Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran
Rome, Lazio, Italy Christianity
The cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome and one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas.
The World’s Sacred Places
Sacred Places
Discover a curated guide to significant sacred places, pilgrimage traditions, architecture, documented history and practical visitor information across cultures and faith traditions.
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Curated Discovery
Sacred Places
Browse Sacred Places selected for Templestan’s public collection.
Holy Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring at Baloukli
Balıklı, İstanbul, Zeytinburnu, Türkiye Christianity
A historic Greek Orthodox pilgrimage monastery in Istanbul centered on the venerated Life-Giving Spring.
Cathedral of Ani
Ani, Kars, Merkez, Türkiye Christianity
The principal cathedral of medieval Ani, a masterpiece of the Armenian architectural tradition within the UNESCO-listed city.
Martyrium of St. Philip, Hierapolis
Hierapolis, Denizli, Pamukkale, Türkiye Christianity
The principal Early Christian martyr shrine of Hierapolis, associated with St. Philip and the city’s rise as a Christian pilgrimage centre.
Aya Yorgi Monastery, Büyükada
Büyükada, İstanbul, Adalar, Türkiye Christianity
A hilltop Orthodox monastery on Büyükada and one of Istanbul’s best-known Christian pilgrimage destinations.
Basilica of St. John, Ephesus
Ayasuluk Hill, Selçuk, İzmir, Türkiye Christianity
The monumental Byzantine basilica on Ayasuluk Hill built over a tomb traditionally identified with St. John the Apostle.
Göreme Rock Churches
Göreme, Merkez, Nevşehir, Türkiye Christianity
An exceptional Cappadocian landscape of rock-cut churches, chapels and monastic spaces with major Byzantine fresco cycles.
Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Mardin, Artuklu, Türkiye Christianity
A major Syriac Orthodox monastery outside Mardin that served for centuries as a patriarchal centre.
Holy Cross Church, Akdamar
Akdamar Island, Gevaş, Van, Türkiye Christianity
A celebrated tenth-century Armenian church on an island in Lake Van, built for King Gagik Artsruni.
Surp Giragos Armenian Church
Fatihpaşa, Diyarbakır, Sur, Türkiye Christianity
A major Armenian Apostolic church in Diyarbakır’s historic Sur district, repeatedly restored after periods of damage.
Patriarchal Church of St. George
Fener, İstanbul, Fatih, Türkiye Christianity
The principal church of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and a major centre of Eastern Orthodox worship.
Mor Gabriel Monastery
Güngören, Midyat, Mardin, Türkiye Christianity
An ancient Syriac Orthodox monastery in Tur Abdin, founded in the late fourth century and still central to Syriac Christian heritage.