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Antonio Barluzzi (1884-1960) was an Italian architect, a fervent Christian, and a tireless traveler.
He certainly left his mark in the Holy Land.
Between 1912 and 1955 he built or restored 24 churches, hospitals, and schools in Israel and Jordan.
The Christian Information Center in Jerusalem is currently showing an exhibition about his life and works.
The posters, like the one above that you can enlarge and read, are in English and Italian.
Look at the Arab stonemasons at work on the stones to build the Basilica of the Agony on the Mount of Olives.
Look at the arches in the ceiling of the church!
Here is how the arches looked from above while being constructed in the early 1920s!
Please enlarge the picture and feast your eyes!
The church is over Crusader and even earlier foundations.
Right next to it is the Garden of Gethsemane.
The altar is built next to the Rock of the Apostles (where some of them fell asleep instead of watching with Jesus).
What is the Great Seal of the United States of America doing on the ceiling?
Well, the church is also called The Church of All Nations and the symbols of each country that contributed money are incorporated into the inlaid gold ceilings of each of 12 cupolas.
The Franciscans' worship there on Maundy Thursday, April 21, will be broadcast live to the world.
With thanks to Antonio Barluzzi for our That's My World tour today.
Find my other posts about his works here.
UPDATE Oct. 3, 2013: See how Italian tinsmiths are doing restoration work on the roof of the church.
(Linking to inSPIREd Sunday.)
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Taken of cultural heritage is never a waste. he seems to have done a terrific.job.
ReplyDeleteWhat breathtaking images.
ReplyDeleteThank You for this amazing tour.
ReplyDeleteThat's an impressive set of buildings. All I'm leaving behind is a few bits and bytes in a computer!
ReplyDeleteHow incredible it must feel being close to such sights. The picture of the arches is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this escape. Please have a good Tuesday.
What a fantastic church with gorgeous details and artistry!
ReplyDeleteSo interesting and absolutely wonderful. Thanks for sharing this, Dina.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing architect! Your photos were fabulous. It really gave us a vicarious tour of the beautiful church.
ReplyDeleteI knew very little of him and it seems that he did a huge work in Holy Land. I am glad that he is honored and remembered.
ReplyDeleteThis is quite a new church with the American seal?
ReplyDeleteFriends, thanks for your interesting responses and additions.
ReplyDeleteAnn, yes, it's a new church, only about 87 years old.
...and such a holy sight for so many!
ReplyDeleteLooks a stunning church to visit
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