Originally uploaded by MarkFe

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Originally uploaded by MarkFe

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The Blue Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in the world and one of very few to have six minarets. The cascading domes and six slender minarets of the Sultanahmet Mosque (better known as the “Blue Mosque”) dominate the skyline of Istanbul.

In the 17th century, Sultan Ahmet I wished to build an Islamic place of worship to rival the Hagia Sophia, and the mosque named for him is the impressive result. The two great architectural achievements stand next to each other in Istanbul’s main square, and it is up to visitors to decide which is more impressive.

Construction on the mosque began in 1609 and took seven years. Sultan Ahmet died only a year after the completion of his masterpiece, at the age of 27. He is buried just outside the mosque with his wife and three sons.

One of the most notable features of the Blue Mosque is visible from far away: its six minarets. This is very unique, as most mosques have four, two or just one minaret. According to one account, the Sultan directed his architect to make gold (altin) minarets, which was misunderstood as six (alti) minarets.

Photo taken at (China Town) Binondo, Manila
Originally uploaded by MarkFe

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Every Chinese New Year or any special festivities in China Town, Lion Dancers and Dragon Dancers are performing on every stores and streets.

The lion dance costumes used in these celebrations are often made in specialty craft shops in rural China and imported at considerable expense using funds raised through subscriptions and pledges made by members of local cultural and business societies.

Originally uploaded by MarkFe

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Basilica de San Martin de Tours in Taal is the largest church in Asia, standing 96 meters long and 45 meters wide. The Augustinian Missionaries started construction in 1756, but it was destroyed when Taal volcano erupted in 1754. It took a century for the church to achieve its present form. St. Martin of Tours is the patron of Taal, whose feast is celebrated every November 11.

Taal Basilica was first built in present day San Nicolas, Batangas, by Fray.Deigo Espina in 1575 under the Augustinians, with San Martin de Tours as patron saint. In 1754 the church was destroyed along with the town Taal in the eruption of the Taal volcano. It was then that the church was transferred to its present site. Father Martin Aguirre donated the land for the new church in 1755, but in 1849 it was destroyed again by an earthquake. Construction of the new church began in 1856 to 1878, the Spanish architect Luciano Oliver commissioned to design and manage the construction of the present church. A small tower was made on its left side but it was destroyed during Japanese occupation. It was reconstructed later and it was then taller than the original. The church was made into a basilica on 8 December, 1954 and was declared a national shrine on January 16, 1974. The conical coronation of the Our Lady of Caysasay was also made in basilica in 1954. Taal Basilica is consider as the biggest church in the Philippines and in Asia.