02

World Heritage site[edit]

In 2012, the church complex became the first Palestinian site to be listed as a World Heritage site by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session on 29 June.^[45] It was approved by a secret vote^[46] of 13–6 in the 21-member committee, according to UNESCO spokeswoman Sue Williams,^[47] and following an emergency candidacy procedure that by-passed the 18-month process for most sites, despite the opposition of the United States and Israel. The site was approved under criteria four and six.^[48] The decision was a controversial one on both technical and political terms.^[47][49] It has also been placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger as it is suffering from damages due to water leaks.^[9]

Restoration (2013-2018)[edit]

The basilica was placed on the 2008 Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites by the World Monuments Fund:

The present state of the church is worrying. Many roof timbers are rotting, and have not been replaced since the 19th century. The rainwater that seeps into the building not only accelerates the rotting of the wood and damages the structural integrity of the building, but also damages the 12th-century wall mosaics and paintings. The influx of water also means that there is an ever-present chance of an electrical fire. If another earthquake were to occur on the scale of the one of 1834, the result would most likely be catastrophic. ... It is hoped that the listing will encourage its preservation, including getting the three custodians of the church—the Greek Orthodox Church, the Armenian Orthodox Church, and the Franciscan order—to work together, which has not happened for hundreds of years. The Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority would also have to work together to protect it.^[50][51]

In 2010, the Palestinian Authority announced that a multimillion-dollar restoration programme was imminent.^[52]
The initial phase of the restoration work was completed in early 2016. The project is partially funded by Palestinians and conducted by a team of Palestinian and international experts. New windows have been installed, structural repairs on the roof have been completed and art works and mosaics have been cleaned and restored. Although overwhelmingly Muslim, Palestinians consider the church a national treasure and one of their most visited tourist sites. President Mahmoud Abbas has been actively involved in the project, which is led by Ziad al-Bandak.^[53]

Gallery[edit]