Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia Dec 29, 2024

Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia

Imagine a colossal puzzle made from over 2 million stone blocks—that"s Borobudur, seen in today"s image. Built during the 9th century in the reign of the Shailendra dynasty—an influential ruling family in Southeast Asia—it"s the world"s largest Buddhist temple, standing tall on the island of Java, Indonesia. This ancient sanctum has withstood centuries of natural challenges, including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, thanks to its advanced interlocking stone system. Historically, Borobudur was an important pilgrimage site. After being abandoned for centuries, it was rediscovered in the 19th century by the English lieutenant governor Thomas Stamford Raffles.

© Robertharding/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

Dec 29, 2018When science looks like magic
Dec 29, 2019Helloooooo, Innsbruck
Dec 29, 2020Where the glow of the holidays lingers
Dec 29, 2021Mountain goats
Dec 29, 2022Silver-studded blue butterflies
Dec 29, 2023Oud-West, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Dec 29, 2025St. Gregory Church in Ani Ruins, Kars, Türkiye

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 10, 2021A shell of many colors
Feb 6, 2023Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Oct 31, 2023Halloween
Sep 21, 2025Sea Otter Awareness Week
Aug 19, 2022National Aviation Day
Mar 30, 2018The Vestibule at Diocletian s Palace, Split, Croatia
May 14, 2022Windmills in Kinderdijk, the Netherlands
Aug 7, 2021Salt of the earth
Jul 12, 2020A day to take a moment
Jan 29, 2022Brain coral
Jan 5, 2020Digging the birds
Jan 12, 2022Take the Stairs Day
Oct 5, 2025World Teachers Day
Nov 9, 2024Aït Benhaddou, Morocco
Dec 6, 2018The owl that loved football
Jan 4, 2023Earth at Perihelion
Nov 2, 2025Maple and bamboo forests in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan
Dec 7, 2020In memory of those lost
Jan 13, 2020Welcome to California
Dec 20, 2024Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Oct 20, 2022International Sloth Day
Aug 27, 2020Rocks on the move
Aug 2, 2018The Aomori Nebuta Festival parade, Japan
Jan 30, 2023Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships
Feb 23, 2020An icy extravaganza
Apr 29, 2022Arbor Day
Jan 3, 2021An Alpine fairy-tale castle
Jun 24, 2019A summertime light show
Apr 11, 2020Think deep thoughts
Jun 4, 2025The beach at Cala Luna, Sardinia, Italy