| Abstrakt: |
Lighthouses operate as carriers of cultural value and encapsulate universal connotations. They are harmoniously integrated in unspoilt landscapes, some of which are considered dystopian. Their delicate albeit resilient structure, settled within dynamic geophysical fields, elicits philosophical quests and metaphysical concerns. Lighthouses are connected to narratives of heroism, solitude, self-efficacy and lunacy, with altruistic keepers and divine or supernatural entities starring in plenty of them. Moreover, lighthouses have been associated with religious facilities and rituals for many centuries. Therefore, they attract people pursuing transformative experiences away from mass tourism locations and could unsurprisingly be included in alternative spiritual tourism itineraries. Greek traditional lighthouses, the most historical and impressive component of the Hellenic Lighthouse Network (HLN), are no exemption to the rule. They are registered 'Monuments of Modern Cultural Heritage' and define an almost unexplored yet appealing zone of intersection between theology, mythology, history and technology. This is one of the reasons why they have been gaining loyal followers - their popularity is increasing among occasional visitors and researchers from different disciplines. This paper aims to explain the potential of Greek lighthouses as spiritual tourism destinations. It focuses on the origins and development of the current HLN, analyses the spiritual dimensions of lighthouse scenery, morphology and semiology, and presents examples of specific lighthouse areas in Greece that are indicative of the connection under discussion. Critical stakeholders' suggestions are cited, while various approaches to terms such as 'spirituality' or 'spiritual tourism' are examined through a brief literature review. The paper is a part of a PhD project being conducted in the Department of Tourism Management, University of West Attica, Greece, which is expected to contribute to the dialogue on the valorization of Greek lighthouses in a cultural tourism context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
