Chapel of the Shepherd's Field


The Shepherds' Field Chapel is a Roman Catholic religious building. in the area of Beit Sahur, southeast of Bethlehem in the West Bank in Palestine. The chapel marks the place where, according to Catholic tradition, angels first announced the birth of Christ.

Biblical relevance

The location is traditionally held to be not only the site of the Annunciation to the shepherds, but also the place mentioned in, where Ruth gleaned grain for herself and Naomi.

History

Byzantine period

Prior to the construction of the present chapel in 1953, Franciscan archaeologist Virgilio Canio Corbo excavated the site and found evidence of a large monastic establishment, whose church dates to the 5th century.

Modern church

The Shepherds' Field Chapel was built by the Franciscans in 1953. It is not far from the Greek Orthodox Der El Rawat Chapel, commemorating the same event.

Architecture

The Chapel was designed by architect Antonio Barluzzi. Under the chapel is a large cave.
It has five apses that mimic the structure of a nomadic tent in gray. The words of the angel to the shepherds incristas gold. An image depicting the birth of Jesus can be seen in the place. The Status Quo, a 250-year old understanding between religious communities, applies to the site.

Gallery