What are the holy places and what is their sacredness?

The sacred places in Islam are the mosques, foremost among them the three mosques: al-Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque), al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque), and al-Masjid al-Aqsa (the Farthest Mosque). These mosques are uniquely distinguished as the only ones to which journeys are undertaken with the intention of worship and seeking reward. Furthermore, Mecca and Medina are distinguished by a sanctity that prohibits hunting their game and cutting their trees that have not been planted by people.