Sacred but not holy:Awe, spectacle, and the heritage gaze in Danish religious heritage contexts

Heritagisation of religious sites can transform their significance from inspiring religious awe to serving as spectacles for secular constituencies, such as regions or nations. This study examines three Danish UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Jelling, Roskilde, and Christiansfeld—and argues that the overlaying of a heritage gaze on religious spaces hybridizes religion itself, framing it as cultural heritage through a secular lens. The research employs an ideal-typical distinction between the 'holy' and the 'sacred,' analyzing how these sites become focal points for ontological pride or vicarious nostalgia rather than religious piety. It reveals that while heritage may preserve authenticity, it inadvertently recontextualizes religious experiences within a secular framework.

Salemink, O., Rask Poulsen, R., & Isager Ahl, S. (2020). Sacred but not holy: Awe, spectacle, and the heritage gaze in Danish religious heritage contexts. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.4604148