Cities of God? Medieval urban forms and their Christian symbolism
Keith Lilley
Situated in the context of recent geographical engagements with ‘landscape’, this paper combines ‘morphological’ and ‘iconographic’ landscape interpretations to examine how urban forms were perceived late medieval Europe. To date, morphological studies have mapped city either by classifying layouts according particular types, or analysing plan towns cities reveal their spatial evolution. This outlines a third way, an approach, which shows Middle Ages conveyed Christian symbolism. Three such ‘mappings’ explore thesis: first uses textual visual representations show that was understood as scaled‐down world – microcosm linking cosmos mind; second ‘mapping’ develops theme further suggests landscapes inscribed symbolic form through layout on ground; while looks at symbolism performed perennial religious processions. Each these points symbolic, mystical significance had Ages, based faith, they thus offer deepened appreciation represented, constructed experienced time.
Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers