Raum und Ritus. Perspektive für die Analyse des liturgischen Raums

Abstract

This contribution focuses attention on the field of tension between space and ritual, and concentrates on the part of the space. How we can in research do justice to the nature and complexity of places of worship? After a brief sketch of the complexity of the working of places of worship via three churches in Limburg (NL), the article takes stock of the traditional approach in the research of liturgical space. Here especially the aspect of ‘initiative and reception’ and the theme of profane and sacral get the attention. From this balance there is a presentation of some perspectives for multidisciplinary research on the theme of sacred places and liturgy. Key words in this presentation are: ‘Raum als Bedeutungsträger’, function, diachrony / synchrony and mentalities, and ‘principles of planning’. These perspectives are at the end put into operation in an analysis of the ‘principles of planning’ of a place of pilgrimage (Wittem, Limburg NL).