MISSION

 

To present the value of Christianity and to promote mutual understanding between all faiths through the museum's extraordinary archaeologic, artistic and historic collections, that range from the times of Jesus until the present times.

 

The history of Christianity in the Holy Land and its intertwining with different cultures and religions have had a tremendous impact that we can still observe today. There is no dedicated place that tells this story and shares it with the whole world. Today, more than ever, such a place is of critical importance, particularly in the Middle East.

Through the TERRA SANCTA MUSEUM we want to foster a better understanding of the history of Christianity within a wider message of respect, dialogue and peace – addressing Christians and visitors of any other culture and religion alike and equally.  

We believe that only mutual knowledge and understanding as well as reflection on the past will help us to avoid repeating the same mistakes, and will provide us with extraordinary examples to follow.  

 

TERRA SANCTA MUSEUM is a lighthouse project by the Custody of the Holy Land, the Franciscan order entrusted by the Roman Catholic Church with the guardianship of the Holy Land 800 years ago. The museum will feature the sites in the Holy Land the Franciscan friars have taken care of and studied, as well as their archealogic, artistic and historic collections, which have grown throughout the centuries and range from the times of Jesus until today.

 

 

OBJECTIVES

 

• To present the value of Christianity and to promote mutual understanding between all faiths through the museum's archaeologic, artistic and historic collections.

• To preserve and share the precious heritage of the Custody of the Holy Land, the Franciscan friars' collections and their knowledge, while making them permanently accessible for a local and international audience.

• To design and offer educational programs aimed at mutual knowledge, respect and peace dialogue, with children and young adults being a special target audience.

• To create sustainable development for the resident community by making the most of the local cultural heritage for  the local  tourism industry, and by training and employing young adults in museum-relatated activities.