Wyoming (1,559 m) – Sacred Mountain of the Lakota and Other Local Tribes Devil’s Tower is one of the most unique and amazing rock formations on Earth. Formed by a highly unlikely combination of geological processes, the result is an immense monolith of mixed sedimentary rock that rises like a nearly vertical column from the surrounding plain. Also known as the Brown Buffalo … [Read more...]
HUAYNA PICCHU & MACCHU PICCHU
Peru (2,720 m, 2,430 m) – Secret Mountain Retreat of the Incan Emperors The two mountains known as Macchu Picchu and Huayna Picchu are among the most famous natural and historic sites in the Americas. The former, recently designated as one of the New Seven Wonders, was the site of last secret palatial residence of the Incan Emperors. The latter is the magnificent peak that … [Read more...]
MOUNT TARANAKI
New Zealand (2,518 m) – Sacred Mountain of the Maori Mount Taranaki is arguably the most prominent and famous geological features of New Zealand’s North Island. An inactive stratavolcano, Taranaki is famous among geologists due to the fact that it has collapsed and reformed due to eruptions on at least five separate occasions, an extreme rarity. Its name is Maori and means … [Read more...]
MOUNT COOK
New Zealand (3,754 m) – Sacred Mountain of the Maori and Highest Peak in New Zealand Mount Cook, located close to the center of New Zealand’s south island, is the tallest peak of this nation as well as the South Pacific. It is also one of the most sacred places of the Maori tribesmen, and has been a place of religious pilgrimage since pre-European times. It is named in honor … [Read more...]
PICO DE ORIZABA
Mexico (5,636 m) – Sacred Mountain of the Aztecs and Other Local Tribes Pico de Orizaba, a dormant volcano, is the highest mountain in Mexico. It last erupted in the 1800s. A religiously and culturally important peak to pre-Columbian civilizations, the mountain was a site of worship and pilgrimage to various groups including the Totanacs, Olmecs, Aztecs and Mayans. Pico de … [Read more...]
MOUNT HUASCARAN
Peru (6,768 m) – Sacred Incan Site Honoring Huascar Mount Huascaran is the tallest mountain in Peru, and one of the tallest mountains in the world when measured from the Earth’s polar axis. Held to be sacred to the Incas, the mountain was named in honor of Huascar, who served as emperor during the 16th century. Huascaran is the centerpiece of Huascaran National Park, which … [Read more...]
LYSA HORA
Ukraine (N/A) – Mythical Home of Chernobog Lysa Hora is one of the most famous ancient sacred places in Eastern Europe. Better known in English by the translation of its name, which means “Bald Mountain”, Lysa Hora has been immortalized in the popular imagination by the writings of Nikolai Gogol, the music of Modest Mussorgsky, and most famously by its prominent appearance in … [Read more...]
MOUNT AQRAA
Syria/Turkey (1,709 m) – Sacred Pagan Site Mount Aqraa on the Mediterranean coast was an incredibly important site in ancient times. Standing at one of the primary terminus points of the Silk Road, it was a landmark for both caravans and maritime travelers. But it was most famous a religious center, and was the site of many temples and shrines from the time of the Canaanites … [Read more...]
MOUNT KAZBEK
Georgia/Russia (2,535 m) – Sacred Pagan Site Mount Kazbek is one of the great mountains of the Caucasus region, and among the tallest mountains in both Russia and the nation of Georgia. It is associated with the local mythology of the area, and may be related to Greek legends as well. Although its name means “glacier”, the glacial coverage on the mountain is minimal due to … [Read more...]
MOUNT DAMAVAND
Iran (5,610 m) – Sacred Pagan Persian Site Mount Damavand is a dormant volcano, the tallest volcano in mainland Asia and the highest mountain in Iran. It has been considered a sacred mountain since before the arrival of the Abrahamic faiths in the region, and is closely associated with Zoroastrian mythology. Damavand is also the iconic natural symbol of the modern-day nation … [Read more...]
