Abstract
I deal with the problem of Baroque sacral space in this lecture. I describe the conception of sacral space by Mircea Eliade and Jonathan Z.
Smith. I explain Eliade's concept "axis mundi".
According to Eliade this "phenomenon" can be find in aboriginal (native Australian) myths, as well as in ancient Near Eastern and Indian myths. Smith explored the sources of which Eliade derived and shows that Eliade misunderstood these myths and reinterpreted them.
Smith follows C. Lévi-Strauss conception of ritual, which focuses on social and verbal understanding of the term sacral place.
Smith defines his attitude against substantive conception of sacred place in writings of phenomenologist (such as Mircea Eliade). I focus on perception of Eliade's thoughts in the work of Czech art historian Mojmír Horyna.
I pay attention to metaphorical and symbolical description of Baroque sacral space by Mojmír Horyna