Open Space: Pluriforme Aneignung eines Schweizer Wallfahrtsortes

Abstract

For centuries, people from Switzerland, Germany and France have been embarking on pilgrimages to the Catholic holy site of Mariastein. In recent decades, however, the streams of visitors have mirrored the religious and social change in Swiss society. The public are becoming increasingly pluralistic and individualised. In the present article, with the help of the concept of "cultural appropriation" by Hans Peter Hahn, the authors demonstrate how it is possible for this new diverse range of visitors to appropriate one and the same place of pilgrimage for themselves.