A spot still untouched by mass tourism notwithstanding the nearby Roman archaeological site of immense value, the tomb presumably belonging to John the Baptist and the breath-taking landscapes: Sebastia, the town founded by Herod the Great on the site of old Samaria in honour of Emperor Augustus, rediscovers today its own cultural heritage thanks to […]

The Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East will take place in Rome from 10 to 24 of October. Decided upon by Pope Benedict XVI following his journey to the Holy Land in May 2009, this extraordinary Synod Assembly has the task of confronting crucial questions and carries high hopes in […]

The history of the Catholic Churches in the Holy Land, as well as the difficulties and the hopes of the “small flock” living in the Land of Christ, expecting new vitality from the  Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East… Reportages, images, interviews by the Franciscan Media Center. Watch all the […]

Visiting archaeological sites of  great cultural value, walking down one of the marvelous trekking paths of Samaria, tasting typical local products and taking in Palestinian traditions in a cozy environment: it’s possible now in Sebastia, a pearl still relatively unknown to mass tourism but increasingly rediscovered by tourists and pilgrims looking for a natural holiday […]

Yet another stage of the tour in the Holy Land of an art piece of great cultural value: the 1:4 model of the Scrovegni Chapel, donated by Padua Province to the Custody of the Holy Land, is now on show in Jaffa of Tel Aviv at the University College “Ha-Hakademit”. The Chapel, frescoed by Giotto […]

“Jerusalem belongs to everybody, Jews, Christians, Muslims. And above all, it’s a universal heritage of humanity, under UNESCO protection. Why shouldn’t we try to take, always, shared decisions?”. These were the words, some years ago, of Padre Michele Piccirillo, archaeologist of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum , recently passed away. He was referring to one of […]

68 Christian families have received, during an opening ceremony attended by the Custodian of the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the symbolic keys to the new apartments given to them in Jerusalem (Beit Faji) by the Custody of the Holy Land. “It was a long process with many problems to face” said the Custodian of the […]

A master lecture for the new Franciscan friars at the Custody of the Holy Land to discuss faith and communication in the XXI century. Father Paolo Padrini, expert on web communication and creator of the lucky Iphone application “Ibreviary” met the seminarists of the Custody of the Holy Land to introduce the new applications to […]

Just one click on your telephone to stay in touch with the Holy Land, receive directly the latest news and updates, be informed timely about the life of Christians, the Holy Sites and the activities of the Custody of the Holy Land. Thanks to the cooperation started between ATS pro Terra Sancta and Father Paolo […]

A journey between Jordan, Palestine and Israel to remember Father Michele Piccirillo, famous biblicist and archaeologist of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum of the Custody of the Holy Land, recently passed away: “Following in Father Michele Piccirillo’s footsteps”. The Municipality of Montevarchi, two years after Father Michele Piccirillo’s demise, wants to remember him by organising a […]

From the 30. of September until the 28. of October several exclusive organ concerts will take place at the Custody of the Holy Land in the Old City of Jerusalem. The concerts, organized by the Magnificat Music Institute of Jerusalem will take place at the St. Saviour’s Church in the Old City near New Gate. […]

A number of events in the month of October dedicated to the Holy Land and the Christian population in the Middle East. Synod of the Bishops for the Middle East From 10th to 24th October the Special Assembly of the Synod of the Bishops for the Middle East will take place in Rome. Called for […]

The 3rd Holy Land Volunteer Day will take place in Rome on October 9th , organized by Edizioni di Terra Santa (the Publishing House of the Custody of the Holy Land) and with the participation also of ATS Pro Terra Sancta, the non-profit organization of the Custody of the Holy Land which has been availing […]

A multimedia exhibition about Christians in the Middle East organized by Edizioni di Terra Santa (the Publishing House of the Custody of the Holy Land) in collaboration with ATS Pro Terra Sancta on the occasion of the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East. It will take place in Rome from […]

Visit the Holy Sepulchre from home? Re-experience the visit to the Basilica once back from a pilgrimage? Thanks to the new ATS Pro Terra Sancta project it will soon be possible to take an online virtual tour of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and acquire further information about cultural and historical aspects connected to […]

Pro Terra Sancta, the NGO in support of the Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land, was present at the Meeting in Rimini hosted by Compagnia della Opere. With a stand rich in images of the Holy Land and with the support of many passionate and knowledgeable volunteers, we tried to reflect the Custody […]

In Sebastia, the city founded by Herod the Great on the site of ancient Samaria, work is continuing. Pro Terra Sancta, the non-profit in support of the Custody of the Holy Land, which, for several years, has carried out restoration work in the historic centre and trained the local population, will enlarge the existing guesthouse […]

Want to stay in touch with the Holy Land, understand the reality of the Middle East and be informed about everything to do with the life of Christians, activities and goings on in the Holy Places? ATS Pro Terra Sancta is offering you the chance to thanks to the online, available at www.proterrasancta.org. You can […]

“Recounting the Holy Land” is a project aimed at collating, archiving and preserving ancient heritage. It will widen the knowledge of the documented history of Christianity in these areas, and it will also keep updated information on the experiences of the Franciscan presence here and on the works currently undertaken by the Custody. The initiative […]

Cultural heritage of the Christian presence in the Holy Land: ATS Pro Terra Sancta will support the restauration and enlargement of the library of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum to improve teaching activities and biblical and archeological research in Jerusalem. The project represents a important step in order to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the […]