Contents
Introduction 8
Architecture and theCosmos 10
Models of the cosmos 12
Celestial alignments 14
Site 1: Chichen Itza,
Mexico 16
The cosmic pillar 18
Temples as mountains 22
Site 2: Borobudur, Java 24
Dwellings of the gods 26
Choosing a site 28
The mythical dimension 32
Site 3: Mayan ball courts, Central America 34
Body, plan and
proportion 36
Sacred and Social
Dimensions 38
The sacred home 40
The sacred meeting-place 42
Priests and officiants 46
Teaching the faith 48
Stained glass 50
Space and gender 52
Architecture and power 54
Retreat and isolation 58
Ritual and Ceremony 60
Consecration and
purification 62
Sacrifice and offerings 64
Praying, preaching and dancing 68
Sound in space 74
Procession and
pilgrimage 76
Site 4: The Kaaba,
Mecca 80
Types and Traditions 82
Megalithic monuments 84
Site 5: Avebury and
Silbury Hill, England 86
Egyptian temples 88
Site 6: The temple of
Amun at Karnak 90
Shinto shrines and temples 92
Site 7: The Ise Grand
Shrine, Japan 94
Mosques 96
Site 8: Isfahan, Iran 98
Hindu temples 100
Site 9: Madurai, India 102
Buddhist temples 104
Site 10: Wat Aran,
Bangkok 106
Synagogues and the
Temple of Solomon 108
Site 11: Beth Sholom, Pennsylvania 110
Mesoamerican temples 112
Site 12: Teotihuacan,
Mexico 114
Greek temples 116
Silt 13: The Parthenon.
Athens 118
Roman temples 120
Site 14: The Pantheon,
Rome 122
Churches 124
Site 15: St Peter’s, Rome 126
Boundaries, Thresholds and the Centre 128
Inner and outer realms 130
Gateways, thresholds and openings 132
Pathways 134
Courtyards 136
Labyrinths and spirals 138
The centre 140
Site 16: Delphi, Greece 142
The Architecture other afterlife 144
The needs of the dead 146
Tombs 148
Site 17: Toraja rock-cut
tombs, Indonesia 152
Public memorials 154
Defying time: the afterlife of monuments 156
Documentary Reference 160
Techniques of building 161
Glossary 170
Further reading 172
Index 175
Picture credits 183