Reading the Urban Sacred Space: A Case Study

Purpose: The aim of the article is to highlight the importance of religious factors and the functioning of religious buildings and their impact on the urban space (physical and social), as well as to indicate the case study as a research method to analyse this space, facilitating its reading. Design/Methodology/Approach: To achieve the intended purpose, the following was proposed as a part of the case study: - for content relating to the transformation of the sacred landscape - the desk research: - the documentary method (including spatial information available on the National Geoportal), the snapshot method; while for - the mutual relations between the sacrum and the surrounding space - the observation method and sentiment analysis using AI. Findings: Sacred objects and religious factors are involved in the process of shaping the sacred landscape in the urban fabric. They have had and continue to have a significant impact on the development (including spatial) of the city. They perform a variety of functions (some variable over time), among which are: religious, educational, social, defensive, tourist, cultural, etc. The case study method was treated as -a research project through which real problems in reading space were brought into focus. Practical Implications: Developing the skills of seeing, hearing, speaking, feeling, i.e. altogether - reading the place/space (here: sacred space) is important in the process of training the spatial sense typical for a civic society. It can be particularly useful for people involved in spatial management and spatial planning, as it has a direct impact on shaping the quality of life of residents. Originality/Value: The article makes an important contribution to the development of knowledge about the importance of sacred spaces in the urban structure and how to analyse them. The case study method, combined with modern analytical techniques using AI, provides a unique approach to reading urban space that is crucial for understanding the dynamics of the relationship between sacred and profane in the urban context. This type of analysis can be used both in scientific research on urban space and in planning practice.