The Uzbeks consider the mausoleum a holy place and pray here before heading off on Hadj.

ECONOMIST: Letter from Samarkand

Jerusalem, a holy place steeped in Jewish, Christian and Muslim history, is modernizing with new hotel projects, trendy boutiques and restaurants.

BBC: Hip Jerusalem and historic Tel Aviv

The Vatican said on Saturday it was considering calls from cardinals to hold the papal conclave earlier than planned, to have a pontiff in place before Holy Week, the most important event in the Christian calendar.

BBC: Pope Benedict blessing: Tens of thousands hear prayer

Also known as Lindisfarne, Holy Isle has been a place of worship and Christian pilgrimage for centuries, since the first monks made their way to the isle around 635.

BBC: Forgotten Northumberland

Osbert's purpose was to enhance Westminster's reputation as a place of religious awe (or holy terror).

BBC: The hidden history of Westminster

For 42 days starting on January 9th, the alignment of the stars makes Allahabad, where the Ganges, the Yamuna and a mythical third river converge, an especially holy place to be.

ECONOMIST: Take me to the river

The reunion is taking place this weekend and includes a service at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday.

BBC: HMS Coventry

Church officials want a successor to be in place before the start of Holy Week on 24 March, the most important event in the Christian calendar.

BBC: Pope Benedict

Church officials want a successor to be in place before the start of Holy Week on 24 March - the most important event in the Christian calendar.

BBC: Vatican may bring forward conclave for next pope

He thought Tyre an economically thriving but insufficiently holy place that should be reduced to nothing more than a fishing village with plenty of open space to "spread fish nets" to dry.

FORBES: Land Of Strife