The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem: The Crusader Lining of an Early Christian Basilica

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is one of the few medieval monuments whose decoration, preserved, even if partially, in its original state until recently, can be almost completely reconstructed on behalf of surviving mosaics and wall paintings, in situ inscriptions, and rich written evidence from the Middle Ages and early modern times. The decorative program, dating back to the third quarter of the twelfth century, represents a unique testimony of its time, touching to historical, theological, and art-historical aspects. . The best experts of crusader art in the Holy Land explain the equipment of the Church of the Nativity in its historical, art-historical and theological context . Of particular value are the photographs of Gustav Kühnel, important documents of the state of the mosaics before their restoration . With a new edition of the mosaic inscriptions by Erich Lamberz in English translation