what makes a place sacred?

Dr. Cargill brought up a very valid point today... what makes a place sacred? Sacred can be defined as something that is regarded with reverence or entitled to veneration or religious respect. But how does this come to be? In discussing this topic, the class decided that there are two reasons why a place can be considered sacred. 1) Something significant happened there or 2) someone important was born there. But of course this just doesn't happen on its own. So how do people know this is a sacred place? Well, it all begins with a witness. It could be one or it could be hundreds, but once this place is "marked" and word spreads, this sacred site begins to gain recognition and is eventually a place of commemoration. So now the real question is... what makes Jerusalem sacred?

Jerusalem has been of importance for about 3000 years now. It is considered one of the holiest cities by those of the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic faiths. The city has numerous geographical and physical attributes that originally gave it the title of a "holy city." Although there are no trade routes that go directly through Jerusalem, the region is rich with trade along the Via Maris (Egypt to Mesopotamia) and the King's Highway (Red Sea to Mesopotamia). Speaking of rich, Jerusalem is also located within the fertile crescent, an area surrounding the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that is lush and green! The city is strategically built on top of a hill for protection. With the Kindron Valley to the east, the Hinnom Valley to the west, and the Tyropean Valley (or Central Valley) in the center of the two, Jerusalem is pretty safe to say the least! Because these valleys run along the southeastern and southwestern ends, the Damascus gate acts as protection on the north end of the city. Also, because of its location on top of a hill, the people have always felt they are closer to god. Bible readings as well as other ancient literature suggest this. However, this city still doesn't have all the markers of a great city. With water being scarce (main sources from the Gihon Spring and the Siloam Pool) and trade routes not running directly through the city, what is it that makes it so special? The religious aspects of the city clearly overpower any physical burdens the city may have. Here are a few:

Northwest quarter of Jerusalem:
Christian
The Holy Sepulcher: site of the resurrection of Jesus, a place of pilgrimage

Northeast quarter of Jerusalem:
Islam
The Dome of the Rock: located on the Temple Mount, houses the Foundation Stone, a major landmark
Al Aqsa Mosque: tradition holds that Muhammad led prayers towards this site

Southeast quarter of Jerusalem:
Judaism
The Temple Mount: holiest site in Judaism, where God chose the divine presence to rest (5th quarter)
The Western Wall: the closest Jewish people can get to the Temple Mount without actually being on it

And in the Southwest quarter of Jerusalem:
Armenians

Overall, Jerusalem is considered the Axis Mundi, or center of the world, due to its centrality of religious monuments and symbolism...  and that is why it is sacred.

km.