Sacred places

The Kārzdaba Orthodox Church

The Kārzdaba Orthodox Church is a Latvian Orthodox church built in 1875, located in Kārzdaba, Cesvaine parish, Madona municipality. Historical Significance of Kārzdaba: A Hub of Orthodoxy Kārzdaba is a crown manor, an important centre of Orthodoxy in the region with a church, a parish school and two primary schools. The parish was founded in […]

March 27, 2024
The Veckalsnava Lutheran Church

The Veckalsnava Lutheran Church, located in the parish of Kalsnava in Madona County, is in ruins, but its history goes back centuries. Location Positioned near the P37 road (Pļaviņas-Madona) and Kalsnava Lake, this church has gone through times of destruction and rebirth. History According to the chronicles of the Kalsnava church, the first Lutheran church […]

February 3, 2024
Obelisk of the Women of Guria

In the heart of the Guria region of Georgia stands a powerful symbol of strength, resilience and emancipation: the Obelisk of the Women of Guria in Okroskedi. This monument is a tribute to the women who played a key role in shaping the history and culture of the region. A few steps away from the […]

November 9, 2023
Pamir’s Afghan Cemetery & Nosiri Khusrav

In the high mountainous region of the Pamir, about a hundred metres from the Afghan border, lies an abandoned cemetery (khokiston or kabriston in the local language) dating back to 1500. Buried under these earthen mounds are predominantly Afghans and, based on how the stones above each grave were arranged, one could tell whether they […]

September 11, 2023
Goziyon Madrassas

Bukhara, a city steeped in history and architectural wonders, has long been a tapestry of cultural heritage. Among its hidden gems lies the enigmatic tale of Goziyon, a sprawling complex that once thrived as a bastion of education and faith. Standing proudly are the remnants of the grand Goziyon madrassas and towering guldast towers, forming […]

September 3, 2023
Karmir Avetaran Armenian Church

Nestled amidst the bustling streets of old Tbilisi, the Church Shamkoretsots Astvatsatsin, also known as the Church of the Blessed Virgin Shamkortsev, stands as a testament to centuries of history, architectural splendour, and a cloud of mystery that surrounds its demise. This edifice, alternatively dubbed Karmir Avetaran, meaning “Purple Gospel,” has witnessed the ebb and […]

August 17, 2023
Saint Gevork of Mughni Church

Tbilisi, Georgia – The Saint Gevork of Mughni Church, a remarkable 13th-century Armenian architectural treasure nestled in the heart of Tbilisi, Georgia, has fallen into a state of disrepair, raising concerns among locals and historians alike. Architecture and History Also known as the Saint George of Mughni Church due to the cognate equivalence of “Gevork” […]

August 8, 2023
St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker Russian Orthodox Church

Historic Amrakits Village Russian Orthodox Church Draws Tourists Despite Severe Damage from 1988 Spitak Earthquake. Amrakits Village Amrakits Village, Armenia’s Lori Province – Nestled near the town of Stepanavan, the village of Amrakits continues to captivate tourists with its St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker Russian Orthodox Church, despite the structure’s extensive damage caused by the […]

July 4, 2023
Convent of São Francisco do Monte

The Franciscan-Capuchin convent of São Francisco do Monte is of mediaeval construction and was remodelled in the 16th and 18th centuries, significantly modifying its structure in an attempt to conform to the norms of the Province of Conceição. Viana do Castelo – abandoned The Convent of São Francisco do Monte is located in the parish […]

January 25, 2023
Villa Franzan

Villa Franzan and the Minor Seminary of the Diocese of Padua are located in Barcon, a locality to the north-west of the municipality of Sarcedo. In the 20th century, Barcon (a term meaning ‘large enclosure of fields’) defined the complex of the Venetian villa and seminary, currently in a state of neglect. The Franzan family […]

January 16, 2023