Sonntag, 13. Januar 2019
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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]
nativity church=2016 world heritage site
Church of the Nativity
Jump to navigation Jump to search| Church of the Nativity | |
|---|---|
The interior of the Church of the Nativity circa 1936, photographed by Lewis Larsson
| |
| Basic information | |
| Location | Bethlehem, West Bank |
| Geographic coordinates | 31°42′15.50″N 35°12′27.50″E / 31.7043056°N 35.2076389°ECoordinates: 31°42′15.50″N 35°12′27.50″E / 31.7043056°N 35.2076389°E |
| Affiliation | Shared: Greek Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church, and Roman Catholic Church with minor Coptic Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox rights[1] |
| Status | Active |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural type | Byzantine (Constantine the Great and Justinian I) |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| Groundbreaking | 325 |
| Completed | 565 |
| Official name: Birthplace of Jesus: the Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem | |
| Type | Cultural Heritage |
| Criteria | iv, vi |
| Designated | 2012[2] |
| Reference no. | 1433 |
| State Party | State of Palestine |
| Region | Western Asia |
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Armenian monastery (right) and facade of the Church of the Nativity (left, small)
The church was originally commissioned in 327 by Constantine the Great and his mother Helena on the site that was traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Jesus. That original basilica was completed sometime between 333-339. It was destroyed by fire during the Samaritan revolts of the 6th century, and a new basilica was built in 565 by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, who restored the architectural tone of the original.[3]
The Church of the Nativity, while remaining basically unchanged since the Justinian reconstruction, has seen numerous repairs and additions, especially from the Crusader period, such as two bell towers (now gone), wall mosaics and paintings (partially preserved).[4] Over the centuries, the surrounding compound has been expanded, and today it covers approximately 12,000 square meters, comprising three different monasteries: one Greek Orthodox, one Armenian Apostolic, and one Roman Catholic,[5] of which the first two contain bell-towers built during the modern era.[4]
The silver star marking the spot where Christ was born was stolen in 1847. Some assert that this was a contributing factor in the Crimean War against the Russian Empire;[6] Others assert that the war grew out of the wider European situation.[7]
The Church of the Nativity is a World Heritage site and was the first to be listed under Palestine by UNESCO.[8] The site is also on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger.[9]
The status quo of Holy Land sites is a 250-year old understanding among religious communities that applies to the site.[10][11]
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