Church of the Nativity: Detail, entrance
Date
Circa 1910
Location
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
One of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth. The first basilica on this site (destroyed 529) was begun by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine I. The current basilica was rebuilt in its present form in 565 by the Emperor Justinian I. Muslim veneration for Jesus's birthplace probably explains why the church escaped destruction during the reign of Caliph al-Ḥākim in 1009. It is the only pre-Muslim church in Palestine to have survived intact and in continuous use to the present day. The basilica and surrounding buildings were expanded during the 12th century, under joint patronage of the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus and King Amalric, ruler of the Latin Kingdom.
Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries at asklib@nd.edu.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre: Interior, Chapel of St. Helena
Church of the Holy Sepulchre: Detail, main entrance
Church of Saint George, Lod: Interior, view of the nave from the southeast end
Church of the Holy Sepulchre: Overall aerial view of complex, rotunda at near center
Church of Saint Anne: Overall view, imaged from lantern slide
Throne of Solomon: Interior, cenotaph covered by pall