Do You Know? Underground Churches

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Usually churches are built above ground level. However, this is not the case with this church. Besides having a high historical value, this church building is below ground level! Wow!

Wieliczka Salt Mine Church

In the city of Wieliczka, Poland, there is a former salt mine called the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This salt mine has been operating since the 13th century. Many tourists visit this mine because it contains the Chapel of St. King.

The Chapel of King’s is a church made of salt and beautifully carved. All church statues and ornaments such as candle holders are made of salt. In addition, in this mine there is also a lake, statues, and carvings that are all made of salt! Since 1978, UNESCO has designated this salt mine as a world heritage site.

Damanhur Cathedral

In the city of VIdracco, Italy, there is a very magnificent underground church. The church was named Damanhur. This church was secretly built for 15 years! Oberto Airaudi is the initiator of the Damanhur development. In the past, this place was made not for a place of worship of any religion, but for humanity.

In 1992, the Italian police learned of the construction of the site. They were amazed by the beauty of the place. Inside there are 7 halls with different themes. These include the Hall of Mirrors, Hall of Water, Hall of Earth, Hall of Metals, Hall of Spheres, The Labyrinth, and The Blue Temple. Each room is connected by a corridor hundreds of meters long.

Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira

The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira is built under the Halite hill, Cundinamarca, in a salt mine tunnel. Amazingly, this church was built by carving! Wow! This unique church is in Colombia. Initially, in 1932 the miners carved a small space to serve as a place of worship. However, since 1950 they began to build larger churches.

In this church there are former mining halls and beautifully designed rooms. Because of its beauty and uniqueness, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira is considered one of the most interesting architectures in Colombia. Even this church is dubbed the natural gem of modern architecture.

Baca juga: Do You Know? 5 Places Without Gravity

Lalibela Underground Church

In the country of Ethiopia, Africa, there is a monolith stone church carved underground. The church was built in the city of Lalibela. Not just one church lo, but there are 11 churches! Wow! King Lalibela built the churches in the 12th century. Each church is about half the size of a tennis court. The roof is parallel to the ground level. Each church is also connected by a fairly large stone tunnel.

One of the churches, Bete Medhane Alem Church, is the largest monolith stone church in the world. It has an area of 33.5 x 23.5 meters and a height of more than 11.5 meters. While the Bete Giyorgis Church is the most unique monolith stone church. Because, when viewed from above, the church is in the shape of a cross. In 1978, UNESCO designated the churches in Lalibela as a World Heritage Site.

Temppeliaukio Kirkko (Rock Church)

Temppeliaukio Kirkko is a church with very beautiful architecture. This church is located in Helsinki, Finland. Besides having beautiful architecture, this church is also built underground! The Temppeliaukio Church was designed by two architect brothers, namely Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen. This church was completed in 1969.

From ground level, the shape of this church resembles an ancient tomb in Newgrange, Ireland. The building is barely visible from the outside, only the copper roof of the church is visible. The interior of the church is circular and surrounded by stone walls. The interior is illuminated by natural light entering through vertical windows, which connect the dome and the walls. The church is also often used as a venue for classical music concerts and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Helsinki.

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