The sacred in the landscape of the city

Abstract

In current times of progressing desacralisation, a retrospective view of the transformations that take place in building this phenomenon from the landscape perspective of the city appears essential. The work' s main objective is the identification of the ongoing process on two scales: the micro and macro-scale and over time. The initial outline of the subject is meant to present the phenomenon within the structures of the city, the manner of its shaping and influence on the surroundings, orientation within space and strength of impact.

Using Composition to Assess and Enhance Visual Values in Landscapes

“…The presented study results also confirm the crucial role of architectural dominants, both sacral and secular, in landscape assessment [46,47] and evaluation. Characterized mainly by its scale and height and the fact that it usually interferes with the city's silhouette by surpassing its "skyline" [48], a dominant is frequently embodied by a strong form in terms of composition [49].…”

“…Recently, its potential to bring significant image benefits in a comparative evaluation of urban public spaces has been noticed, distinguishing the historical urban fabric of a city as a value that guarantees "a distinctive atmosphere that attracts both residents and visitors" [45] (p. 17). The study results also confirm a relationship between the positive visual value and both the organizing and informative roles of heritage landmarks in the cityscape [46,47]. Another observation confirmed by the research results is that sacral landmarks, which refer more specifically to the cultural context of the study area by "highlighting the identity and memory of a place" [47] (p. 21), tend to have a particular bearing on the positive visual assessment of the landscape.…”

“…The study results also confirm a relationship between the positive visual value and both the organizing and informative roles of heritage landmarks in the cityscape [46,47]. Another observation confirmed by the research results is that sacral landmarks, which refer more specifically to the cultural context of the study area by "highlighting the identity and memory of a place" [47] (p. 21), tend to have a particular bearing on the positive visual assessment of the landscape.…”

“…Consistent with these research results, the multidisciplinary interest in the problematics related to the built heritage as a part of the landscape identifies the need for its conservation [25,44] and points it out as an essential element of spatial identity [45][46][47]. Recently, its potential to bring significant image benefits in a comparative evaluation of urban public spaces has been noticed, distinguishing the historical urban fabric of a city as a value that guarantees "a distinctive atmosphere that attracts both residents and visitors" [45] (p. 17).…”

Lanckorona's market square in the context of the landscape

“…Many houses feature linkages with landscapes of the pilgrimage "paths" of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska with their landmark in the form of the architectural complex of the Sanctuary of Holy Mary and the monastery of the Benedictine monks. Thus in each of the panoramas that have been mentioned, private gardens have been expanded with linkages with attractive green landscapes with clearly visible distinct expanses of farm fields and their accompanying forest complexes [5,6,8].…”