Temple of Solomon, Sao Paulo

The Temple of Solomon is a reproduction of the historic Temple of Solomon, constructed by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) in São Paulo.

As per reports from the Brazilian media, this new temple is considered an "exact replica" of the ancient Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. According to the leader of the church, the external appearance closely mirrors the original temple in Jerusalem, albeit with larger dimensions. This temple was officially inaugurated on July 31, 2014, and the event drew thousands of worshippers, including the former Brazilian President, Dilma Rousseff.

The Temple serves a dual purpose as both a place of worship and as the global headquarters for the Church. This mega-church has the capacity to accommodate 10,000 worshippers and stands at a towering height of 55 meters (equivalent to an 18-story building). Consequently, its size surpasses that of the temple it replicates, which is described in the Bible as being comparatively modest, with a height of approximately thirteen meters.

The temple's main area is the central sanctuary, featuring Spanish pews facing the main altar. A conveyor belt system collects tithes and offerings, and the ceiling sparkles with 10,000 LED bulbs resembling stars. Jewish-themed decorations, including menorahs on the walls and a central menorah at the entrance, complete the ambiance.

The church spared no expenses in designing the temple. It includes 36 rooms for children's Bible school (1,300 capacity), radio and TV studios, and a temple museum. There are 84 apartments for bishops and pastors, and outdoor features like a helicopter pad, a Gethsemane-inspired garden, and flags of various countries. The complex has a 1,000-vehicle parking lot, classrooms for 1,300 children, and in-house radio and TV studios.

The temple's standout feature is its central altar, housing a precise replica of the Ark of the Covenant as described in Exodus. The entire structure is adorned in gold leaf. Behind the ark is the temple's baptistry, and above the altar, there are 100 square meters of gold-stained glass windows, with an inscription that reads "Holiness to the Lord."