Naming the Sacred

Religious Toponymy in History, Theology and Politics. With a foreword by Alon Goshen-Gottstein

Contributions by Saverio Campanini Contributions by W. Cole Durham Jr. Contributions by Nikolai Lipatov-Chicherin Contributions by Rita Lizzi Testa Contributions by Merav Mack Contributions by Alberto Melloni Contributions by Paul Morris Contributions by Peter Petkoff Contributions by Roberto Regoli Contributions by Mario Ricca Contributions by Silvia Ronchey Contributions by Robert O. Smith Contributions by Alon Goshen-Gottstein Edited by Anna Mambelli Edited by Valentina Marchetto

Book cover: Naming the Sacred

Extent: 230 pages

Publisher: V&R unipress

Subjects: Religious Studies, Social Sciences 

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(May 2019)

ISBN: 9783847109730

6.3 x 9.33 inches

Price: $69.00

In stock

At what point is a place perceived as holy? And when does it become officially so in its definition? Inspired by the UNESCO debate and decisions made concerning holy places, the authors seek answers to these questions. “Naming the Sacred” is a diachronic excursus into the issues of perception and denomination of holy places. This volume examines historical cases in which names and places have been modified or literally eliminated and others where places were subject to policies of protection and tutelage. The work appertains to an ongoing, evolving global debate where the challenge of the reciprocal recognition of holy sites has become increasingly complex.


At what point is a place perceived as holy? And when does it become officially so in its definition? Inspired by the UNESCO debate and decisions made concerning holy places, the authors seek answers to these questions. “Naming the Sacred” is a diachronic excursus into the issues of perception and denomination of holy places. The volume examines historical cases in which names and places have been modified or literally eliminated and others where places were subject to policies of protection and tutelage. The work appertains to an ongoing, evolving global debate where the challenge of the reciprocal recognition of holy sites has become increasingly complex.

  • Contributions by Saverio Campanini
  • Contributions by W. Cole Durham Jr.
  • Contributions by Nikolai Lipatov-Chicherin
  • Contributions by Rita Lizzi Testa
  • Contributions by Merav Mack
  • Contributions by Alberto Melloni
  • Contributions by Paul Morris
  • Contributions by Peter Petkoff
  • Contributions by Roberto Regoli
  • Contributions by Mario Ricca
  • Contributions by Silvia Ronchey
  • Contributions by Robert O. Smith
  • Contributions by Alon Goshen-Gottstein
  • Edited by Anna Mambelli
  • Edited by Valentina Marchetto