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Urban History Research Guide: Sacred Spaces

Goals

Describe the physical setting and architectural styles
What is the source of the sacredness?
What is the intended function of the space?
Describe the relationship to those who exercise political power
Link the sacred space to wider sacred geography

Temple of Heaven, China

Temple of Heaven
Source: World Religions: Belief, Culture, and Controversy
Temple of Heaven
Source: Credo Source
Temple of Heaven
Source: Smart History: The Center for Public Art History
Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing
Source: Credo Source
Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing
Source: UNESCO

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia
Source: World Religions: Belief, Culture, and Controversy
Hagia Sophia
Source: Britannica
Hagia Sophia, 532–37
Source: The Met
Hagia Sophia Throughout History: One Dome, Three Religions
Source: The Collector
Hagia Sophia
Source: History Channel

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

Dome of the Rock
Source: World Religions: Belief, Culture, and Controversy
Dome of the Rock
Source: Britannica
The Dome Of The Rock (Qubbat Al-Sakhra)
Source: Islamic Awareness.org
Jerusalem
Source: World Pilgrimage Guide

Chartres Cathedral, France

Chartres Cathedral
Source: World Religions: Belief, Culture, and Controversy
Chartres Cathedral
Source: UNESCO
Chartres Cathedral
Source: UNESCO Video (focus on the stained glass only)
Chartres Cathedral
Source: Britannica
Chartres Cathedral
Source: World History Encyclopedia

The Church of Saint George, Lalibela, Ethiopia

The Astonishing Architecture of Lalibela’s Monolithic Rock-Hewn Churches
Source: Ancient Origins
Bete Giyorgis of Lalibela
Source: Atlas Obscura
Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches
Source: World Religions: Belief, Culture, and Controversy
Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela
Source: UNESCO
The Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Source: Biblical Archaeology Society

Devil’s Tower, Wyoming, USA

American Indians
Source: National Park Service
Places
Source: National Park Service
First Stories
Source: National Park Service
Devils Tower National Monument
Source: Britannica
Devils Tower National Monument
Source: National Park Service
Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming
Source: Outside

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