Locations

The highest mountain in Greece and the mythological home of the twelve Olympian gods.

The gloomy realm of the dead ruled by Hades, located deep beneath the earth.

The site of the oracle of Apollo, considered the center of the world (omphalos) by the ancient Greeks.

The sanctuary of Zeus and site of the ancient Olympic Games, featuring a colossal statue of Zeus—one of the Seven Wonders.

A powerful city-state and setting of many tragic myths including Oedipus, the Seven Against Thebes, and Dionysus's revenge.

The distant kingdom at the edge of the known world where the Golden Fleece was kept, guarded by an ever-watchful dragon.

The great island kingdom of King Minos, home to the Labyrinth where the Minotaur dwelt, and birthplace of Zeus.

The island kingdom of Odysseus, whose twenty-year journey home from Troy is told in Homer's Odyssey.

The powerful warrior city-state, home of Helen whose abduction sparked the Trojan War, and Menelaus her husband.

The legendary walled city besieged for ten years by the Greeks, eventually fallen to the cunning of the wooden horse.

The sacred island birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, where their mother Leto finally found refuge to give birth.

The volcanic island where Hephaestus landed after being cast from Olympus, and where he established his forge.

The island where Theseus abandoned Ariadne, only for Dionysus to find and marry her, making it sacred to the wine god.

A dramatic clifftop promontory crowned by the Temple of Poseidon, where Aegeus leapt to his death upon seeing black sails.

The site of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, associated with pharaonic power and the afterlife.

A vast mix of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings near Luxor, primarily dedicated to Amun.

The ancient City of the Sun, center of Ra worship and home to the Ennead—the nine primordial creator gods.

The ancient capital of Egypt, cult center of Ptah the creator god, and gateway between Upper and Lower Egypt.

The cult center of Osiris and gateway to the underworld, where pharaohs built cenotaphs to be near the god of the dead.

The center of Roman public life, containing major temples including the Temple of Vesta and Temple of Saturn.

The citadel of the earliest Romans and site of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus.

The sacred peak in Tibet considered the abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, axis mundi of the cosmos.

The spiritual capital of India, situated on the banks of the Ganges, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities and sacred to Shiva.

The birthplace and capital of Lord Rama, setting of the great epic Ramayana and one of Hinduism's seven sacred cities.

The golden island kingdom of the demon king Ravana, who abducted Sita and was defeated by Rama's army.

The most sacred Shinto shrine, dedicated to Amaterasu the sun goddess, ritually rebuilt every 20 years.

One of the most ancient and important Shinto shrines, dedicated to Okuninushi, lord of the unseen world.

Japan's highest and most sacred mountain, believed to be the dwelling place of kami and a source of immortality.

The earthly domain granted to Susanoo after his exile from heaven, where he slew the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi.

A grand prehistoric passage tomb and the home of the Dagda (and later Aengus). Associated with the winter solstice.

The ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland and a sacred dwelling place of the gods.

The capital city of the Aztec Empire, built on an island in Lake Texcoco. Site of the Templo Mayor.

The mythical mountain paradise in the west, dwelling of Xiwangmu (Queen Mother of the West) and source of the peaches of immortality.

A range of scorching mountains created when Sun Wukong kicked over Laozi's alchemical furnace during his rampage in Heaven. The monk Tang Sanzang and his disciples had to obtain the Banana Leaf Fan from Princess Iron Fan to extinguish the flames and pass through.

The great city of Marduk, center of the Babylonian Empire and home to the Esagila temple and the ziggurat Etemenanki. The name means 'Gate of the Gods' and the city was considered the axis mundi of the Mesopotamian cosmos.

The city of Gilgamesh and Inanna, one of the first true cities in human history. Its mighty walls, said to be built by Gilgamesh himself, enclosed the great E-anna temple complex sacred to both Anu and Inanna.

A vast primordial forest at the edge of civilization, guarded by the monster Humbaba appointed by Enlil. Gilgamesh and Enkidu ventured here to slay Humbaba and make their names immortal.

The legendary Toltec capital associated with Quetzalcoatl as priest-king. A place of artistic and cultural perfection where corn grew in brilliant colors and cotton grew already dyed. Quetzalcoatl was tricked into disgrace here by Tezcatlipoca.

The great Maya-Toltec city dominated by El Castillo, the pyramid of Kukulkan. During the equinoxes, shadows create the illusion of a serpent descending the stairs. The cenote here received sacrificial offerings to Chaac.

The 'Place Where Gods Are Made,' site of the Fifth Sun's creation. Here the gods gathered in darkness, and Nanahuatzin sacrificed himself in fire to become the sun. The Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon mark this sacred ground.

The home of Pele, goddess of volcanoes, located on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Halemaumau crater within Kilauea is considered Pele's residence, where she creates new land through volcanic eruptions. One of the most active volcanoes on Earth.

The tallest mountain in Hawaii and home of Poliahu, the snow goddess. Its summit, often covered with snow, is considered sacred and represents the realm of ice that opposes Pele's volcanic fire. The name means 'White Mountain.'

The 'House of the Sun' on the island of Maui, where according to Hawaiian tradition, Maui captured and beat the sun to slow its passage across the sky. The massive volcanic crater is one of Hawaii's most sacred sites.

The northernmost tip of New Zealand, where Maori tradition holds that the spirits of the dead depart for the afterlife. Souls travel north along the island, descend an ancient pohutukawa tree, and slide down its roots into the sea to journey to Hawaiki.

An island in the Society Islands group, traditionally considered one of the most sacred places in Polynesia. The marae (temple) of Taputapuatea was a center of religious and political power, from which voyaging canoes departed to settle distant islands.

The holiest city in Yoruba religion, where Obatala first descended from heaven and created land from the primordial waters. Known as 'the navel of the world' and the place where creation began. The city remains the spiritual center of Yoruba tradition, and its kings trace descent from the Orishas.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most important shrine to the goddess Oshun. Located along the Osun River in Nigeria, the grove contains ancient sculptures, shrines, and sanctuaries. The annual Osun-Osogbo Festival draws hundreds of thousands of worshippers from around the world.

The capital of the ancient Oyo Empire and the city where Shango ruled as the fourth Alaafin (king). After his tragic death and deification, Oyo became a center of Shango worship. The city represents the intersection of historical kingship and divine mythology in Yoruba tradition.