The project will address the ancient religious experience as it was shaped through people’s involvement in performance, and, more specifically, through the material constraints of the physical setting. It will take as point of departure some relevant case studies of sanctuaries in Sicily, and will study in depth the spatial relationships between seeing places and performance spaces (observation points, stairs, theatra, stoai, paths, etc.), and sanctuaries.

The aim is exploring the functioning of performance and ritual experience in some sacred contexts of ancient Sicily, both from Greek and “hellenised” sites, representative for their complexity and variety. To this end, a 3D rendering of at least a case study will be required, where the perception of space, from the side of the ancient spectators and participants, will be explored, and seen against modern perceptions.

For further information on the project, please contact Prof. Elisa Chiara Portale (chiara.portale@unipa.it).