Image: Model of the Church of the Holy Sepulcre (Betlehem, probably late 1600s) - British Museum

Description: A scale model of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre — made in Bethlehem in the late 1600s of the church in Jerusalem which is a special place of pilgrimage. Many Christians believe it to be the site of Jesus’ tomb. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is one of the most important shrines in Christianity. Many Christians believe that it marks the place where Jesus was crucified and buried, and where he rose again from the dead. It has been a special place of pilgrimage since it was founded in AD 326. This display focuses on a highly crafted scale model of the church made in Bethlehem in the late 1600s. It is made of wood and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay, and can be disassembled to reveal the different parts of the church within. Models like this were made and sold as souvenirs to visiting pilgrims and for export throughout Europe as reminders of the central event of the Christian faith – the death and resurrection of Christ.
Title: Model of the Church of the Holy Sepulcre (Betlehem, probably late 1600s) - British Museum
Credit: Model of the Church of the Holy Sepulcre (Betlehem, probably late 1600s) - British Museum Uploaded by Jacopo Werther
Author: Andres Rueda
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
License: CC BY 2.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0
Attribution Required?: Yes