Abandoned Sacred Places

by Lawrence Joffe

From Roman temples to Buddhist shrines in the Chinese desert, these hallowed halls have been abandoned to nature. More than 200 outstanding images show what happens to sacred places when humanity retreats.

What happens when the congregation moves away from its place of worship? Or when shifting borders or persecution mean that people can no longer reach their church, synagogue, or mosque? Through magnificent, sometimes haunting images, Abandoned Sacred Places explores more than 100 lost worlds, including ancient and modern temples, synagogues, churches, mosques, and stone circles. Organized geographically, this unforgettable volume wanders from Stonehenge in England and Carnac in France to crumbling inner-city churches and synagogues in present-day Detroit and Chicago, from Mayan pyramids in Mexico to Hindu temples lost in the Indian jungle.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel, Religion, Art, Photography, Architecture

224 pages, Hardcover

Published June 14, 2019

Reviews

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abandoned Sacred Places is so much more stunning than I imagined it would be and would make the perfect coffee table book or conversation starter. It's split into sections making it easy to dip in and out of at leisure. They are as follows: Introduction, Africa, The Middle East, Asia, The Americas and The Pacific, and, last but not least, Europe. In the introduction, Joffe briefly addresses the reasons behind the abandonment of holy places; places that were once considered irreplaceable. Each section has glorious photography with the sites captured in an appealing manner and Joffe discusses how religion is now viewed in that particular place. All of the photographs are clear, bright and really do each of the sites justice. It certainly increases my yearning to visit some of them.

The photos are all accompanied by a caption stating where the site is located and a little about it. Definitely enough to whet the appetite to explore some of these fascinating and beautiful places in more depth. The weather and sky are important backdrops to the images; some are moody with heavy cloud cover, some use the sun to highlight the site's features, and there are even pictures where the sacred place is blanketed in crisp, pristine snow. If you are interested in the changing nature of religion and derelict sites becoming a ubiquitous feature the world over due to loss of faith this is a must-buy. Simply breathtaking! Many thanks to Amber Books for an ARC.

[Lisa - *OwlBeSatReading* · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a lot of messing about trying to download this title, (due to it not being kindle compatible) I managed to read this on my partner's tablet using the Aldiko e-reader.

It was absolutely worth the hassle! This book is full of striking photography accompanied with interesting nuggets of information.

It will be a stunning addition to any home, to pick up and read at a leisurely pace when the moment grabs.

This will be a remarkable book in print, the electronic version is gorgeous but to have as a big glossy hardback would be a must for anyone who appreciates superb photography of this subject.

Thank you to Amber books who sent me an advance copy through NetGalley.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coffee table book with striking photographs of sacred buildings that have been abandoned for a myriad of reasons is Lawrence Joffe’s subject in Abandoned Sacred Places. The author covers “ancient and modern temples, synagogues, churches, mosques, necropolises, spiritual sites, and stone circles” that have been abandoned or forgotten through time and provides explanations for the abandonment. The reasons are plentiful, and yet some are quite straightforward. A change in trade routes, natural disasters, invading armies, past and present, terrorist activity (ISIS), the switch from paganism to Christianity such as in 380 CE when the Empire of Rome became Christian, reformation by royal demand as Henry VIII who had broken with Rome/Catholicism in 1530s “dissolved around 900 Catholic religious houses” which then these lands and the wealth became “a gift to the Crown” (These houses had “owned a quarter of England’s landed wealth.”), Scotland’s Protestant Reformation. The list goes on. The architectural styles are breath-taking. The ancient temples, the cave structures, temples carved out of rock, and one structure that I shall never forget-Church of the Holy Redeemer, Ani, Turkey which was cut in half by a storm in 1955 even though it had been abandoned in the 18th c. An exquisite and fascinating read! 5 stars.

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Abandoned Palaces and Paris, two visual guides I enjoy, here is Abandoned Sacred Places. Again, good quality pictures, some description/info, and a trip around the world to discover strange sacred places. It’s a visual guide so the picture are dominant over the info, I might have enjoy a bit more info on those places, but you can always get the name of it and then continue your research on the Internet or others books if you like. Well done!

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book is like travelling all other the world and discovering new places.
The photographies were stunning and I think the hard cover will be amazing.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[J. d'Merricksson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abandoned Sacred Places by Lawrence Joffe is a gorgeous collection of photos from around the world, featuring abandoned places of spiritual or religious significance. Some of the most interesting for me were the temples of Asia, though the 'Chicken Church' ranked among the most unusual. It really did look like a gigantic chicken, rather than the peace dove it was meant to represent. Each photo is accompanied by a tidbit of information about the building in question. This would make a great coffee table book!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Amber Books Ltd for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Claire Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning read. Have only seen the digital version but would definitely be interested in obtaining a hard copy for my coffee table. Stunning photography, with amazing little snippets of historical info for each picture. I learned so much...some of these buildings defy any form of explanation or understanding.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice collection of Abandoned Sacred Places. If you are looking for a detailed history of each place pass on this book. It gives very brief description of each place accompanied by a beautiful picture and it location. The small print is a turn off but the pictures are just gorgeous. I was saddened to learn that one is no longer standing due to the a group destroying it.

[Carol Farrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hauntingly beautiful book! The Sacred places cover a wide variety of religions including Pagan, Hinduism, Buddhism, Aztec, Mayan, Christian, and other ancient religions. The photographs are incredible. I also took the time to read the descriptions of each place as I found the history and descriptions fascinating.

[Brandon]

Inaccuracies in the descriptions. Specifically in the Egyptian section. The Great Pyramid is one of the 7 Wonders, not all of the pyramids together. Also, Ramses III was not married to Nefertari, that was his mother. Ramses III was married to Queen Tiy-Merenese.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many gorgeous photos in this book!

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful photos