meccas

Meccas is a term used to describe places that attract large numbers of people due to their association with a particular activity, field, or culture. The phrase can be used literally to denote cities that function as pilgrimage or cultural hubs, or figuratively to describe any location regarded as a premier center for a given interest.

The word derives from Mecca, the holy city in Saudi Arabia, the destination of the Hajj and Umrah for Muslims. In English, mecca (lowercase) has long been used metaphorically to denote a magnet for a stated interest, and the plural meccas is used when multiple such centers are discussed. The city itself is central to Islam, hosting the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque; Muslims consider it obligatory to attempt the pilgrimage at least once if financially and physically possible.

Outside religious contexts the term is applied to ranges of places, such as "tech meccas" like Silicon Valley, "fashion meccas" such as Paris or Milan, or "art meccas" like Florence or New York. These usages emphasize the role of a location as a focal point where people gather, collaborate, or aspire to participate in a particular domain.

In summary, Meccas as a concept encompasses both the literal holy city of Mecca and numerous other centers that serve as magnets for specific communities or activities.