This article appears on ANSA Arts Culture & Style.

The ancient Basilica of the Nativity in the Palestinian West Bank city of Bethlehem is being restored by an Italian firm based in Prato.

The church was originally commissioned in 327 AD by the Roman Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena over the site that is traditionally considered to mark the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth. The original basilica was completed in 339 and destroyed by fire during the Samaritan Revolts in the 6th century, and a new basilica was built in 565 AD by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian.

Read about the restoration at ANSA.