Palestine - Eglise de Bethleem (Plate 43) (Church of Bethlehem-Church of the Nativity)

Description

This engraving depicts the interior of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, a place of significance in Christian history. The basilica, whose initial construction phase dates to the reign of Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena (4th century AD), was almost entirely rebuilt in the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Justinian. Most of the columns with Corinthian capitals seen in the engraving are original columns from Justinian's time. Unlike much medieval architecture in the West, the Basilica of the Nativity is one of the earliest directly preserved examples of Byzantine architectural logic and is considered the oldest continuously used Christian place of worship. The wide nave, regular rows of columns, and deep perspective extending towards the mihrab or apse seen in the engraving aim to both enhance the depth and impressiveness of the space for the viewer and present the building as spatial evidence of historical authenticity. It is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site.