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.Case Histories Theological Perspectives and Political Decisions
