve erişte dükkanlarının yanı sıra çok sayıda küçük el sanatları mağazası bulabileceğiniz yakındaki Oharaimachi Caddesi'ni keşfetmek için biraz zaman ayırın.

Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya, India (Buddhism)

In mainstream Buddhism, the Buddha is considered a figure worthy of emulation rather than a deity. Bodh Gaya, on the banks of the Falgu River, is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. According to Buddhist scripture, the first Buddha, Siddhattha Gotama, attained enlightenment here while sitting in the shade of the Bodhi tree.

A descendant of that tree grows today at the Mahabodhi Temple, attracting many pilgrims who want to see where the Buddha sat. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple complex includes an elaborate pyramid structure, pond and gardens. The grounds have a distinctly spiritual feel and anyone who visits immediately understands why it is considered such a special place.

Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Roma (Katolizm)

Western Wall, Jerusalem (Judaism)

Grand Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia (Islam)

Baha'u'llah Shrine, Acre, Israel (Baha'i Religion)

Western Wall, Jerusalem (Judaism)

Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem (Christianity)

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, India (Hinduism)

Ise Grand Temple, Ise, Japan (Shintoism)

Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya, India (Buddhism)

Holy Metta