The floor of the Basilica of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is going under renovation.
The Foundation Centre for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (La Venaria Reale) in Turin and the Department of Antiquity Sciences of La Sapienza University in Rome are overseeing the project which has been agreed by the three major Holy Land Christian communities.
The first stage of the project included mapping the floor, an operation that consists of laser scanning and re-working it digitally stone by stone.
The renovation project is considered significant, especially for the safety of the structure and for the safety of visitors, who have grown exponentially in recent years.
Speaking of his pride in taking part in the project, architect Andrea Caligaris said: "We are in this place, the fulcrum of Christianity and we are right next to the Wayside Shrine of Jesus.
"Many layers of the floor have been added over the centuries, as a result of the various interventions and occupations that took place. So, it's very interesting to see the various differences and how all these elements have been intertwined, a great historical testimony and certainly a great pleasure."
