Brazil has finalized a donation of R$ 792,000.00 for the restoration of the Basilica of the Nativity of Jesus, in Bethlehem, the Holy Land. It is one of the most important monuments of Christian pilgrimage in the 
world, with immense historical, cultural, and tourist significance.
The Basilica of the Nativity was built during the reign of Constantine in the 4th century and rebuilt during that of Justinian in the 6th century. It houses the cave that tradition recognizes as the birthplace of Jesus. A site of high historical, artistic, and religious value, the Basilica receives about 3 million visitors a year, including numerous Brazilian pilgrims.
The donation was made under the auspices of Laws 13.669, of 30/5/2018, and 13.735, of 22/11/2018. It will be used exclusively for the recovery of mosaics from the Byzantine period, in the southern portion of the original nave of the Basilica (4th century).
As it is a monument inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the restoration work is monitored by UNESCO. Under the audit of the company Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, the works began in 2013 and are expected to be completed in 2019.
In addition to Brazil, contributions to the project have so far come from Chile, Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Morocco, Poland, Russia, Turkey, and the Holy See, among others.
More information about the restoration is available on the website www.nativityrestoration.ps.
Brazil has also contributed to the restoration of two other Christian sites in the Holy Land: the Church of All Nations in Jerusalem and the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs