List of Articles Sacred Place

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  1 - A Review of the Semantic and Physical Structure of Sacred Places Inviolable Zone; Based on Works of Travel Literatures written from the fifth to the fourteen centuries A.H
  Mohamad Saeed izadi Nasim Asgari Shahriar Nasekhian
  20.1001.1.2228639.1398.10.38.2.8
  In Islamic teachings, especially the Shia school of thought, the sanctity of every element is dependent on the divine essence; the closer the element’s attachment, the higher its sanctity. For this reason, the places of worship and sites of pilgrimage cities have for lo More

  In Islamic teachings, especially the Shia school of thought, the sanctity of every element is dependent on the divine essence; the closer the element’s attachment, the higher its sanctity. For this reason, the places of worship and sites of pilgrimage cities have for long been revered, attracting those seeking spirituality. It’s unfortunate that in recent times, overlooking the sanctity of sacred places, also called Inviolable Zones (Ha’rim), has led to the disturbance of integrity in the surrounding area and the distortion of the authenticity of these monuments, often with the excuse of urban development and on occasion for facilitating the pilgrimage itself. Undoubtedly, considering and reviewing related documents such as works of travel literature even if in an overall format, can provide a useful framework for the reconsideration of such destructive activities. This research is an effort to examine the semantic and physical structure of the inviolable zone of sacred places by relying on interpretive-historical methods with the inductive approach. It will discuss here, the contexts, literature and illustrated images of 48 pieces of travel literature dating back to fifth to the fourteenth centuries AH. It concludes that these sacred places have been perceived as “symbols and indications of a pilgrimage city” and were “individual and unique in their surrounding area” with due respect for their “integrated cohesion,” while preserving their interaction with the surrounding residential, commercial, educational, and other functions. Such structures were given the “spatial hierarchy” of the unique urban systems in which they were located. The conclusion explains the respect and sanctity regarding both physical and metaphysical aspects while conserving all tangible and intangible elements of the typology of religious heritage throughout the aforementioned era. The physical structure of the inviolable zone of these sacred places can be divided into three different scales: the core zone, the buffer zone and the sacred precinct which indicates that the holy shrines were not only limited to their surroundings but were deemed to emanate sanctity to the entire city. Finally, it should be considered that traditions, rituals and religious values play an active role in creating the semantic structure of the surrounding inviolable zone. Manuscript profile
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  2 - Phenomenological Interpretation of the Sacred Place in Iranian-Islamic Cities based on Presence of The Classical Elements (Case Study: Shrine of Shah Nematollah Vali)
  Somaye Talaei ali akbari mahdi hamzenejad
  20.1001.1.2228639.1399.11.42.4.5
  One of the most crucial issues encountering researchers in the field of Iranian-Islamic architecture and urban planning with the aim of preserving and perpetuating cultural values in the present era is the issue of overcoming formal and physical descriptions and gaining More

  One of the most crucial issues encountering researchers in the field of Iranian-Islamic architecture and urban planning with the aim of preserving and perpetuating cultural values in the present era is the issue of overcoming formal and physical descriptions and gaining a deep understanding of the nature and essence of the buildings. Since every building is a form of embodiment of ideas and worldviews of its builders and is additionally a metaphor of their existence in the world, a correct understanding of the building can enable the reproduction of historical identity in the present era. The purpose of this study is to analyze the structure of the tomb of Shah Nematollah Vali based on these assumptions that the ontological implications of the elements can be explained as meaningful signs of the structure of their interrelationship. In the present study, the philosophical foundation of research is interpretivism; the research approach is qualitative, and the analysis method is phenomenological. In analyzing the experience of space and the relationship between the building and the city, the following three assumptions were examined: 1. the hierarchy of spatial relations from the urban space to the dome creates a sense of spirituality in individuals. 2. The presence of four Classic Elements in successive spaces affects users' perception of space as a sacred one. 3. The presence of four Classic Elements as meaningful signs in the space increases the sense of place in pilgrims. To examine the above assumptions by analyzing the lived experience of people in the building, a questionnaire with 20 questions was prepared and distributed among 85 pilgrims and specialists. Data analysis shows that the manner and extent of the presence of four Classic Elements in consecutive scenes of the shrine of Shah Nematollah Vali, has a significant relationship with the perception of mystical meanings and spiritual journeys in the minds of the people and leads them to experience a different perceptual quality in each courtyard. And be more prepared to reach the shrine and pilgrimage at any moment. Manuscript profile