The Diversity of Sacred Lands in Europe - IUCN

ny, beauty and the interconnectedness
with the intangible or spiritual dimensions
of Nature.
Hermitages and hermit domains are in
need, hence in synergy, of strictly protected
areas, with very limited public
use. They are endangered and threatened
in many countries, despite the
fact that hermits can be seen as prototypes
of human beings in harmony with
nature. Promoting the implementation
of the concept of hermit reserves is,
therefore, fully justified. In the contemporary
context, wilderness areas provide
opportunities for solitude and
spiritual concentration.
Special attention should be paid to
and significant support shall be offered
equally to those SNSs of indigenous
people that have already been
recognised as such, as well as to
those that are not yet known as sacred
natural sites.
Implementation and operational
aspects
SNS should be understood not just as
static entities, rooted in the past, but
also as being dynamic and evolving
with changing human needs. Thus, the
following main categories of SNSs
could be identified:
• Recognised SNSs that are already
celebrated and protected.
• Revitalised SNSs where historical
recognition has lapsed, but is being
regenerated.
• New SNSs, where there has been little
or no traditional recognition related
to acknowledged spiritual signs.
• Ancient SNSs that may not have any
religious significance for contemporary
society, may foster, though, attitudes
of respect based on its past
character and significance.
SNSs should be inventoried in order to
avoid involuntary damage to them and
irreversible losses of cultural, spiritual
and natural heritage. However, some
SNSs are widely known, while others
are private and only recognised by a
limited number of people. In order to
respect their privacy and to take into
account the sensitivity of the spiritual
values and the risks involved in publicising
vulnerable or fragile SNSs, special
attention should be paid to the appropriate
level of public access to the
databases and other information on
SNSs. This approach is analogous to
that followed for areas vital for critically
endangered species.
In parallel, there is a need to develop
tools and techniques to communicate
and interpret the spiritual, holy or sacred
dimension of protected areas to
the visitors and the public at large. In
this respect, traditional local songs,
arts, crafts, and other means of expression
should be used as the preferred
tools to convey the spiritual and intangible
values of Nature to the visitors of
protected areas, especially in the visitor
centres. In addition, intangible values
and the arts can be an equally effective
tool in interpretation and communication
activities, while involving local inhabitants
in conservation actions.
Further, SNSs and other sites with special
spiritual and cultural value should
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