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Sacred Destinations Site Map
Austria
- Innsbruck
- Alpenzoo (Alpine Zoo) - 150 species of Alpine animals in their native habitat, many of which are extinct in the wild.
- Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum - on Universitatsstras. - museum filled with Tyrolean Christian crib scenes on ground floor and models of farmhouses above. Third floor has religious folk art from Tyrol.
- Domkirche (Cathedral) - St. James. Built 1722. Interior has painted ceilings and a high-altar portrait of the Virgin Mary by Lucas Cranach the Elder, dating to 1520.
- Court Church (Hofkirche) - Univers. Lovely church in its own right, but famous for its tombs. Maximilian's mausoleum has 24 marble reliefs showing his accomplishments and 28 statues of his ancestors. Richly decorated altar in the Silver Chapel (Silberne Kapelle) worth seeing and dates from 1500s.
- Linz
- perhaps best example of rococo style in Germany countries is Wilhering Abbey church. 5 miles SW of Linz on south bank of Danube.
- Mauthausen, perhaps the worst concentration camp of them all, located on the Danube River, near the city of Linz.
- Oberndorf
- Little village 13 miles north of Salzburg. Here Franz Gruber composed Silent Night on Christmas Eve, 1818. That church gone, but small memorial chapel marks the spot and contains a replica of the composition
- Salzburg
- Salzburg Cathedral and crypt
- Original Silent Night (composed in Oberndorf 1818) in Carolino Augusteum Museum
- Franciscan Monastery (Franziskanerkloster) - tall graceful spire, 13th cent. Mass Sunday at 9, music is frequently Mozart.
- Collegiate Church - est. 1707, one of finest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe
- St. Peter's Cemetery and catacombs, two ancient chapels hewn out of rock in 3rd century when Christianity still outlawed
- St. Peter's Abbey (Stift St. Peter) - late-Baroque masterpiece. Tomb of St. Rupert, who founded a monastery on Monk's Mountain (Monchsberg).
- Near Vienna
- Second largest Marian Shrine in Austria, Our Lady of Maria Taferl. Hilltop shrine where miraculous apparitions were seen for several years in the mid 1600s at a location that had been the site of Celtic sacrifices.
- Melk Abbey
- Gottweig Abbey (Stift Göttweig) high above the Danube Valley. 11th cent. Thousand year old fortress-like complex. 20 miles NE of Melk on Rte. 303, Furth bei Gottweig. Can stroll lovely grounds and visit the chapel.
- Klosterneuburg - One of three abbeys between Vienna and Melk. About 10 miles from Vienna, dominates a small market town. Established 1114, is a major agricultural landowner and known for its wines. Daily guided tours every hour from 9 to 4:30.
- Vienna
- St. Stephen's Cathedral– miraculous image of Our Lady of Mariapocs, Cathedral and catacombs. Famous diamond-patterned roof added in 19th cent. 343 stairs to top of south tower (Alte Steffl - Old Steve), great views of the city. Elevator to north tower, which has a 22-ton bell cast in part from cannons captured from the Turks in 1683.
- Mariazell, the most famous Marian Shrine in Austria
- St. Augustine's Church - part of Hofburg, was the court church, Habsburgs' hearts are in a chamber in the church
- Butterfly House
- Court Chapel (Hofburgkapelle) - home to Vienna Boys Choir, Gothic chapel built in 1449. Need tickets to hear them sing mass at 9:15am on Sundays, mid-Sept to June. See CT 28 for more tips
- New Palace Wing (Neue Burg) built in 19th cent. Here Hitler announced the annexation of Austria in 1938. Many museums, including Ephesus Museum, displaying many artifacts from Autrian-led archaeological digs in the biblical city of Ephesus.
- Capuchin Church (Kapuzinerkirche) - main attraction is crypt, final resting place of Habsburg royals. Oldest tomb is that of Ferdindand II (1633). Newest is Empress Zita, who died in 1989. Neuer Markt 1.
- St. Charles' Church (Karlskirche) - on Karlspl. One of Vienna's landmarks, with classical Baroque facade and dome with two large twin columns. Built early 18th cent.
- St. Rupert's Church (Ruprechtskirche) - Vienna's oldest church, 11th century. Building is often closed, but hosts art shows and classical concerts in the summer.
- Scottish Church (Schottenkirche) - Founded by Irish monks in 1177; present building dates from mid-17th cent. Plain exterior, elaborate interior with angels and cherubs. Small interesting museum of religious artwork, entrance in courtyard.
- Schonbrunn Palace (Schloss Shönbrunn) - Habsburg palace, summer residence. 6-year-old Mozart played for Maria Theresa and her court in the Hall of Mirrors. Guided tour leads through 40 of the 1,441 rooms. Zoo on the premises is oldest European zoo (1752).
- Mozart Memorial Rooms (Mozart Erinnerungsräume) - Mozart's small apartment from 1784-87, now a good museum.
- The Prater - amusement park with famous ferris wheel.
- Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt) - During December, on Rathausplatz. Scores of craft and food booths.
- Seitenstattengasse Synagogue - Vienna Jewish Museum
- Sigmund Freud House - 10 minute ride from cathedral. preserved as it was during Freud’s life. Inside one can find memorabilia, including his pipe, walking stick, cigar boxes, books, letters, photographs, writing desk and psychoanalytic couch.
- Martin Buber
- Theodor Herzl
- Jewish Museum
- Austrian Resistance Museum
- Stadtempel and the Judenplatz - near cathedral, center of Jewish community for 500 years
- Memorial to Austrian Holocaust Victims - in Judenplatz
Belgium
Britain
- Edinburgh
- Bristol
- During the 18th and 19th centuries, Bristol was a center of evangelical Christianity
- John Wesley's Chapel-called "The New Room," which is the oldest Methodist meeting house in Britain. From this pulpit, Wesley railed against the evils of slavery, and those who made their living in the slave trade sent gangs of local thugs to regularly break up the meetings. The chapel is now a fascinating museum that testifies to the social impact of Christianity and the courage of Wesley and his fellow preachers
- Canterbury
- Cambridge
- University - Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, and Bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley were students here
- King's College Chapel - Known throughout the world for its boys' choir, this medieval masterpiece took 70 years to build
- Durham
- Gloucester
- Bell Inn Restaurant-the birthplace of Whitefield
- Gloucester Cathedral - an architectural gem and the place where Whitefield was ordained into the ministry.
- London
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- Westminster Abbey
- Tower of London
- Metropolitan Tabernacle where Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) held his great revival meetings
- John Wesley's Chapel
- Wesley's Home
- Museum of Methodism
- Oxford
- Salisbury
- Stonehenge
- York
Cambodia
China
Cyprus
- Tombs of the Kings, Paphos
- Roman Mosaics, Paphos
- Byzantine Museum, Paphos
- Ayios Neophytos Monastery, Paphos
- Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, Paphos
- St. Nicholas of the Cats, Limassol
- Ayios Ioannis, Nicosia
- Cyprus Museum, Nicosia
- Ayios Lazarus, Larnaca
- Hala Sultan Tekke, Larnaca
- Painted Churches in the Troodos Region, Troodos
- Kykkos Monastery (Panagia tou Kykkou), Troodos - founded in the 12th century, the monastery is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and contains many precious icons and relics.
Czech Republic
Egypt
- Alexandria
- Catacombs of Kom Al-Shoqafa: Alexandria's most awesome archeological find, a 2,000-year old underground burial site, complete with a funeral banquet hall, carved sarcophagi and elaborately decorated walls. Particularly interesting for its combination of Egyptian and Greco-Roman styles.
- Kom Al Dikka - Misleadingly called the "Mound of Rubble," this is an impressive collection of ruins on a site that was formerly a Roman garden. Check out the Roman theater, made of marble and surrounded by elegant columns and mosaic paving.
- Jewish Sites
- Christian Sites
- Islamic Sites
- Cairo
- Egyptian Museum - largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, with over 120,000 pieces
- Hanging Church - Built over a 2nd century Roman gate, this church dedicated to the Virgin Mary was started as early as the 3rd century and has been a work in progress ever since. It is said to be the oldest church in Egypt. Highlights include wonderfully preserved icons, an ancient marble pulpit, and friendly volunteer guides from the local church group.
- Islamic Cairo - A whole district of ancient alleys, squares and mosques, including the magnificent Mosque of Ibn Tulun. Check out the nearby Gayer Anderson Museum, a restored Ottoman home that was featured in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. Spend a day or more strolling around, and visit the Citadel and the Museum of Islamic Arts.
- Saqqara - pyramids and tombs on outskirts of Cairo
- Luxor
- Mount Sinai
- St. Catherine's Monastery
- Nile Valley/Upper Egypt
- Karnak - One of the largest concentration of temples in the world, spanning an area almost the size of Central Park. Lose yourself in an avenue of sphinxes or a forest of stone columns colored and inscribed with hieroglyphs. Stand under monumental gateways and rest in the shade of the once holy sanctuaries. Along with the Pyramids and Abu Simbel, Karnak is one of the best known and most impressive sights in Egypt.
- Abydos - Ancient Egyptians wanted above else to be buried in Abydos, as near as possible to the tomb of Osiris, god of the netherworld. Those who couldn't afford it had their names inscribed on stone tablets there instead. Seti I's Temple to Osiris, more than 3,000 years old is a fascinating example of ancient relief work, and used to be one of the most beautiful houses of worship of ancient times.
- Valley of the Kings
- Red Sea Coast
- Monasteries of St. Paul and St. Anthony, which some historians say are the oldest in the world
France
- Ars
- Relics of St Jean-Marie Vianney
- Chartres
- La Rochelle
- This beautiful port was one of France's most important Huguenot strongholds. In 1627, the city underwent a brutal siege, losing all but 5000 of its 28,000 residents. Eventually the Huguenots were allowed to keep their rights to worship and in the 17th and 18th centuries, La Rochelle prospered as France's major seaport.
- Lisieux
- Basilica Cathedral of St Peter, Lisieux
- Les Buissonets, family home of Therese, Lisieux
- Lourdes
- Basilica of St Pius X, sanctuary, the world's largest underground church
- Stations of the Cross
- Grotto of Massabielle
- Lyons
- La Salette Basilica (Notre Dame de la Salette) and spring
- St. John's Basilica
- Mont St-Michel
- Nevers
- St Gildard's Convent - uncorrupted body of St Bernadette
- Noyon
- Birth home of John Calvin, now a museum
- Paray le Monial
- Chapel of the Visitation, sacred heart of Jesus apparitions to St. Margaret
- Paris
- Louvre Museum
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Saint-Chapelle Cathedral
- Shrine of the Miraculous Medal
- Memorial of the Unknown Jewish Martyr - Dedicated in October 1956 as a tribute to the Jews that perished in the Holocaust.
- Memorial to the Deported - A memorial to all French people who died in the German death camps during World War II.
- Jewish Art Museum - Contains paintings by Chagall and other Jewish artists, sculptures, mosaics and models of 12th century European synagogues.
- St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre - near Louvre
- Sorbonne - early reformers set the stage for the Reformation
- Rouen
- Joan of Arc burned at the stake here in 1431
- Protestant history
- Strasbourg
- Tours
- Vézelay
Germany
- Aachen
- Altotting
- one of Germany's most celebrated shrines and a city whose purpose is pilgrimage
- Basilica
- Panorama of the Crucifixion
- Pilgrim Museum
- St. Konrad's Monastery,
- Erfurt
- Eisleben
- From Fussen, drive to the West to Bavaria's famous Ottobeuren Abbey to join in the monastic Liturgy of the Hours. Tour the majestic basilica and visit the Chapel of St. Benedict and the Abbey Museum.
- Mainz
- Marburg
- Oberammergau - Passionspeilhaus
- Regensburg – Germany's most impressive Gothic cathedral
- Wittenberg
Greece
- Ephesus
- home to St. Paul between 54 and 57AD and one of the best preserved classical cities in the world. The ancient library, marble streets, buildings, columns and stadium are truly wonderful. We will have a church service among the ruins of St John’s Basilica
- Arriving at Ephesus, you will walk through the Magnesian Gate, entrance to the ancient city of Ephesus. See the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trojan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastika, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, you will reach the Library of Celsus, adorned with columns and statues and is considered one of the most magnificent ruins on only in the city. The Great Theater, where St. Paul preached, is the largest theatre in antiquity, with capacity of 24.000 people. Return to your motorcoach along the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession
- Corinth
- ancient ruins of the city where St. Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. Included are the first century shops, the Agora, Temple of Apollo and the Bema seat.
- Patmos
- Monastery of St. John
- Grotto of the Apocalypse, a sub-unit of the main Monastery
- Kusadasi
- House of the Virgin Mary which is in a small valley of Bulbuldagi. It is a humble chapel on the site of the little house where the Virgin Mary is believed to have spent the last days of her life.
- Mt. Athos
- Athens
- Beneath the Acropolis is the Areopagus or Mars Hill. This is where St. Paul made his famous 'MEN OF ATHENS' speech revealing a considerable knowledge of the Greek philosophy and character.
- Meteora - one of the wonders of the middle Ages monasteries perched incredibly on sheet towers of sandstone rising like gigantic fingers out of the valley. Access to the summit once was possible only by rope ladders and baskets, but today a staircase permits an easier ascent up the rock-needles.
- Philippi
- Kavala on the site of ancient Neapolis where Paul landed on the way to Philippi
- Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city and capital of Macedonia, highlight treasures of the ancient Byzantine and medieval eras. Included are the famous Byzantine St. Dimitri Church, Vlatadon Monastery, the University and Arch of Galerius
- Rhodes
- Lindos. This most important of the three great cities of ancient times is guarded by medieval walls constructed by the Knights of St. John in the 13th Century. Within, stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos on the brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea. From the Acropolis there are breathtaking views of the great expense of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul's Bay where the Apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus. Proceed uphill on foot and up the Great Staircase leading from the Hellenistic portico to the Temple of Athena - among the most important temples of the Ancient Greek World
India
- Bodhgaya
- Gangtok, Sikkim State
- Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology or Tibetology Museum (Wiki has photo)
- Dro-dul Chorten Stupa i
- Rumtek Monastery - most famous monument of Sikkim and the centre of media attention in 2000
Ireland
- General
sacred sites
- Glendalough monastery and round tower
- Lady's Island
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Mt. Gabriel
- Cashel monastery and round tower
- Kilmacduagh monastery and round tower
- Inishmore cliffs
- Mt. Croagh Patrick
- Tobar and Ailt holy well and Carrowmore megaliths (near Sligo)
- St. Patrick's island, Lough Derg
- Slieve League mountain holy well
- Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth megalithic sites (Knowth.com)
- Inis Cealtra island
- Hill of Tara
- Baltinglass megalithic ruins
- Drogheda; shrine of St. Oliver Plunket
- Clonmacnois pilgrimage church
- Holy Cross abbey
- Monasterboice monastery and round tower
- Killycluggin stone ring
- Scattery Island; monastery and round tower
- Dublin
- Book of Kells
- Christ Church Cathedral
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Our Lady of Mount Carmel/Whitefriar Street Ca
- St. Audeon's Church
- St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral
- St. Michan's Church
- St. Patrick's Cathedral
- St. Teresa's Church
- Trinity College Library
- Knock
Israel
- Bethlehem
- Cana
- Carmel
- Mt. Carmel National Park
- Stella Maris French Carmelite church, monastery, and hospice
- Cave where Elijah is believed to have lived
- Statue of Mary made from cedar of Lebanon
- museum with artifacts from the Byzantine church occupying this same spot before the Carmelites built here
- Dead Sea
- Haifa
- Bah'ai Shrine and Gardens
- Jerusalem
- Bible Lands Museum
- Garden Tomb
- Mount of Olives
- Church of St. Anne
- Dome of the Rock
- Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
- Path of the Cross
- Sanhedrian Tombs
- St. George's Cathedral
- Temple Mount
- Tombs of the Kings
- Western Wall
- Yad VaShem Memorial and Holocaust Museum
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Jericho
- Megiddo
- Nazareth
- Sea of Galilee
- sites around the Sea of Galilee including: Capernaum, Tabgha, Korazin, Bethsaida, Kursi, Mt. Beatitudes, A 2000 years old fishing boat, fondly known as “Jesus boat”.
Italy
- Assisi
- St Francis was born here in 1182; work began on his basilica two years after his death in 1228.
- Basilica of St. Francesco and Francis' tomb - many of the saint's possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life
- Church of St. Clare – the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis, St. Clare's incorrupt body
- Temple of Minerva in the Piazza del Comune
- Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels – where Francis spent most of his life
- Bolsena
- St. Christina's Church - eucharistic miracle of 1263, host began to bleed, blood stains still seen
- Lanciano
- Church of St. Legontian - eucharistic miracle of 8th century - host became real flesh (a heart) and wine became real blood
- Rome
- Siena
Japan Portugal
- Fatima
- Join pilgrims from around the world in an evening candlelight procession to pray the rosary. Bring a white handkerchief, for the Adeus farewell, a loving wave farewell to the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary. (each evening from April through October).
- A new big basilica is under construction, however just as beautiful, an older basilica was constructed here in 1928, and millions of pilgrims visit each year.
- Little Chapel of the Apparitions
- Francesco and Jacinta's graves
- Hamlet of Aljustrel, where the children lived
- Valinhos, the site of Our Lady's appearance after the children's return from prison.
- Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary, which overlooks all of Fatima.
- Lisbon
- St. Anthony's Church. Despite what might be assumed from his name, Saint Anthony was born and grew up in Lisbon. Traditionally, the invocation of his name is considered the best means of locating lost objects
- Church of St Stephen, containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle. This miracle has been on continuous display since 1269.
- Between Lisbon and Avila - convent of the Poor Clare’s to see the Silver coffin that holds the incorrupt body of St. Elizabeth of Portugal
Spain
- Avila
- St. Teresa of Jesus, mystic, first woman to be named Doctor of the Church
- Cathedral, which contains many of St. Teresa relics;
- The crypt of the Convento of La Santa, built on the site of the house where she was born, is home to the most comprehensive museum dedicated to her life, and
- La Encarnacion Convent, the first convent she found.
- Santiago de Compostela
- Cathedral and pilgrimage destination
Switzerland
- Einsiedeln - miraculous statue of the Virgin, main days in Sept and Oct, even Protestants from nearby cantons join the worshippers
- Geneva
Thailand
Turkey
- Ankara
- Major airport
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. Won the European Museum of the year award in 1997. The museum chronicles the development of civilization in Turkey and contains priceless artifacts from every era
- Assos
- St Paul visited the port of Assos, on his third missionary journey through Asia Minor. (Acts 20:12)
- became the center for Platonic learning
- Cappadocia
- “Cappadocia is a region with history not only of prehistoric but of biblical proportions. Pilgrims can travel in the footsteps of St. Paul as he traversed this area of Asia Minor. The Silk Road passed through the region bringing explorers and their wares into the Turkish heartland. History lovers can scramble below ground to explore cities that sheltered Hittites from their Assyrian enemies and later, Christians from their persecutors.” (Boston Globe)
- Goreme Open Air museum, the place where Christians established colonies shortly after Christ’s death. There are more than 30 church complexes within the rock. Many are painted with fascinating frescoes
- Lystra, where St. Paul lived during his mission to spread Christianity after having visited Antioch and Pisidia. He and Barnabas gave sermons here
- stop in Konya (Iconium) and visit the Mevlana Museum, the former lodge of the mystic group, the Whirling Dervishes, and the burial ground of the leader of the Mevlevis, Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi
- Pamukkale, an ancient spa town with huge thermal springs flowing over white travertine rocks.
- Istanbul
- Hippodrome Square built by the Roman Emperor Servus stands adjacent to the magnificent Hagia-Sophia-a church built in 325AD by Constantine, on the foundations of a pagan temple. It was used as a church for 916 years, a mosque for 481 years and in 1934 made into a museum. For centuries it was the largest church in the world.
- Sultan Ahmet Mosque, built in 1916, and popularly known as the Blue Mosque because of its blue tiles. This mosque is the most famous monument in both the Turkish and Islamic world, and the only one built with 6 minarets.
- Mosque of Suleymaniye
- Church of the Holy Savior in Chora. This tiny church was originally built as a monastery, converted to a Mosque, and finally a museum. The church contains some of the most stunning mosaics and frescoes depicting the life of Christ in the world.
- Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans for centuries, visit an underground cistern and the spice market.
- underground Bazaar with 3000 individual shops selling everything from fine carpets to ornate pottery, copper and everything else in between!
Background Articles
- Catholicism articles:
Basic facts and stats
Incorrupt bodies
Eucharistic miracles
Miraculous images
Tradition of pilgrimage
Mass
History of papacy
Saint profiles: Francis, Catherine, BVM
The Miracle of Incorruptibility
- Explore Jewish History in Poland
- Onin War (1467-77) – add to Kyoto Background articles
- Guide to Cathedral Architecture
- Short History of Marian Apparitions
- History of the Buddha Image
- Miraculous Statues and Images
- St. Paul's Missionary Journeys
- Relationship of Buddhism and Shinto in Japan
- The syncretic approach of the Japanese to Buddhist and Shinto divinities was reflected throughout Japanese history in a close institutional association, to the point of merger, of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. They hosted common festivals and rituals, displayed common iconography and were often administered by Buddhist monks who served also as Shinto priests until the 'separation' of Buddhas and kami (shinbutsu bunri) in 1868. Since then people have continued to visit both shrines and temples but on separate occasions; Buddhist temples typically to carry out funeral and memorial rites, and Shinto shrines rituals of purification and renewal. (http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/shinto/budtemp.html)
- Japanese Funerals - http://www.osoushiki-plaza.com/eng/eng3.html#pagetop
Feature Articles
- Holy Toledo: Not Just an Expression
- Where to Pay Your Respects to the Apostles
- Japanese Tea Ceremony
- Japan's Sacred Mountains
- Zen Gardens
- The Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto
- The Seven Churches of Revelation
- Sardis,
- Pergamos,
- Thyatira,
- Smyrna,
- Ephesus,
- Laodicea,
- Philadelphia
- Religious Headquarters
- Vatican City – Catholic
- Scientology - California
- Shingon headquarters on Mt Koya,
- Greek Orthodox – Istanbul
- Russian Orthodox
- Church of England/Anglican Communion – Canterbury
- the Jodo Shinshu head temples in the centre of Kyoto and Enryakuji,
- the headquarters of the Tendai sect situated on Mt. Hiei, outside Kyoto.
- Limited-Access Sacred Sites – why can't see, provide photos, books, travelogues, other ways of seeing
- Mecca (Muslims only)
- Mt. Athos (men only)
- Top Ten Catholic Pilgrimage Sites
- Lourdes
- Fatima
- Avila
- Vatican
- Top Ten Protestant "Pilgrimage" Sites – depends on interests, of course, but to celebrate major reformers:
- Wittenberg
- Geneva
- Strasbourg
- Oxford
- St. Andrew's
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