Old Restorations and New Discoveries in the Nativity Church, Bethlehem

Recent restoration work at the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, including the cleaning and consolidation of mosaic surfaces, has revealed significant new discoveries. Notably, the figure of an angel, previously hidden under plaster applied during an 1842 restoration, was uncovered. This finding sheds light on the church's architectural history and the evolution of its mosaics from the Crusader period to the present day. The study provides a detailed analysis of these newly discovered elements, offering insights into the techniques and materials used in past restorations and their impact on the preservation of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bacci, M. (2015). Old Restorations and New Discoveries in the Nativity Church, Bethlehem. Convivium, 2(2), 36–59. https://doi.org/10.1484/j.convi.5.111177