TY - JOUR N2 - The main purpose of this article is an attempt at the description of the role of roadside shrines and crosses in geographical names. The study encompasses more than 1,000 microtoponyms collected in the years 2011–2017 in the area around the village of Wręczyca Wielka near Kłobuck (Silesian voivodeship). The analysis also offers a justification for the onyms, as well as stories and legends elicited during informal conversations with the middle and the oldest generation of inhabitants of the explored area. The author uses the research tools of cultural onomastics. The objects of sacral architecture which appear in geographical names frequently have a number of functions. Mostly, roadside shrines and crosses help to locate or mark fields, meadows, forests and paths. Furthermore, the data that shed light on the motivation of microtoponyms document the relationship between the abovementioned examples of sacral architecture with the surrounding physiographic objects, highlighting the role of these forms in folk culture. Both roadside crosses and shrines commemorate past events and preserve the elements of rural customs. The few specimens of sacral architecture functioning as the motivation for microtoponyms also confirm the fact that, for the oldest generation of village inhabitants, religion is still one of the most important values. L1 - http://journals.pan.pl/Content/119118/PDF/Onomastica%2064%20strony%2069-82%20Jelonek.pdf L2 - http://journals.pan.pl/Content/119118 PY - 2020 EP - 72 KW - field name KW - microtoponym KW - cultural onomastics KW - a roadside shrine KW - a roadside cross A1 - Jelonek, Tomasz PB - Komitet Językoznawstwa PAN PB - Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN VL - No 64 DA - 2021.01.18 T1 - Roadside shrines and roadside crosses in geographical names (as exemplified by the microtoponyms of gmina Wręczyca Wielka near Kłobuck in the north of Silesian voivodeship) SP - 69 UR - http://journals.pan.pl/dlibra/publication/edition/119118 T2 - Onomastica ER -