Temple of All Religions (Kazan, Russia)

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Temple of All Religions (Kazan, Russia)

The colorful Temple of All Religions, or Universal Temple, is a mishmash of architectural flourishes culled from most of the major world religions.

Established by philanthropist Ildar Khanov in 1992, the site is not a chapel in the traditional sense, but a center meant to stand as a symbol of religious unity. Khanov, an advocate for rehabilitation services for substance abusers, built the center with the help of patients he met through his work.

The exterior of the temple looks almost like something out of Disneyland’s It’s a Small World ride, with a Greek Orthodox dome here and a Russian minaret there. There are design influences from Jewish synagogues and Islamic mosques, along with a number of spires and bells. All in all, the temple incorporates architectural influences from 12 religions in a bright cacophony of devotion.

Source: Atlas Obscura