For much of the world, the Tomb of Christ has been sacred ground for over two millennia. Now, the spiritual haven is preparing for a $4 million renovation. The World Monuments Fund recently announced plans to restore Jerusalem’s Edicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a location considered by most to be the a location where Jesus Christ is said to have been buried and resurrected. Roughly $1.3 million of the funds for renovation came as a philanthropic gift from Mica Ertegun, cofounder of MAC II, an AD100 design firm with projects around the world. “I am pleased to be the lead donor for the restoration of the Edicule and to help in the restoration of this sacred place of worship for people of many faiths,” said Ertegun in a statement.
The current structure, which is supported by heavy shoring, dates from 1810. It’s the fourth design to have covered the tomb since the construction of the church by the Emperor Constantine in the fourth century. Previous structures were destroyed by fire, earthquake, and the Fatimid takeover of Jerusalem in 1009.
A view of its interior.
Plans for the renovation had been in discussion for nearly five decades, but time and again, momentum lost steam due to financial difficulties. With this new wave of funding, renovation on the Tomb of Christ can, and will, begin immediately. The work—which will be spearheaded by professors from the National Technical University of Athens—will consist of removing and reattaching the exterior marble cladding, reinforcing the bearing structure and repairing a fracture in the original rock, and cleaning the marble cladding. The work is scheduled to be completed in spring 2017.
