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Hartmut Krinitz

Along the GR 34 hiking trail that snakes the coast of Brittany, France, a Christianised menhir, or an upright stone, dedicated to Saint Uzec stands next to a chapel of the same name. The 17th-century Neolithic block weighs 60 tons and depicts carved images of the Passion of Christ. Its original function remains unknown.

Once tall enough for a horse and rider to pass beneath, Lanyon Quoit is Cornwall’s most recognizable and prominent megalithic site. The immense capstone, weighing more than 13 tons, originally sat on four upright stones until a thunderstorm toppled it in 1815. The site was resurrected nine years later with money raised by locals; it remains standing today.

The Spanish town of Valencia de Alcántara, only a few miles from Portugal, contains traces of human populations that date back to prehistoric times, including the largest collection of dolmens on the Iberian Peninsula. The grouping of megalithic funerary monuments consists of 41 dolmens in granite and slate.

The most popular megalithic site in Wales, Pentre Ifan is a remarkable burial chamber with a massive capstone delicately poised on three upright stones, dating roughly to 3500 BC.

Alone on Mount Ardu, this castle dates to 958 and overlooks the nearby village of Lapradelle-Puilaurens and surrounding ancient pine forests. Château de Puilaurens is one of the best preserved royal Cathar fortresses; it played a major role in defending the former frontier between France and the kingdom of Aragon. Enthusiastic hikers can make the 2,132-foot ascent to appreciate the natural defence of this mountain stronghold.

Meaning “holed stone” in Cornish, Men-An-Tol in Cornwall consists of four stones, the most remarkable being the circular and pierced upright stone. Like a donut from the Bronze Age, the hole is more than four feet in diameter; theories relate the design to lunar mapping.

Like the English version of Mont-Saint-Michel, this castle on a tidal island off Cornwall was given to the Benedictine religious order of Mont-Saint-Michel in the 11th century; the earliest buildings date to the 12th century. During low tide, visitors can cross the cobblestone causeway stretching from the mainland, then hop a motorboat back during high tide from the ancient harbour.

This isolated castle in the south of France is known as the last stronghold of the Cathars–the heretical Christian sect that flourished during the 12th and 13th centuries in western Europe. Visitors can drive almost to the top of this peak in the Pyrenees, then continue on a short 10-minute walk to the castle entrance.

The most prominent of the many island church settlements dotting Lough Erne–two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland–Devenish was founded in the sixth century. In the ninth century, Vikings raided the site, which burned in the 12th century before flourishing during the Middle Ages as a parish church and priory. After a short boat trip, visitors can explore the ruined Augustinian abbey with intricately carved sculptures, and then climb the hundred-foot-tall round tower for panoramic views.

Established in the 16th century, Agia Anna is the oldest and largest skete, or cloister, on Mount Athos, with 50 cells and huts occupied by about 85 monks. Male pilgrims can visit or stay for prayer and meditation with advance arrangement.