“Now glitters mosaic in the church of the Nativity”
“for centuries, it has been covered with soot and lately also hidden by scaffolding. But just in time for christmas is the famous mosaic in the church of the Nativity, built over the cave where it is said that Jesus was born, färdigrestaurerad.”
“the Church is located in Bethlehem in the Israel partly occupied west bank. The past 15 months, experts have cleaned and repaired what is left of the original mosaikväggarna from the 1100-century. 125 square meters, of what once was 2 000 square feet of glittering gold and glass, has been preserved. The rest has been lost to moisture, wars, earthquakes and the passage of time.”
“Above the church’s nave, you will now see seven angels, framed by gold, which seems to have landed on a bed of green grass. Each angel is placed next to a window, which is meant to symbolize divine light. One of the angels was discovered during the restoration, after years and years have been covered in plaster.”
“– the Mosaic is made of gold leaf attached between the glass plates, ” says Marcello Piacenti, whose Italian family carried out the restoration.”
“– Less stenbitar has only been used for the faces and certain parts of the body.”
“the church of the Nativity was built on the 300-century and is one of the oldest churches still in use. On christmas eve, usually where held a midnight mass, which attracts thousands.”
