Sanctuary has multiple meanings. A sanctuary's the consecrated area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar. An animal sanctuary's a place where animals live and are protected. In modern parlance the term's used to mean a place of safety. Sanctuary as a sacred place In Europe, Christian churches were sometimes built on land considered as a particularly 'holy spot', perhaps where a miracle or martyrdom had taken place or where a holy person was buried. Examples are St. Peter's Bas… (More on Sanctuary)