Geographies of Religious Spaces and Sacred Landscapes

This illuminating book explores the pivotal role of sacred landscapes in todays globalized world, analyzing the latest research of how political, social and historical factors influence their creation, preservation and transformation. It examines the significance of sacred landscapes in shaping social identity and community history, providing valuable insights into their rich heritage and evolving traditions. Darius Liutikas brings together renowned scholars to discuss religious rituals, practices and sanctuaries, comparing sacred sites from different religions and revealing the cultural and spiritual importance of these spaces across diverse regions. Contributors discuss globalized challenges, and outline theories, concepts and practical examples relating to the anthropological and sociological backgrounds of sacred landscapes. Exploring the nexus between religion and geography, the book demonstrates how sacred spaces adapt to meet the needs of evolving societies, highlighting the relationship between religious traditions and their spatial expressions. Geographies of Religious Spaces and Sacred Landscapes is a thought-provoking and highly accessible read, designed for students and academics in cultural sociology, human geography, religious studies and pilgrimage studies. Its discerning insights will also greatly benefit practitioners in cultural anthropology and tourism.