Kaisergruft or the Imperial Crypt was built in Vienna, in 1632. The Imperial Crypt was built beneath the Capuchin Church, in Vienna. It has been the primary entombment place for the members of the House of Habsburg. Crypts of the 107 metal sarcophagi range in style from puritan plain to exuberant rococo. Amazing Fact: 145 […]
St. Michael and All Angels Church was built in Blantyre, Malawi, between 1888 and 1891. St. Michael and All Angels Church was built on an original Scottish mission site. Built by Rev. David Clement Scott who had no formal architectural training, the church was built using clay bricks that were made on-site. No initial drawings
The Prussian National Monument for the Liberation Wars was built in Germany in 1821. The monument is a war memorial built in memory of Prussian soldiers and other citizens who were part of the Liberation Wars. The monument was built in cast iron and the ground plan resembled a German cross, with inscriptions and dates
The Shah Jahan Mosque was built in Sindh, Pakistan, in 1644. The Shah Jahan Mosque was built during the reign of the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan. Built with red bricks, the mosque is covered with blue glazed tiles, giving it a unique serene look. The domes were built in such a way that a person
One day, the Buddha told his disciples, “There lived a man who had four wives. When he was on his deathbed, he asked his first wife if she would accompany him after death. She refused. His second wife also refused to go with him, while his third wife accompanied him till the graveyard. However, his
The Chaukhandi Tombs were built near Karachi, Pakistan, between the 15th and the 18th century. The Chaukhandi Tombs are essentially an Islamic cemetery. However, their elaborate sandstone carvings and north-south orientation is what sets them apart. There are single tombs as well as tombs with as many as eight graves. The tombs sarcophagus has elaborate
The Buddha once told his disciples about a former life, when he and another man were sent to Hell. A cruel guard was in charge of them. He had a sharply pointed trident in his hand, and would jab the two men with it, to make them work even harder. One day, the guard treated
One day, the Buddha was sitting with his disciples when a sad farmer passed by. A disciple asked him why he looked so sad. The farmer said, “I had 12 cows, but they all ran away. I have a few acres of sesame seed plantation, but the insects have eaten up everything. I feel like
Mohenjo-Daro was an ancient urban settlement built in Sindh, Pakistan, around 2500 BC. While Mohenjo-Daro (Mound of the Dead) was the name given to the city in modern times, the original name remains unknown. The city was highly planned-out with an organized street grid having proper drainage systems, public baths, granary, guard towers and many
Once, there was an old beggar woman who wanted to make an offering to the Buddha. She only had one small coin, so she used it to buy some oil. She then took it to the monastery, lit a lamp, and placed it before the Buddha. “May I be blessed with the lamp of wisdom?”
Once, a wise Monkey King noticed a mango tree growing at the riverside. He thought, ‘If humans find out about these mangoes, they will drive us away from here.’ So, he ordered all the mangoes to be removed. However, a mango fell into the river. It flowed downstream into the hands of the Human King.
Once, a thief entered the home of Zen Master Shichiri Kojunw, while he was meditating. When the thief demanded money, the Zen master said, “Don’t disturb me. The money is in the drawer. You can take it.” The thief was surprised, but quickly emptied the drawer. The Zen master then said, “Leave me some money
Fasil Ghebbi was a fortress city built in Ethiopia in the 17th and the 18th century. Fasil Ghebbi, literally meaning ‘Royal Enclosure’, was home to the Ethiopian emperors. Built across 70,000 square metres, the fortress was enclosed by a curtain wall with twelve gates. The architectural style displayed is a diverse blend of influences including
Once, the Buddha’s disciples asked, “Why do the scholars and the hermits in Savatthi always argue about the eternal nature of the world, the soul and so on?” The Buddha explained, “Imagine what would happen if we gathered a group of blind men and tried to show them an elephant. Each one would be able
The people in King Brahmadatta’s kingdom were very superstitious. When they prayed to God, they always offered animal sacrifice, along with flowers and perfumes. They believed that God would not hear their prayers without the sacrifice. The king’s eldest son was very wise. He was a Bodhisattva in previous birth. He thought, ‘I must stop