This historic milestone follows the 2024 Presidential Decree issued by His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas regarding the restoration of the Grotto and the formation of a specialized committee for this purpose. The Committee operates in full coordination with the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs, as part of the national efforts to safeguard Christian holy sites and preserve its historical presence in the Holy Land. The Decree emphasizes the necessity of preserving this spiritual, religious, and national heritage, while explicitly upholding the Status Quo rights of the three Churches in the Church of the Nativity: the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the Custody of the Holy Land, and the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate.
The restoration of the Grotto serves as the vital completion of the comprehensive restoration project of the Church of the Nativity initiated in 2013. The restoration of the Church is considered incomplete without the rehabilitation of the Grotto itself—the spiritual and historical heart of the entire site. For years, the Grotto has suffered from critical structural and technical conditions caused by time, humidity, and the continuous influx of pilgrims and worshippers, making this intervention an urgent necessity to ensure the safety, sanctity, and longevity of the site.
Since its inception, the Restoration Committee has undertaken a comprehensive series of preparatory steps. These include specialized engineering and archaeological studies, precise field examinations, and the development of plans according to the highest scientific international standards. Furthermore, the Committee has finalized all legal, administrative, and logistical requirements in constant coordination with the Churches and relevant stakeholders to ensure that works respect the sanctity and religious sensitivity of the site.
The Italian firm Piacenti has been selected to execute the restoration works. Piacenti is a leading international firm specialized in the restoration of historic and religious sites with direct experience in the Church of the Nativity, having previously executed delicate restoration of the wooden roof, stone elements, columns, mosaics, doors, and facades. Their use of advanced scientific techniques ensures the preservation of the original materials and architectural identity. The continued collaboration with this firm serves as a professional guarantee that the Grotto will be restored with the utmost precision, maintaining its unique spiritual and archaeological character.
As the Restoration Committee of the Grotto of the Church of the Nativity announces the start of these works, it reaffirms its full commitment to protecting this exceptional religious site and safeguarding its spiritual, human, and cultural value. The restoration aims to preserve the sanctity of the Grotto for the benefit of pilgrims, visitors, and the Palestinian people alike. Works are expected to be completed by August 2026, marking a pivotal moment in strengthening the national and Church efforts to preserve one of the holiest landmarks of Christian heritage in the world.
It should be noted that the Restoration Committee is chaired by Dr. Khouloud Daibes (Member of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs) and includes members: Dr. Nabil Kassis, Dr. Nazmi Al-Jubeh, Eng. Imad Nassar, Mr. George Al-Ama, and representatives from the Bethlehem Municipality and the Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation.
