Thread of religious wonders built in locations so surreal you won't...
Jeremy Wayne Tate@JeremyTate41
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Jan 17, 2026
~3 min read
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Thread of religious wonders built in locations so surreal you won't believe they exist 🧵
1. Abuna Yemata Guh, Ethiopia
1. Abuna Yemata Guh, Ethiopia
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2. Fanjingshan Temples, China
Clinging to a rocky spur in the Wuling Mountains, these ancient Buddhist temples, with iron tiles to resist strong winds, seem almost unreal. Reaching them involves a four-hour ascent of over 8,000 steps.
Clinging to a rocky spur in the Wuling Mountains, these ancient Buddhist temples, with iron tiles to resist strong winds, seem almost unreal. Reaching them involves a four-hour ascent of over 8,000 steps.
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3. Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona, Italy
Perched over 2,000 feet above sea level on Mount Baldo in Italy, this sanctuary overlooking the Valdadige Valley is one of the country's most famous sites dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Perched over 2,000 feet above sea level on Mount Baldo in Italy, this sanctuary overlooking the Valdadige Valley is one of the country's most famous sites dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
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4. Church of St. George, Ethiopia
This church is one of eleven in Ethiopia carved from solid rock, dating to the late 12th or early 13th century AD.
This church is one of eleven in Ethiopia carved from solid rock, dating to the late 12th or early 13th century AD.
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5. The Sacra di San Michele, Italy
This 1000-year-old medieval monastery inspired Umberto Eco's novel The Name of the Rose.
This 1000-year-old medieval monastery inspired Umberto Eco's novel The Name of the Rose.
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6. The Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Meteora, Greece
Situated atop a 1,300 feet-high rocky precipice, this medieval monastery is accessible only via 146 steep steps hewn into the cliffside. It is one of the oldest remaining of the 24 Meteora monasteries.
Situated atop a 1,300 feet-high rocky precipice, this medieval monastery is accessible only via 146 steep steps hewn into the cliffside. It is one of the oldest remaining of the 24 Meteora monasteries.
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7. Assumption of Maria Church, Lake Bled, Slovenia
The island's first brick church, consecrated in 1142 by Patriarch Pellegrino of Aquileia, was rebuilt in Gothic style in the 15th century.
The island's first brick church, consecrated in 1142 by Patriarch Pellegrino of Aquileia, was rebuilt in Gothic style in the 15th century.
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8. The Ancient Greek temple of Apollo in Naxos looks like a "star gate"
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9. The Expiatory Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Barcelona
Located on the summit of Mount Tibidabo in Barcelona, Catalonia, it was built to stop the construction of a Protestant church and a hotel-casino.
Located on the summit of Mount Tibidabo in Barcelona, Catalonia, it was built to stop the construction of a Protestant church and a hotel-casino.
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10. Las Lajas Sanctuary, Colombia
This popular pilgrimage site for Christians from both Colombia and neighboring Ecuador was built in a neo-gothic architectural style between 1916 and 1949.
This popular pilgrimage site for Christians from both Colombia and neighboring Ecuador was built in a neo-gothic architectural style between 1916 and 1949.
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11. Temple of Valadier, Italy
Located at the entrance of the Frasassi Caves, this ancient sanctuary, first mentioned in documents from 1029, is a simple stone structure built by Benedictine monks to house a revered image of the Madonna.
Located at the entrance of the Frasassi Caves, this ancient sanctuary, first mentioned in documents from 1029, is a simple stone structure built by Benedictine monks to house a revered image of the Madonna.
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12. Temple Theater of Monte San Nicola, Italy
Rediscovered by chance in 2000 by a paraglider, this 2,100-year-old site features a theater and a temple on the same hill, located 520 meters above sea level.
Rediscovered by chance in 2000 by a paraglider, this 2,100-year-old site features a theater and a temple on the same hill, located 520 meters above sea level.
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13. Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe, France
This chapel, dedicated to the Archangel Michael, was constructed in 969 atop a 279-foot volcanic plug and is accessed by 268 steps carved directly into the rock.
This chapel, dedicated to the Archangel Michael, was constructed in 969 atop a 279-foot volcanic plug and is accessed by 268 steps carved directly into the rock.
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14. Yamadera temple, Japan
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15. The Dark Church of Göreme, Turkey
This famous 11th-century monastic cave church in Cappadocia, located in the Göreme Open Air Museum, is known for its vibrant wall paintings.
This famous 11th-century monastic cave church in Cappadocia, located in the Göreme Open Air Museum, is known for its vibrant wall paintings.
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16. Ad Deir, Petra, Jordan
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17. Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, Colombia
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18. Tiger's Nest, Bhutan
First built in 1692 on an 8th-century site, it hangs on a precarious cliff at about 10,240 feet above sea level in Bhutan's Paro Valley.
First built in 1692 on an 8th-century site, it hangs on a precarious cliff at about 10,240 feet above sea level in Bhutan's Paro Valley.
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19. Kipina Monastery, Greece
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20. Marble Mountains grotto-temples, Vietnam
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21. Sumela Monastery, Turkey
Perched on a steep cliff 3,900 ft above the Altındere Valley, this structure is thought to have been built around 386 AD during Emperor Theodosius I's reign.
Perched on a steep cliff 3,900 ft above the Altındere Valley, this structure is thought to have been built around 386 AD during Emperor Theodosius I's reign.
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22. Chapel of St. Gildas, France
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23. Gergeti Trinity Church, Georgia
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24. Golden Temple of Laojun Mountain, China
Its pavilion with a painted golden roof sits atop one of the peaks of Laojun Mountain, the highest in the Funiu Mountains at 2217 meters.
Its pavilion with a painted golden roof sits atop one of the peaks of Laojun Mountain, the highest in the Funiu Mountains at 2217 meters.
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25. Madonna de Idris, Italy
This extraordinary church, carved into solid rock and nestled among the ancient “Sassi di Matera”, is over 800 years old.
This extraordinary church, carved into solid rock and nestled among the ancient “Sassi di Matera”, is over 800 years old.
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Rising 8,460 feet above the ground, Abuna Yemata Guh (first picture) is arguably the most inaccessible place of worship on earth.
It features stunning wall paintings dating back to the 5th century.
It features stunning wall paintings dating back to the 5th century.
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