A holy place

• A holy place

To observe how nature affects the human religiosity, Argentine Fernando Mussel (Fernando Maselli) photographed places recognized as sacred in different cultures and beliefs.

The word "hierophany" Permission to use the Romanian historian of religion Mircea Eliade, is a phenomenon that is perceived in any given culture as sacred. Hierophany can be any material object: mountain, forest, river, stone, animal or plant.

Garajonay, Spain

Garajonay National Park, located on the island of Gomera Canary Islands, was once home to the first local settlers. Name of the area gave the legend of the Gare and Honan - lovers who jumped off the cliff together when the parents have forbidden them to be together. Mountain peak Alto de Garajonay 1375 meters high is one of the main holy places of the island.

Balaytus, Spain

With Balaytus peak height of 3144 meters begins the highest part of the Pyrenees. The local legends and mythology of ancient mountain called cursed, causing gloomy feelings.

Forest Savassona, Spain

In the center of the sacred forest Savassona located a stone in Catalonia, many centuries ago served as an altar of sacrifice. Other stones were carved in wood in the form of tombstones are cut or sacred symbols. The place has not lost its appeal to the ministers of worship and in the Christian era - this is indicated by two preserved Romanesque chapel in the woods.

The peak of Sagrado Corazón, Spain

One of the highest peaks of the mountain range Picos de Europa (2211 meters above sea level) to this day is a pilgrimage site - Hundreds of Catholics climb the mountain to pay homage to the symbolic image of the Holy Christ of the heart, which is located on the mountain in 1900.

Duraton River Gorge, Spain

The gorge was considered sacred even in the prehistoric era - a testament to serve hundreds of samples of rock art on its walls. Later in local caves hermits settled, and several churches and Franciscan monastery were built on the banks.

pedraforca, Spain

The name of this mountain in the Pyrenees comes from the Latin "petra furca" - "stone forks." Doubled the tip, through which the mountain was named, according to legend - a favorite place for the witches' sabbath. On the night of Saint Juan alleged witch in turn pass through the hole in the mountain.

The Teide, Spain

Teide volcano on the island of Tenerife, believed by the indigenous inhabitants of the island Guanches, was housing the evil demon guayota. In later legends Teide appears as the main sacred mountain of the Canary Islands.

Forest Orrius, Spain

Forest Orrius near Barcelona for centuries served as a place of mystical ceremonies: on its territory there are several ancient dolmens. In the 1960s, the forest was a place of pilgrimage for ufologists around the world, and to this day there are regularly collected mediums and psychics from different countries to carry out magical experience.

Cave dolls, Spain

Located in the National Park Desenyaperros, this cave was sacred to the Iberians already in 5-4 centuries BC. e. In it, you can still watch the samples of ancient stone sculptures. In the Romanesque period, the cave also remained a place of worship, it brought gifts to the gods, and next to it built temples.

Canigó, France

Since 1955, at the top of the holy mountain in the French Pyrenees Canigó (in the northern part of the old Catalonia) on the day of Saint Juan kindle a fire, whose flames volunteers spread throughout Catalonia as a symbol of life in the region. At the foot of the mountain is an active monastery of San Martin de Canigó and San Miguel de Kuysha.

Peak Ani, Spain

The Basque name of this peak in the Pyrenees - Auñamendi - translated as "mountain of roe deer". In the mythology of the Basque mountain territory was considered a deity Ani Zhonagorri, Red Lord. In his garden at Mount Zhonagorri he cultivated fruit of immortality, scaring off thieves, hail and thunderstorms.

The mouth of the river Siraunsa, Spain

In pre-Christian Spanish water was considered sacred and inviolable. Springs, wells, rivers, and in particular their mouth, venerated as relics. This source was located several Roman altars, including one dedicated to the nymphs.

Rift Roland, Spain

According to the legend, this impressive break in the Pyrenees formed by the impact of Roland, nephew of Charlemagne, who tried to destroy the sword Durandal, that he has not got to the enemy.

The Black Cave, Spain

About the ritual use of the caves dating from the Roman period say inscription in Latin, which were discovered on the walls. As stated in one of these inscriptions, a spring of water in the cave has a healing power.

Adarra, Spain

Mount Adarra in Basque from bottom to top dotted megalithic structures: there are 34 stone circle 4 dolmen 3 rectangular stone box for burial and two stone obelisk - menhir. On the first day of the new year is still traditionally carried out renovation rituals.

Cape Creus, Spain

The easternmost point of mainland Spain is also rich in megalithic monuments. Greeks lived here built on the site of the goddess Aphrodite and Artemis, and in the 8th century BC. e. Christian monks rebuilt the temple of the church and monastery.