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.

Et billedværk i farver om verdens religiøse helligdomme, deres tilblivelse, historie, arkæologi og funktion i dag

A comprehensive illustrated guide to the world's sacred places and spiritual centers.

This beautifully illustrated guide explores the connections between people, faith, and landscape and features plans, reconstructions, and stunning photography of little-known holy sites. Beginning with the magnificent cathedrals, mosques, and temples of the world's great religions and concluding with earthworks, and holy mountains, wells, and rivers, it traces the wisdom these spots embody and explores the ways in which we gain spiritual insights from them today. The examination of sites of pilgrimage, sacred stones, and places of isolation and meditation-from the Chapel of the Nativity of Christ in Jerusalem to Mount Tai Shan, the most revered of China's five sacred mountains-make this an essential reference work for anyone fascinated by ancient traditions and religions.