Terra Sancta Museum

Terra Sancta Museum The Terra Sancta Museum in Jerusalem is dedicated to Christian archaeology, history, liturgy & arts
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Today, the Terra Sancta Museum highlights a remarkable seventeenth-century white antependium embroidered with floral and...
19/06/2026

Today, the Terra Sancta Museum highlights a remarkable seventeenth-century white antependium embroidered with floral and plant motifs.

Made of ivory white taffeta and richly embroidered with gold and silver threads, lamé, and multicolored silk, this altar frontal unfolds like a garden in thread. Its surface is filled with flowers, fruits, birds, and flowing plant forms, arranged in a richly detailed Baroque composition.

These motifs carry deep religious meaning: the sunflower evokes faith in God and divine light; the pomegranate and acanthus recall the Resurrection; the thistle and carnation allude to the Passion; and grapes recall the Eucharist.
With its delicate embroidery, vibrant colors, and sacred symbolism, the antependium reflects the beauty of liturgical art, where craftsmanship and devotion meet in service of the altar.

Now on view in Texas. Presented at the Kimbell Art Museum in The Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem.

Photos by: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Museum views: Robert LaPrelle, Kimbell Art Museum

Today, the Terra Sancta Museum highlights a remarkable gilt-silver ciborium made in Paris in 1668–1669 by the goldsmith ...
18/06/2026

Today, the Terra Sancta Museum highlights a remarkable gilt-silver ciborium made in Paris in 1668–1669 by the goldsmith Jean Hubé, during the reign of King Louis XIV of France.

Made to hold the consecrated host, the ciborium brings together scenes of the Passion of Christ and images that prefigure the Eucharist. Its finely chased reliefs include the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the Supper at Emmaus, the Paschal Lamb, the Fall of Manna, and Abraham meeting Melchizedek.

At the top stands the figure of the resurrected Christ, sculpted in the round, rising above clouds and angels’ heads. The cross he holds today is a later addition; originally, he most likely carried the banner of the Resurrection.

The ciborium is believed to have arrived in Jerusalem with Charles Olier, Marquis de Nointel, French ambassador to Constantinople, during his solemn visit to the Holy Land in 1674.

Now on view in Texas. Presented at the Kimbell Art Museum in "The Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem."

Photos by: Guillaume Benoît

On the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua, the Terra Sancta Museum remembers the Principal Patron of the Custody of the Hol...
13/06/2026

On the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua, the Terra Sancta Museum remembers the Principal Patron of the Custody of the Holy Land.

Known for his preaching, humility, and closeness to the poor, Saint Anthony has held a special place in Franciscan devotion for centuries. Since 1929, his feast has been celebrated as a solemnity throughout the Custody of the Holy Land.

On this occasion, the museum highlights Saint Anthony of Padua, painted by Francesco de Mura in Naples and sent to the Holy Land in 1733. The work belonged to a group of four paintings made for the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, dedicated to Saint Anne, Saint Joseph, Saint Francis, and Saint Anthony.

In the painting, Saint Anthony is shown in a tender moment of devotion with the Child Jesus, emphasizing humility, closeness, and prayer.

Today, the Terra Sancta Museum highlights two remarkable pieces from the Red Pontifical Vestment of Venice: a chasuble a...
10/06/2026

Today, the Terra Sancta Museum highlights two remarkable pieces from the Red Pontifical Vestment of Venice: a chasuble and a miter, both sent to Jerusalem in the seventeenth century by the Commissariat of Venice.

The chasuble, delivered in 1669, is made of crimson velvet with gold and silver embroidery, enriched with garnets. Its decoration includes floral motifs, tulips, and passion flowers, recalling the Passion of Christ. At the foot of the central ornament appear the letters “C.D.V.”, referring to the Commissariat of Venice, above the coat of arms of the Holy Land.

The miter, which arrived in Jerusalem in 1675 or before, echoes the same decorative language, with gold and silver embroidery, colored stones, garnets, and tulip motifs.
Together, the chasuble and miter preserve a rich memory of Venetian devotion and craftsmanship in the Holy Land.

Now on view in Texas. Presented at the Kimbell Art Museum in The Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem.

Photos by: Joseph Coscia Jr., Nadim Asfour
Museum views: Robert LaPrelle, Kimbell Art Museum

As Corpus Christi was celebrated yesterday, Sunday, in Jerusalem and across the Holy Land, the Terra Sancta Museum highl...
08/06/2026

As Corpus Christi was celebrated yesterday, Sunday, in Jerusalem and across the Holy Land, the Terra Sancta Museum highlights three extraordinary liturgical works connected to Eucharistic devotion and solemn celebrations at the Holy Sepulcher.

We begin with the Eucharistic Canopy, made in Messina in 1665 by Pietro Juvarra and his sons, Eutichio and Sebastiano. A gift of Philip IV of Habsburg, King of Spain, it was created to hold and display the Eucharist during solemn adoration.

The post also presents one of the four vases with silver bouquets and one of the six candlesticks sent by Charles II of Spain and delivered to Jerusalem in 1673. Together, they belonged to a monumental altar ensemble created for pontifical celebrations at the Holy Sepulcher.

Made of silver, gilt copper, semi-precious stones, and colored glass, these works reflect the richness of Sicilian Baroque silverwork under Spanish rule. Their decoration includes royal emblems, the cross of Jerusalem, angels, lions, pomegranates, and floral motifs.

Together, these objects speak of the central place of the Eucharist and the long history of royal and Franciscan care for the Holy Places.

Now proudly on view in Texas as part of The Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem at the Kimbell Art Museum.

Item Photography: Guillaume Benoit, Joseph Coscia Jr.
Museum View: Robert LaPrelle, Kimbell Art Museum

Today, the Terra Sancta Museum highlights Paolo Gaidano’s painting Saint Francis before Sultan Malik al-Kamil, painted i...
04/06/2026

Today, the Terra Sancta Museum highlights Paolo Gaidano’s painting Saint Francis before Sultan Malik al-Kamil, painted in 1898.

The work recalls the historic encounter of 1219, when Saint Francis crossed the lines of the Fifth Crusade to meet Sultan Malik al-Kamil near Damietta, Egypt.

Gaidano presents the meeting not as confrontation, but as a moment of calm dialogue. Francis stands before the Sultan with humility and simplicity, while the Sultan receives him with attention and dignity.

For the Franciscan tradition, this encounter became a powerful symbol of presence in the Holy Land and of dialogue rooted in faith, respect, and peace.

The painting is currently on view in Jerusalem as part of I, Brother Francis. 800 Years of a Great Adventure, presented at the Monastery of Saint Saviour, Jerusalem, as part of the Franciscan Jubilee marking the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Paolo Gaidano
Saint Francis before Sultan Malik al-Kamil
1898
Oil on canvas, 250 × 310 cm

On the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Terra Sancta Museum highlights an extraordinary gold monstrance made in Naples in 17...
03/06/2026

On the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Terra Sancta Museum highlights an extraordinary gold monstrance made in Naples in 1746.

Used to display the consecrated Host during adoration, processions, and solemn blessings, this monstrance is richly decorated with symbols of the Passion of Christ, including the column of the Flagellation, the rooster of Saint Peter’s denial, the cross, ladder, lance, sponge, nails, and crown of thorns.

Around the central glass container, cherubs emerge from clouds within a radiant sunburst, interwoven with vines and ears of wheat, symbols closely connected to the Eucharist.

Made of gold and adorned with rubies, emeralds, and diamonds, the monstrance was offered by benefactors of the Kingdom of Naples and delivered from Naples to Jerusalem on January 27, 1747

Now proudly on view in Texas as part of The Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem at the Kimbell Art Museum.

Item Photography: Guillaume Benoit, Joseph Coscia Jr.
Museum View: Robert LaPrelle, Kimbell Art Museum

Today, the Terra Sancta Museum highlights a humeral veil bearing the coat of arms of Philip II, King of Spain.Probably r...
02/06/2026

Today, the Terra Sancta Museum highlights a humeral veil bearing the coat of arms of Philip II, King of Spain.

Probably received in the Holy Land before 1599, this veil belongs to the long history of Spanish royal offerings to Jerusalem and the Franciscan Custody.

Its red lining is decorated with gold thread, pointed arches, flowering vases, zigzags, and mace-like motifs. These designs draw on eastern Islamic decorative traditions, while also flourishing in Spain, especially in Granada, a major silk-production center in the sixteenth century. There, Mudéjar artisans helped preserve and transform decorative traditions rooted in the artistic heritage of al-Andalus.

The embroidered coat of arms belongs to Philip II of Spain and dates to after 1580, when Portugal became part of the Spanish Crown. Now preserved within this humeral veil, it recalls an earlier royal textile connected to Spain’s offerings to the Holy Land.

Through this object, we see a layered history of royal patronage, Islamic-inspired design, Spanish craftsmanship, and the enduring connection between Spain and the Holy Land.

Now proudly on view in Texas as part of The Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem, presented at the Kimbell Art Museum.

Photos: Alfonso Bussolin, Joseph Coscia Jr.

As we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation tomorrow, we remember Ein Karem, in the hills of Jerusalem, where Christian ...
30/05/2026

As we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation tomorrow, we remember Ein Karem, in the hills of Jerusalem, where Christian tradition places the meeting of the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elizabeth.

The Gospel of Luke presents this encounter as a moment filled with recognition, blessing, and joy. Elizabeth welcomes Mary with words of faith, and Mary responds with the Magnificat, her hymn of praise: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.”

The Church of the Visitation, entrusted to the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, preserves this memory as a place of prayer and pilgrimage, closely tied to the sacred landscape of Jerusalem.

In this place, the Visitation invites us to contemplate humility, encounter, and the joy carried in faith.

From the Terra Sancta Museum team, we wish you a blessed Feast of the Visitation.

Photos by: Elias Halabi

28/05/2026

During the month dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a moment of prayer from Saint Saviour Church in Jerusalem.

In the heart of the Old City, voices rise in devotion, carrying a tradition of faith, remembrance, and hope that continues to shape the spiritual life of the Holy Land.

From the Terra Sancta Museum, we invite you to join this prayer for peace.

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Jerusalem

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Monday 09:00 - 12:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 12:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 12:00
Thursday 09:00 - 12:00
Friday 09:00 - 12:00
Saturday 09:00 - 12:00
Sunday 09:00 - 12:00

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