The research will start from a thorough reconnaissance of the sanctuary reality of the western Alpine arc (Italian, French and Swiss) and of the Pyrenean arc (French and Spanish), to be carried out through the analysis of bibliographic and historiographic production, and of scientific census and cataloguing initiatives. It will then be necessary to verify the presence of common and parallel typological elements: dedication, epoch and socio-political context of foundation, rootedness and persistence of religious and ritual practices, the role of ecclesiastical and civil authorities in management, the tendency to generate development dynamics in the territories. The identification of these elements will allow a more in-depth analysis of some case studies considered significant and representative. The results of the research will be communicated through specific scientific publications.