The Restoration of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is one of the most important symbols of Christianity.

Since 2009 the monument, recently included in the lists UNESCO as World Heritage Site, is the subject of a new season of studies and restorations.

On the place where according to tradition he was born Jesus a first sacred building was built in 4th century from the emperor Constantine and from the mother ElenaOf this first building, which was completely destroyed, only a few mosaics and pieces of walls remain. Basilica that we see today was rebuilt by Justinian in the 6th century AD and from then on it underwent transformations but no further destruction. The most important integration is the fortified citadel which embraces the structure of the basilica, built by the Crusaders at the end of the 11th century.

In 2009 the Palestinian National Authority issued a tender for the realization of a study on the basilica in view of the necessary intervention of restoration of the church roof. The tender was won by the Italian team coordinated by Ferrara Research Consortium and archaeologists and specialists also took part in itUniversity of Siena, among which Giuseppe Alessandro Fichera, President of Coopera.

The research involved a general study of the monument with the ultimate goal of developing a precise knowledge framework of the monument and guidelines for future restoration.

In 2013 the restoration of the church roof began by the Piacenti Company of PratoOnce again, an example of Italian excellence is engaged in one of the most important and significant projects in Christianity and beyond.

The archaeologists of Coopera, after having taken part in the study phase of the church, they were involved as supervisors of the restoration works which are still underway today.

 

The basilica today constitutes the heart of a vast complex formed over the centuries, divided between the Franciscan, Orthodox, and Armenian communities. The entrance is from the small "door of humility”, what remains of one of the three original accesses to the monumental narthex, which leads into the magic of the internal space.

 

At the end of 2014, an archaeological excavation on the third floor of the narthex aimed to verify the state of conservation of the vaults covering the same terrace.

 

 

In our long career as archaeologists, there has perhaps never been a greater thrill than writing “Nativity Church” on that blackboard…