Sacred landscape for a global approach

Abstract

The sacred values of the landscape and their meaning depend on the cultural contexts of reference that over time have consolidated or modified traditions, rituals and beliefs. The sacredness of the landscape has no connection with materiality except with the sensory perception that helps man to feel and know what can not be touched. The sacred landscape establishes the relationship between man and nature, through an aesthetic in which it is not always possible to find a rational dimension. A relationship that persists in the territory with the ability to acquire a greater degree of sustainability than other properties. The fear on the part of UNESCO and of the religious and secular communities of a weakening of this heritage requires facing the concept of "sacred value", starting from a refraiming of the sacred landscape, the “Property of Religious Interest (PRI)”, expression of a very rich cultural and natural biodiversity. Are the sacred landscapes at risk? Where and why? Is it possible rewriting the landscape or not? What is the behavior of local communities and different target users? The contribution aims to analyze the concept of "sacred value" of the landscape with the support also of some significant examples taken from different cultural and geographical areas, very important case studies for a qualitative methodology with a global approach.