Before-and-after photos show how the earthquake demolished Nepal's sacred sites

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit Nepal over the weekend claimed thousands of lives and left hundreds of thousands of people stranded in tent cities. The displaced people of Nepal are not only mourning the loss of their homes but also grieving for their country's shattered architectural gems.

The Kathmandu Valley World Heritage property, designated by UNESCO, took the brunt of the damage on Saturday. The site is made up of seven zones of historic monuments and buildings; see how they fared below.

Dharahara Tower was erected in 1832 as a watchtower for the queen. The lighthouse-looking watchtower once offered panoramic views of Kathmandu Valley.

Geoff Stearns/FLICKR

AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha

Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of Kathmandu's most historic locations, is home to palaces, temples, courtyards, and government institutions. The square once served as the social, religious, and urban hub of the capital city.

bgabel/Wikimedia Commopns

REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Patan Durbar Square's cluster of spectacular temples was considered one of Patan's greatest architectural treasures. The complex once housed the city's royal family.

redjett/FLICKR

Just visited #Patandurbarsquare ,some part is still safe #NepalEarthquake pic.twitter.com/xd9bSJIECM

- Pradip Pariyar (@ppariyar) April 27, 2015

Bhaktapur Durbar Square, 15 kilometers from Kathmandu, contains sculptures, woodcarvings, and colossal pagoda temples exemplary of Nepal's art history.

Marko Samastur/FLICKR

Photo from Bhaktapur Durbar square. Vatsala Temple gone but a lot still looking intact. Don't know about other sq. pic.twitter.com/rsTCZWIxcC

- Dave from TLWH (@TLWH) April 27, 2015

The iconic Swayambhunath stupa perches on top of a hill, and its glittering golden spire can be seen from miles. Shops and smaller temples nearby fell to rubble within 15 seconds.

Shutterstock/salajean

Aerial View: What remains of the #Swayambhunath Stupa area after #NepalEarthquake (+4K Killed) #NepalQuake #Nepal pic.twitter.com/KFii64d6jj

- JigmeUgen (@JigmeUgen) April 27, 2015

The largest stupa in Nepal, Boudhanath Stupa is revered as the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. Thousands gather daily to make a kora, or ritual walk around the perimeter, of the dome.

R.M. Nunes/Shutterstock

@mdenhoet .@mdenhoet Thank you - I've now heard from friends in Nepal - Sadly Boudhanath Stupa has been damaged .. pic.twitter.com/RR3jf0ZrOt

- Jane Samuels (@Jane_Samuels) April 25, 2015

Boudhanath Stupa, the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet damaged in quake. pic.twitter.com/WzCvkvXZ31

- Ergo Sum (@sauterne) April 25, 2015

The final monument groupings in the Kathmanu Valley World Heritage property are the famous Pashupatinath Temple, built in the fifth century, and the Changu Narayan, a double-roofed temple to Vishnu. The Pashupatinath Temple survived the earthquake unscathed; the Changu Narayan is reportedly damaged, although pictures have yet to surface.