8 OF THE MOST POPULAR WORLD SPIRITUAL DESTINATIONS

4 min read

8 OF THE MOST POPULAR WORLD SPIRITUAL DESTINATIONS

A golden temple that dates back centuries. Massive prehistoric stones on vast grasslands. Ancient holy city of three different religions. Around the globe, there are many popular pilgrimage destinations for the curious or pious traveler. Even though these destinations may only be appealing to those of the same religion, everyone can appreciate the beauty and cultural significance of the temples and other structures. These sites are known to inspire a spiritual experience or at least respect and awe, no matter what your beliefs.

Here are the top spiritual destinations in the world, whether you want to experience a spiritual renewal or simply see the pilgrimage sites from a different religion or time period.

Machu Picchu (Cusco, Peru)

Machu Picchu, located on a mountaintop near Cusco in Peru, is visited by more than one million tourists each year. Its unique stone facades, as well as the terraces on which they are built, has earned it a place among the New 7 Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu, with its ancient site and the surrounding mountains, is a must for travelers who want to explore this tranquil citadel.

Vatican City Rome, Italy

The Vatican is visited by up to five million tourists a year. This year, the election of Pope Francis may increase that number. It is believed that Saint Peter breathed his last in the Vatican, which is full of monuments dedicated to various saints. Attend a Mass that is celebrated by the Pope and visit The Sistine Chapel. This chapel is revered as the home of both the Pope and Michelangelo.

Jerusalem (Israel)

The centuries-old city of Jerusalem is a spiritually important place for three different religions: Islam and Christianity. Jerusalem is visited by around two million tourists each year. They may be pilgrims to the Western Wall (a Jewish place of prayer), or they might be visiting the Golgotha site where Jesus was crucified. Or, perhaps, they are admiring the beauty of the Dome of the Rock, a famous Muslim shrine. Visitors can learn more about the history of Jerusalem by visiting local museums, ancient tombs and archeological sites.

Stonehenge (Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England)

Since its discovery, this prehistoric site has been home to enormous stone monuments dating back to the Neolithic Age and Bronze Age. It has baffled archeologists. Even though the famous Stonehenge photos only show a few stones, 200 lesser-known structures were also built during this time. On the summer solstice thousands of people flock to Stonehenge in order to see the sunrise on the rocks.

Golden Temple (Amritsar, India)

Around 50,000 people visit the Golden Temple every day, whether they are attracted by the golden facade or just enjoy being welcomed with open arms. Around 50,000 people visit the Golden Temple every day .

Ulpotha (Sri Lanka)

This is for all you spa lovers and meditative Yoga Gurus. Ulpotha has been a destination for pious pilgrims for thousands of years. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful and best spas in the entire world. It is a great retreat for those who want to relax and cleanse their souls, but is only open at certain times. The retreat is a non profit, and the funds raised go to locals that maintain an organic farm near by.

Easter Island (Chile)

Moai are large, big-headed volcanic stone statues that look tribal. There is little information about why Moai are scattered around the island, similar to Stonehenge. If you ask locals, you’ll learn that they are ancestors who have passed on, and treated with respect. The Moai, as a result, are completely hands-off. However, they are stunning to look at.

You May Also Like

More From Author

+ There are no comments

Add yours