Dashtadem Fortress, also known as Qagheni Fortress, is a significant historical site located in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia, near the village of Dashtadem. This fortress spans a broad timeline from the 5th to the 19th centuries AD, showcasing a variety of architectural styles and modifications that reflect the diverse historical periods it has witnessed.
Ani
Ani, a once-thriving medieval city located in the present-day province of Kars in Turkey, near the closed border with Armenia, serves as a significant cultural and historical site. The city’s rich history, architectural innovations, and its role as a cultural and economic hub during the medieval period make it a subject of considerable interest among historians and archaeologists.
Zvartnots Cathedral ruins
Zvartnots Cathedral, a significant relic of medieval Armenian architecture, is located near Vagharshapat, Armenia. Constructed in the 7th century AD, this cathedral is renowned for its distinctive circular design and complex structural features, which include interior piers supporting a multi-tiered arrangement topped by a dome. Despite its current state of ruin, Zvartnots remains a pivotal study subject in the evolution of Armenian ecclesiastical architecture.
El Pailón del Diablo
El Pailón del Diablo, or the Devil’s Cauldron, is a renowned waterfall located near the town of Baños de Agua Santa, commonly referred to as Baños, in Ecuador. This natural wonder is situated in the Río Verde area and forms part of the Ruta de las Cascadas, a popular tourist route that features multiple waterfalls along the Pastaza River. The waterfall itself plunges from a height of 80 meters (approximately 265 feet) into a 20-meter deep pool, surrounded by lush vegetation and rugged terrain.
Basilica of Yereruyk
The Basilica of Yereruyk is a significant archaeological and architectural site located near the village of Anipemza in the Shirak Province of Armenia. Positioned on a plateau near the Akhurian River, which marks the border with Turkey, the basilica is approximately 5 km southeast of the ancient city of Ani. This site is a paramount example of early Christian architecture in Armenia, reflecting the historical and cultural developments of the region during the early medieval period.
Mumbai’s tower of silence
The Tower of Silence, or dakhma, is a significant cultural and religious edifice located in Mumbai, specifically on the affluent Malabar Hill. This site is dedicated to the Zoroastrian practice of dokhmenashini, a funerary tradition that involves the exposure of deceased bodies to scavenger birds, primarily vultures. This practice, deeply rooted in the Zoroastrian belief system, aims to avoid contaminating the sacred elements of earth, fire, and water with decaying matter.