Bethlehem Salvation Grotto
by Nieves Nitta
Title
Bethlehem Salvation Grotto
Artist
Nieves Nitta
Medium
Photograph - Digital Art. Watermark Not On Actual Print
Description
Partial view of the interior of the Church or Basilica of the Nativity, Bethlehem. A complex array of sanctuary lamps is placed throughout the entire building. The open ceiling exposes the wooden rafters, recently restored. A priest or monk (center bottom half of the image), possibly in meditation, faces in the direction of one of the two accesses to the Grotto of the Nativity. The Grotto of the Nativity, the place where Jesus is said to have been born, is an underground space which forms the crypt of the Church of the Nativity. It is situated underneath its main altar, and it is normally accessed by two staircases on either side of the chancel.
The cave has an eastern niche said to be the place where Jesus was born, which contains the Altar of Nativity. The exact spot where Jesus was born is marked beneath this altar by a 14-pointed silver star with the Latin inscription Hic De Virgine Maria Jesus Christus Natus Est-1717 ("Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary"-1717). In the middle of the 14 pointed star is a circular hole, through which you can reach in to touch the stone that is said to be the original stone that Mary laid on when she gave birth to Jesus. Roman Catholics are in charge of a section of the Grotto known as the "Grotto of the Manger", marking the traditional site where Mary laid the newborn baby in the manger. The Altar of the Magi is located directly opposite from the manger site (Wikipedia excerpts). Image subject to US and international copyright laws, not to be copied, manipulated, or used in any manner without prior written consent from the author, Nieves Nitta. Thank you for visiting my gallery!
Featured FAA art groups:
Churches 11/02/2019
Catholic Art Gallery 11/06/2019
Uploaded
November 1st, 2019
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Viewed 122 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/15/2024 at 10:43 AM
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Comments (6)
Nieves Nitta
Many thanks for the feature in the Catholic Art Gallery, Frank! The light was so lacking when the picture was taken and it took effort to bring some clarity to the image! I was hesitant to post it but wanted to share the capture of such special place. I appreciate your consideration very much. Blessings!
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