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.

Evocative essays describe religious sites and explain the spiritual significance of each as well as it connections with religious leaders and holy figures. Color photographs and paintings capture the detail of cathedrals, mosques, and ancient shrines.

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.

... "Twenty years of photographs by photographer and anthropologist Martin Gray. Accompanying each photograph is commentary that takes us into the history, mythology and spiritual magnetism of the particular place ..."--Jacket.

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

A breathtaking flight over the great historical sites of the Holy Land with an explanation of their rich historical, biblical, and cultural significance.