In our first class we looked at why Jerusalem is considered a "Sacred Space" by three major faiths in the world: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. It is held on the same level of prestige as Mecca and Rome for some of the faiths. This raised the question of how does a place become sacred? What are the steps and requirements for to be considered sacred? During our lecture we identified a progression that starts with veneration of a site. Later as more people are drawn in to the place an official shrine is erected. This helps to call more people in and the place grows and grows influence and prestige culminating in pilgrimages as is the case of Jerusalem.
In order to have people visit a place, there needed to be inherent features that would draw or allow people to visit. Jerusalem is located between two major routes: Via Maris and the King's Highway. However, neither route goes through the city. In addition to trade routes, the city needed natural defenses and sources of water. Jerusalem was established among near three valleys that provided protection from the West, East, and South. They are the Kidron Valley, Hinnom Valley and the Tyropoeon Valley. The closest source of water for Jerusalem came from a spring called the Gihon spring and later the Siloam pool contributed to the water supply. These attributes allowed the city to thrive and last despite not having a trade route going directly through it.
As the city grew, Jerusalem was able to assimilate other legends which added to its status as a sacred place. One instance of this was mentioned in the story of the "Garden of Eden" which had 4 rivers flowing from it. Two were easily identified: the Tigris and the Euphrates. The Pishon is not found. The 4th river is the Gihon river which people thought was somehow related to the Gihon Spring. By having these references in religious texts, Jerusalem is able to strengthen its claim as a important sacred place and an axis mundi.
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