CAPERNAUM THE TOWN OF JESUS site interpretation and presentation plan
CAPERNAUM “The town of Jesus” SITE INTERPRETATION AND PRESENTATION PLAN July 2007 Renee Sivan Heritage Presentation Specialist Eunice Figueiredo and Peter Bugod Architects
CAPERNAUM SITE INTERPRETATION AND PRESENTATION 2 . Location of the entrance to the The site presentation layout presented On the other hand, these areas will antiquities site here was approved by Fr. Pierbattista minimize the impact of the new pavement Pizzaballa – Custos di Terra Santa. This The access to the site is slightly shifted to and give more expression of the antique the North, while the exit of the public will final site presentation proposal respects village in which the pilgrim enters. be through the traditional gate to the the Committee's requests and 4. Relocation of the main areas of the site monastery. The access area is a small amendments. From the entrance courtyard, the footbridge piazzetta which is inspired by the The present solution differs essentially leads to the general interpretation and from the previous proposals. and brings a architectural pattern of the village. It has introduction area A. Here is the time-line, the proportions and atmosphere of a synthetic view of the whole site, from Hadrianus milestone and the open Bible. courtyard in the village – therefore we will West to East, from the entrance parking Area B serves the synagogue presentation, till the last houses of the ancient village call it the "entrance courtyard". The it is located on its western part. This difference is the pavement which is from included in the Franciscan compound. It presentation includes a section-model of the now on red porphyry ( and which will be does not change the position of the synagogue, explanation panel with the used on the site itself for a main part of the Pilgrims and Visitors Center as already isometric drawing of the building indicating public areas). The courtyard accomodates accepted. It should also be remarked that its different parts. The architectural the new physical-architectural layout. does a temporary tickets office - to be used as elements will be displayed on the western such till the Pilgrims Center will be erected, not affect the presentation devices stone fence as well as free-standing and a small storage adjacent to it. An oil approved till now. adjacent to it. Under the fichus-trees will be The main elements of this proposal are as press, some oil jugs and fishernets are located rest areas and open Bibles with the casually exposed, the visitor already feels follows: verses related to the synagogue. From to be in the village. He can rest on 1 . The access road from the Pilgrims here, the visitor proceeds to the visit of the benches covered by pergolas with wine, Center to the village synagogue. At the exit of the synagogue, before acceding the site through a As part of the Biblical landscaping the entrance terrace will be completed with footbridge. reconstruction we have chosen to let the a wooden deck, some 6 stone steps will be 3 . Uncovering of diggings visitor pass an olives grove before reconstructed. In the deck is an open acceeding to the village. The experience The diggings of area 11 remain exposed, window to contemplate the remains of the from the footbridge one may contemplate of the passage through the pastoral walls of Jesus' synagogue building. them before acceeding the first informal grove gives a timeless feeling, it After descending from this terrace, a new is an antithesis to the previous solutions. explanations area A. We propose also to walking connection is proposed just reopen some other covered diggings, to The existing high palmtrees are obviously underneath, from East to West, giving even stress even more the continuity of the preserved. There is no hard pavement but more flexibility to the visit. urban fabric of ancient Capernaum. a compressed durable natural soil cover.
CAPERNAUM SITE INTERPRETATION AND PRESENTATION Located higher over the remains of one of Area C is located from the ancient tickets Only on the fence will be a few poles, the houses, a wooden deck will provide office till the sea and till the Church. On its flooding bigger areas like the sea shore, the pavement is exposed the octagonal space to let the visitor have a look into the harbor, the courtyards and the diggings. house and the restored oil manufacture. mosaic, panels with explanations and graffiti in different languages from St. 7. Security devices 5. Circulation flexibility Peter's house will be displayed. A section- Security devices will be provided for the The visitors may choose an array of visit model of the church including impressions safety of the site and of the visitors, in all its of St. Peter's house and the Domus circuits, according to their belief, time aspects. In specific places, special disposal or interest. Therefore a leaflet Ecclesia will be displayed, and also open electronic devices or cameras in closed may be provided at the entrance which Bibles with the correspondent verses. circuit will be installed to prevent vandalism; Under trees or pergolas, in front of the explains the visit alternatives. these devices shall work around the clock. This flexibility leaves also a choice for the sea, meditation areas will be provided. guides at the crowded visit hours. Two replicas of ancient fisher boats will be Renee Sivan anchored in the harbor. Peter Bugod 6. Lighting Area D is dedicated to the Insula Sacra. A Eunice Figueiredo wooden deck will allow the access of the The main purpose is to have a minimalist approach of the problem, and allowing a visitor to the antique remains of the Jerusalem, June 2007 minimum of lighting poles on the Byzantine church; on the beam under the modern church will be screened archaeological site. Along the path from the Pilgrims Center till continuously parts of the building that he the Entrance Courtyard, the lighting will be cannot see from the deck. As an low and discreet, stressing here and there explanation item, visuals of the model typical landscaping features. presented in area C will be inserted in the screening. Some footbridges will allow the A low guidance floor spot will also be planned in the path of the archaeological access of this deck. areas. For the monumental facades like Area E deals with every day life in the village. The main element will be a vivid the synagogue, a general but not invasive lighting is proposed, probably from the roof explanation of the oil production process. of the church; while the diggings will be lit A completely reconstructed oil press and by small and unobtrusive local spots. mill will be part of the display.
GENERAL LAYOUT
THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
THE ENTRANCE PIAZZA
THE ENTRANCE PIAZZA
VISITORS CIRCULATION ON THE SITE
ACCES VERSATILITY
SERVICE VEHICLE CIRCULATION
LIGHTING PROPOSAL
CLOSED CIRCUIT SECURITY CAMERAS
THE OIL MANUFACTURE EXPLANATION DECK
RECONSTRUCTION OF OIL JARS
OLIVE OIL MANUFACTURE RECONSTRUCTION
THE INSULA SACRA EXPLANATION DECK
TIMELINE
In Situ Explanations geniza To the upper floor Inscriptions explanation Door decoration The bemah Honor seat First century synagogue
Vegetal Landscape of Biblical Times Date The righteous flourish like the palm tree , and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord, they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bring forth fruit in old age, they are ever full of sap and green. John 12:12-13 Psalm 92:12 -14 Vine- I am the true vine , and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears not fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15: 1-2
Olive But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the richness of the olive tree , do not boast over the branches. Romans 11:17-18 Fig From the fig tree learn its lesson; as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near Matthew 24; 32 Pomegranate …. And they carried it on a pole between two of them; they brought also some pomegranates and figs. Numbers 13:23
The Bible Selection of content as per interpretation areas Area A: Introduction area including timeline and milestone “Jesus…. Left Nazareth , come to live at Capernaum……….” Mathew 4: 13 -16 Area B : Area dealing with the synagogue, including model and display of architectural items “Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught…………” Mark 1:21 – 28 Area C : Area dealing with the House of Peter, including Church model, and graffiti “ When He had entered a house away from the crowd. His disciples asked Him concerning the parable” Mark 7:17 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them.……” Mark 9:33 Area D: The display is about the Insula Sacra, Here the main subject is of course the House Of Peter and the gathering place of he first community Domus Ecclesia. “Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with fever. So He touched……………….And she arose and served them.” Mathew 8:14 - 15 “The His Brothers and his mother came, and standing outside ……. And a multitude was sitting around Him …………..” Mark 3:31-34
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