Sacred Places
Sacred places are as varied as the human sense of the sacred and as various as the world's many spiritual traditions. We explore the history, significance, and enduring power of places here and abroad that people consider most sacred.
A HISTORY OF BELIEF
New Mexico offers glimpses of old creeds and insights into contemporary spirituality.
ENDANGERED PLACES
For some places, the peril is neglect; for others, it is development.
PERSONAL PLACES
Sometimes it’s what you do in a place that gives it a special meaning.
HOUSES OF WORSHIP
From the Puritan icon to the new megachurch, values have shaped space.
PHOTO GALLERY
Spiritual corners of New Mexico through photographer Jim Lo Scalzo's lens.
YOUR SACRED PLACES
Tell us about your special spiritual locales by E-mailing: sacredplaces@usnews.com
(Jonathan Blair/Corbis)
THE ANCIENTS
Places from the distant past that embody the sacred beliefs of their times.
(Jim Hollander/EPA/Corbis)
THE RELIGIONS OF ABRAHAM
Places sacred to the three major faiths that trace their roots to Abraham: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
(Raminder Pal Singh/EPA/Corbis)
EASTERN FAITHS
The holiest sites for Hindus, Buddhists, Shintoists, Sikhs and Confucians.
Pilgrims queue to enter the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain August 16, 2004. Catholics believe Santiago de Compostela to be the burial place of the Apostle Saint James, whose shrine has drawn pilgrims from all over Europe for more than 1,000 years. Many pilgrims are choosing 2004 to do their pilgrimage because it is a Holy Year, which means the faithful can earn plenary indulgence, or the cancellation of the time they would have had to spend in purgatory for their sins. (Miguel Vidal/Reuters)
THE SEEKERS
Places that draw pilgrims of various beliefs—and the simply curious.
PHOTO CREDITS: Mezquita of Cordoba: JEAN DOMINIQUE DALLET-AURORA; Karnak Temple: JONATHAN BLAIR-CORBIS; Church of the Holy Sepulchre: JIM HOLLANDER-EPA/CORBIS; Golden Temple: RAMINDER PAL SINGH-EPA/CORBIS; Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela: MIGUEL VIDAL-REUTERS
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