CAPERNAUM THE TOWN OF JESUS site interpretation and presentation plan

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1 CAPERNAUM THE TOWN OF JESUS site interpretation and presentation plan

2 CAPERNAUM The town of Jesus SITE INTERPRETATION AND PRESENTATION PLAN July 2007 Renee Sivan Heritage Presentation Specialist Eunice Figueiredo and Peter Bugod Architects

3 CAPERNAUM SITE INTERPRETATION AND PRESENTATION The site presentation layout presented here was approved by Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa Custos di Terra Santa. This final site presentation proposal respects the Committee's requests and amendments. The present solution differs essentially from the previous proposals. and brings a synthetic view of the whole site, from West to East, from the entrance parking till the last houses of the ancient village included in the Franciscan compound. It does not change the position of the Pilgrims and Visitors Center as already accepted. It should also be remarked that the new physical-architectural layout. does not affect the presentation devices approved till now. The main elements of this proposal are as follows: 1. The access road from the Pilgrims Center to the village As part of the Biblical landscaping reconstruction we have chosen to let the visitor pass an olives grove before acceeding to the village. The experience of the passage through the pastoral informal grove gives a timeless feeling, it is an antithesis to the previous solutions. The existing high palmtrees are obviously preserved. There is no hard pavement but a compressed durable natural soil cover. 2. Location of the entrance to the antiquities site The access to the site is slightly shifted to the North, while the exit of the public will be through the traditional gate to the monastery. The access area is a small piazzetta which is inspired by the architectural pattern of the village. It has the proportions and atmosphere of a courtyard in the village therefore we will call it the "entrance courtyard". The difference is the pavement which is from now on red porphyry ( and which will be used on the site itself for a main part of the public areas). The courtyard accomodates a temporary tickets office - to be used as such till the Pilgrims Center will be erected, and a small storage adjacent to it. An oil press, some oil jugs and fishernets are casually exposed, the visitor already feels to be in the village. He can rest on benches covered by pergolas with wine, before acceding the site through a footbridge. 3. Uncovering of diggings The diggings of area 11 remain exposed, from the footbridge one may contemplate them before acceeding the first explanations area A. We propose also to reopen some other covered diggings, to stress even more the continuity of the urban fabric of ancient Capernaum. On the other hand, these areas will minimize the impact of the new pavement and give more expression of the antique village in which the pilgrim enters. 4.Relocation of the main areas of the site From the entrance courtyard, the footbridge leads to the general interpretation and introduction area A. Here is the time-line, Hadrianus milestone and the open Bible. Area B serves the synagogue presentation, it is located on its western part. This presentation includes a section-model of the synagogue, explanation panel with the isometric drawing of the building indicating its different parts. The architectural elements will be displayed on the western stone fence as well as free-standing adjacent to it. Under the fichus-trees will be located rest areas and open Bibles with the verses related to the synagogue. From here, the visitor proceeds to the visit of the synagogue. At the exit of the synagogue, the entrance terrace will be completed with a wooden deck, some 6 stone steps will be reconstructed. In the deck is an open window to contemplate the remains of the walls of Jesus' synagogue building. After descending from this terrace, a new walking connection is proposed just underneath, from East to West, giving even more flexibility to the visit.

4 CAPERNAUM SITE INTERPRETATION AND PRESENTATION Area C is located from the ancient tickets office till the sea and till the Church. On its pavement is exposed the octagonal mosaic, panels with explanations and graffiti in different languages from St. Peter's house will be displayed. A sectionmodel of the church including impressions of St. Peter's house and the Domus Ecclesia will be displayed, and also open Bibles with the correspondent verses. Under trees or pergolas, in front of the sea, meditation areas will be provided. Two replicas of ancient fisher boats will be anchored in the harbor. Area D is dedicated to the Insula Sacra. A wooden deck will allow the access of the visitor to the antique remains of the Byzantine church; on the beam under the modern church will be screened continuously parts of the building that he cannot see from the deck. As an explanation item, visuals of the model presented in area C will be inserted in the screening. Some footbridges will allow the access of this deck. Area E deals with every day life in the village. The main element will be a vivid explanation of the oil production process. A completely reconstructed oil press and mill will be part of the display. Located higher over the remains of one of the houses, a wooden deck will provide space to let the visitor have a look into the house and the restored oil manufacture. 5. Circulation flexibility The visitors may choose an array of visit circuits, according to their belief, time disposal or interest. Therefore a leaflet may be provided at the entrance which explains the visit alternatives. This flexibility leaves also a choice for the guides at the crowded visit hours. 6. Lighting The main purpose is to have a minimalist approach of the problem, and allowing a minimum of lighting poles on the archaeological site. Along the path from the Pilgrims Center till the Entrance Courtyard, the lighting will be low and discreet, stressing here and there typical landscaping features. A low guidance floor spot will also be planned in the path of the archaeological areas. For the monumental facades like the synagogue, a general but not invasive lighting is proposed, probably from the roof of the church; while the diggings will be lit by small and unobtrusive local spots. Only on the fence will be a few poles, flooding bigger areas like the sea shore, the harbor, the courtyards and the diggings. 7. Security devices Security devices will be provided for the safety of the site and of the visitors, in all its aspects. In specific places, special electronic devices or cameras in closed circuit will be installed to prevent vandalism; these devices shall work around the clock. Renee Sivan Peter Bugod Eunice Figueiredo Jerusalem, June 2007

5 GENERAL LAYOUT

6 THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

7 THE ENTRANCE PIAZZA

8 THE ENTRANCE PIAZZA

9 VISITORS CIRCULATION ON THE SITE

10 ACCES VERSATILITY

11 SERVICE VEHICLE CIRCULATION

12 LIGHTING PROPOSAL

13 CLOSED CIRCUIT SECURITY CAMERAS

14 THE OIL MANUFACTURE EXPLANATION DECK

15 RECONSTRUCTION OF OIL JARS

16 OLIVE OIL MANUFACTURE RECONSTRUCTION

17 THE INSULA SACRA EXPLANATION DECK

18 TIMELINE

19 In Situ Explanations geniza To the upper floor Inscriptions explanation Door decoration The bemah Honor seat First century synagogue

20 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

21 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

22 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: 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