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
Subject Areas : Islamic urbanismمحمد سعید ایزدی 1 , نسیم عسگری 2 , شهریار ناسخیان 3
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Abstract :
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.
