How is religion

seen in the cultural

landscape?

Cultural landscape = • The visible imprint of human activity &

culture on the landscape

• The environment built by humans

• The forms superimposed on the physical environment by the activities of humans

Religion & the Cultural Landscape • Marks cultural landscape with – Houses of worship– Cemeteries– Religious symbols & icons– Stores designated for sales of religious goods– Sacred sites

Pilgrimage

• When adherents voluntarily travel to a religious site to pay respect or participate in a ritual at the site.

• Part of both ethnic & universalizing religions

• Not a mission trip – no goal to convert people.

• Purpose of travels is to have a connection with the sacred spaces of their faith.

Sacred Sites • Places or spaces people

infuse with religious meaning

• Historically, buttes (a conspicuous isolated hill with steep, often vertical sides & a small,

relatively flat top), mountain peaks, or rivers have often been considered sacred.

Merrick's Butte in Arizona

Jerusalem• Sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims

Jews Christians Muslims •Most sacred site: Wailing Wall (aka Western Wall)•Temple Mount was the site of 2 great temples of the Jewish people

•Jerusalem is sacred site b/c of the sacrifice Abraham was willing to make of Isaac, his son, & b/c Jesus’ crucifixion took place outside of the city’s walls

•Al-Haram al-Sharif/Dome of the Rock is where Muslims believe Mohammad ascended into heaven

Landscapes of Hinduism & Buddhism

• Hindus believe the construction of a temple bestows merits on the builder & will be rewarded

• The Hindu cultural landscape is dotted with countless shrines – Often near water b/c water has a

holy function and ritual bathing is important in Hinduism

Varanasi, India • Hindus perform morning rituals in the

Ganges River at one of Hinduism’s most sacred places, the city of Varanasi, known as the city of Lord Shiva

Sacred Sites of Buddhism • Bodh Gaya, India– Location where Buddha sat under a

Bodhi tree & received enlightenment • Stupas – Bell-shaped structures that protect

burial mounds, contain a piece of the Buddha

• Pagodas

Landscapes of Christianity • Medieval Europe: cathedral,

church, or monastery was the focus of life

• The Reformation, the rise of secularism, and the decline of organized religion are reflected in the cultural landscape – Churches closing, fewer

services offered

Landscapes of Islam• Mosques with

minarets, from which the faithful are called to prayer 5 times a day

• Geometric designs & calligraphy, rather than depiction of the human body

Islamic Pilgrimage• Hajj – one of the Five Pillars of Islam • All Muslims, if financially and physically able, must

make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime

• Access to Mecca is restricted, allowing Muslims only. The Saudi Arabian government believes that allowing non-Muslim tourists to visit Mecca would disturb the sanctity of these places.