The two wooden leaves of the main door of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, in Jerusalem, were dismantled on Thursday, February 19, to begin a restoration process, in an uncommon intervention as it is one of the most emblematic entrances of Christendom.
According to the medium Terre Sainte, the decision was taken taking advantage of the presence of the team working on the restoration of the basilica’s pavement and in the face of signs of weakening of the doors. The custodian Churches of the temple agreed to act in a coordinated manner to avoid further deterioration.
Doors temporarily replaced by panels with photographs
While the work lasts, the original doors—which, according to the information disseminated, could date back to the 12th century—have been replaced by provisional doors to which photographs of the authentic leaves have been adhered, with the aim of visually maintaining the usual image of the entrance.
The article recalls that the last significant restoration of these doors would date back to 1810, in the context of works promoted by the Greek Orthodox Church following a fire in the basilica.
A detail that many pilgrims overlook
The text emphasizes that most pilgrims do not usually notice these doors, accustomed to finding them open. Nor do they always notice that next to the current entrance there are twin doors that have been bricked up, linked to historical episodes of the city.
Terre Sainte places that context in the conquest of Jerusalem by Saladin in 1187, when—according to the account—accesses were ordered to be bricked up and an entry control for Christians was established, with an associated fee.
The keys, in the hands of Muslim families since the Middle Ages
One of the best-known elements—and often explained in a simplified way in guided tours—is that the keys to the basilica are in the hands of Muslim families. The report states that this custody is not solely due to disagreements between Christian denominations, but to a historical origin: the handing over of the keys to families in charge of managing access.
Specifically, it is mentioned that the descendants of the Nusseibeh and Joudeh families still today perform the daily closing ritual, using an opening in the right leaf through which the ladder necessary to lock the door is introduced. According to the text, these are the same families since 1246.
A door loaded with history and everyday gestures
The report recalls that the basilica has experienced recent episodes in which its doors received special attention, such as the closure in 2018 during a protest by the Churches over tax issues, or the closures during the pandemic.
With more than 800 years, the wooden doors are presented as a “silent witness” to the history of Jerusalem. The restoration seeks to preserve their character and the traces of time, without erasing the symbolic value accumulated by centuries of pilgrimage.