For several years, Pro Terra Sancta has been collaborating with the Custody of the Holy Land and the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in setting up the Terra Sancta Museum, the first museum in the world focused on the roots of Christianity and the preservation of the Holy Places.
The museum is nestled in the heart of the Old City of Jerusalem, a historic crossroads of peoples and religions. This multiculturalism is also reflected in the Terra Sancta Museum, which tells the story of the Christian presence in the Holy Land through unique archaeological and artistic collections. It is divided into three sections: a multimedia section – inaugurated in February 2016 – an archaeological section, and a historical section, shedding light on different aspects of the history of Christians in the Holy Land.
The projects related to the Terra Sancta Museum are twofold and have been running in parallel for several years:
The first project focuses on setting up and opening new exhibition rooms to the public. In 2023, the rooms dedicated to Bethlehem, Nazareth, Dominus Flevit, and the Holy Sepulchre were completed, thanks to the work of various teams of restorers, installers, and workers. The work, coordinated by the museum project designed by architect Tortelli, also involves many local workers. This choice fosters the exchange of experiences and ideas within the construction site, thereby enhancing and specializing the skills of the involved workers. The outbreak of war has prevented the completion of the setup and, most importantly, the opening of the museum to the public. The same spirit of meeting and fraternity that connects the museum to Jerusalem now makes it difficult to face this moment when borders are impassable, but at the same time requires greater commitment to continue designing a place where, once the emergency is over, we can meet again.
The second project focuses on education and psychological support: A Community Living Museum for Palestinian Youth, launched in 2020 and concluded at the end of 2023, is aimed at the large Palestinian community living in East Jerusalem, particularly its younger members. This minority faces a significant identity problem: the long-standing conflict has led young Palestinians in Jerusalem into cultural isolation from which it is difficult to emerge, making it hard to assert their identity and history. A Community Living Museum for Palestinian Youth aims to create a safe space for their cultural and identity growth. In collaboration with various educational contexts – from schools to recreational centers, including scout groups and centers for children with disabilities to involve as many young people as possible – we have created cultural opportunities where Palestinian children and youth can freely explore their history. Unfortunately, the war that broke out in early October has also interrupted these activities. However, through a network of local partners, we have avoided stopping completely, moving some initiatives within schools. In particular, we have offered children art therapy workshops to provide them with psychological assistance and help them cope with the trauma caused by the ongoing tragedy. In this direction, the project has involved various activities already activated at the Spafford Center.
In 2023, the Terra Sancta Museum helped 1,248 people, of whom 772 were children and young people from East Jerusalem benefiting from socio-educational and cultural heritage activities, and 517 were adults from families involved in the activities. The museum attracted 11,000 visitors and implemented 52 educational programs.
