Exploring the Spatial Dynamics of Romanian Orthodox Church Places of Worship in Italy: Toward a New Religious Heritage
摘要
The religious diversity in contemporary Italy has in its center one of the largest religious and ethnic group, that is, the Orthodox Romanians. In the last decade, this group has undergone an extensive process of stabilization and settling, which is visible in a material perspective. This chapter aims to investigate the reasons and factors of the territorial spread of parishes, the strategies for the settlement of places of worship, and the financial and logistical resources. We investigate the spatial dynamics that have created a “Romanian Orthodox architecture” in the Italian landscape, representing a new tangible cultural religious heritage. Based on some representative examples, the chapter focuses primarily on the dynamics and strategies of establishing and managing the Romanian Orthodox places of worship, in particular referring to the impact on the territory and their sustainability. We use an interdisciplinary method, combining historical, social, and ethnographic tools.