Sacred Sites And Holy Places

In this volume two important veins of interdisciplinary research into the medieval period in Scandinavia and the Baltic region are merged, namely the Christianization process and landscape studies. The volume authors approach the common theme of sacrality in landscape from such various viewpoints as archaeology, philology, history of religion, theology, history, classical studies, and art history. A common theme in all articles is a theoretical approach, complemented by illustrative case studies from the Scandinavian, Baltic, or Classical worlds. Aspects of pagan religion, as well as Christianity and the establishment of the early Church, are considered within both geographical setting and social landscape, while the study of maps, place names, and settlement patterns introduces new methodologies and perspectives to expose and define the sacral landscape of these regions. The contributions are put into perspective by a comparison with research into the sacral landscapes of Central Europe and the Classical world. New interdisciplinary research methods and new models have been developed by the contributors to present new vistas of sacrality in the Scandinavian and the Baltic landscape. To open up these case studies, a selection of over sixty images and maps accompanies this cutting-edge research, allowing the reader to explore sacralization and the Christianization process within its medieval setting.

Eduardo Rubio Mendéz travelled the length and breadth of the world for three years, visiting a hundred or so countries and taking over 70,000 photographs. His mission? To search for God and the gods, as well as those who believe in them, and live with them and off them. His journey took him to all the most holy places of the earth and revealed a whole host of legends. In the process he met people who seek in their gods meaning, redemption, consolation and miracles. The transcendent photographs he took on his pilgrimage portray spaces of nature and humanity, of landscapes and rural areas: all are imbued with a sacred atmosphere that overflows from within.

This account of holy sites and mysterious ruins aims to capture the spirit of the places themselves. It explains their myths and legends and shows their continuing importance down the ages. Part One examines over 100 key sites and shows how they came to be regarded as sacred and their subsequent history. The sites are divided geographically into sections, such as Africa and the Middle East, Europe and Australia, and the Pacific. Each of these areas is introduced by a hand-drawn map showing all of the sites described and other areas of interest, such as ancient burial grounds, temples and natural sites. Part Two is a map-based gazetteer of over 1000 sacred sites. The sites are plotted over 20 maps, which are then followed by listings giving information about each holy place. The maps show the location of each site and the period in which it was built or used.

A travel guide to the world's most sacred locales offers travel tips and detailed maps to the Great Pyramid, Easter Island, the Himalayas, Ayers Rock, Chaco Canyon, Jericho, Delphi, Stonehenge, and Mayan ruins, among other sites of spiritual importance. Original.

Sacred Sites, Sacred Places explores the concept of 'sacred' and what it means and implies to people in differing cultures. It looks at why people regard some parts of the land as special and why this ascription remains constant in some cultures and changes in others. Archaeologists, legislators and those involved in heritage management sometimes encounter conflict with local populations over sacred sites. With the aid of over 70 illustrations the book examines the extreme importance of such sacred places in all cultures and the necessity of accommodating those intimate beliefs which are such a vital part of ongoing cultural identity. Sacred Sites, Sacred Places therefore will be of help to those who wish to be non-destructive in their conservation and excavation practices. This book is unique in attempting to describe the belief systems surrounding the existence of sacred sites, and at the same time bringing such beliefs and practices into relationship with the practical problems of everyday heritage management. The geographical coverage of the book is exceptionally wide and its variety of contributors, including indigenous peoples, archaeologists and heritage professionals, is unrivalled in any other publication.

Sacred places are not static entities but reveal a historical dynamic. This volume explores both the cultural developments that have shaped them and their varied multidimensional levels of significance.

Explains their myths and legends and shows their continued importance down the ages. Over 100 key sites are examined.

In the Roman Catholic world, the hundreds of places honored as holy continue to inspire intense feelings of religious faith &, many believe, to perform miracles. This is an inspirational & informative guide to the religious & cultural meaning of these special places. Illustrated with images from Western art, photos, stained glass, artists' renderings, & holy cards, this book focuses on 10 of the best-known Catholic holy sites: Chartres Cathedral, Santiago de Compostela, & St. Peter's Basilica; the catacombs in Rome; Croagh Patrick, a rocky cliff in Ireland from which St. Patrick expelled the demons; the sanctuary in the church of Chimayo in New Mexico, where the soil is said to have miraculous properties; etc. Includes a history & description of each site. Color photos.