Antonio Barluzzi
Encyclopedia
Antonio Barluzzi was an Italian Franciscan monk and architect, known as the "Architect of the Holy Land". He created numerous churches in the "Holy Land", these include churches near the tomb of Lazarus and Garden of Gethsemane.
, the thirteenth child of Camillo Barluzzi and Maria Anna Busiri-Vici; his maternal grandfather Andrea Busiri-Vici was the architect responsible for the maintenance of St. Peter's Basilica
. As early as five years old Barluzzi would create remarkable sketches of churches. His family lived close to the Vatican
and historically were workers there. Barluzzi attended the Liceo Umberto I di Roma, where he was instructed by Giulio Salvadori
. After leaving school in 1902, he began to pursue his calling, however he was persuaded to delay his entry into the priesthood only on the advice of his advisor and confessor Father Corrado, who wanted Barluzzi to further his education first. From 1902 until 1907 he attended the Sapienza University of Rome, successfully attaining a degree in Engineering
. Barluzzi spent several years working with his brother, Giulio, on building projects in the Middle East
. He was unsure whether to enter the priesthood and whilst discerning his vocation worked in Jerusalem on a 100 bed hospital for the Italian Missionary Society. While in Jerusalem he was asked by Father Razzoli, head of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, to submit plans for a basilica
on Mount Tabor
.
in 1914 he was obliged to return to Italy. There, in 1915, on the recommendation of his confessors he joined the Seminario Romano di S. Giovanni on the Sunday after Easter. However he never attended any lectures and left after only a few weeks. After leaving seminary he joind the Italian army as a Sergeant and began his military service with the Fortifications Office overseeing archaeological excavations at the second century Castel Sant'Angelo
. In 1918 he joined the Palestine detachment and took part in the allied entry into Jerusalem.
While in Palestine he met Father Custos Ferdinando Diotallevi, the new head of the Custody of the Holy Land, who had the plans Barluzzi had previously drawn for Mount Tabor during his first visit. He requested Barluzzi start work simultaneously on this and another church at Gethsemane. Worried by this new responsibility Barluzzi returned to Italy to take advice, but ultimately returned to Jerusalem decided and determined. By 1924 he had completed The Church of All Nations at Gethsemane
and the Church of the Transfiguration
on Mount Tabor.
doing building works for the Franciscan and Capuchin fathers. He remained in Italy until 1947. During this time he planned a great temple at the Holy Sepulchre and what he thought was his final work in the holy land, a Shrine to the Incarnation in Nazareth
.
, the procurator General of the Franciscan Order. There is a likeness of him near his church on Mount Tabor (pictured) and oddly he also appears in a fresco on the wall of the church he designed at Ein Karem. Barluzzi himself never wore his medals or spoke of his awards and was a simple monk in his behaviour whenever possible. Of his designs, the architecture writer H.V. Morton wrote "They are remarkable for their originality and the variety of their design... Barluzzi will be recognised as a genius in years to come."
Biography
Barluzzi was born in RomeRome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, the thirteenth child of Camillo Barluzzi and Maria Anna Busiri-Vici; his maternal grandfather Andrea Busiri-Vici was the architect responsible for the maintenance of St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
. As early as five years old Barluzzi would create remarkable sketches of churches. His family lived close to the Vatican
Vatican City
Vatican City , or Vatican City State, in Italian officially Stato della Città del Vaticano , which translates literally as State of the City of the Vatican, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of...
and historically were workers there. Barluzzi attended the Liceo Umberto I di Roma, where he was instructed by Giulio Salvadori
Giulio Salvadori
Giulio Salvadori was an Italian poet, literary critic, and educator.-Life:Salvadori was educated at the Sapienza University of Rome, where he became a friend of Gabriele d'Annunzio...
. After leaving school in 1902, he began to pursue his calling, however he was persuaded to delay his entry into the priesthood only on the advice of his advisor and confessor Father Corrado, who wanted Barluzzi to further his education first. From 1902 until 1907 he attended the Sapienza University of Rome, successfully attaining a degree in Engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
. Barluzzi spent several years working with his brother, Giulio, on building projects in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. He was unsure whether to enter the priesthood and whilst discerning his vocation worked in Jerusalem on a 100 bed hospital for the Italian Missionary Society. While in Jerusalem he was asked by Father Razzoli, head of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, to submit plans for a basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
on Mount Tabor
Mount Tabor
-Places:*Mount Tabor, a hill in Israel near Nazareth believed by many to be the site of the Transfiguration of ChristIn the United States:*Mount Tabor, Indiana, an unincorporated community...
.
World War I
With the outbreak of World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in 1914 he was obliged to return to Italy. There, in 1915, on the recommendation of his confessors he joined the Seminario Romano di S. Giovanni on the Sunday after Easter. However he never attended any lectures and left after only a few weeks. After leaving seminary he joind the Italian army as a Sergeant and began his military service with the Fortifications Office overseeing archaeological excavations at the second century Castel Sant'Angelo
Castel Sant'Angelo
The Mausoleum of Hadrian, usually known as the Castel Sant'Angelo, is a towering cylindrical building in Parco Adriano, Rome, Italy. It was initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family...
. In 1918 he joined the Palestine detachment and took part in the allied entry into Jerusalem.
While in Palestine he met Father Custos Ferdinando Diotallevi, the new head of the Custody of the Holy Land, who had the plans Barluzzi had previously drawn for Mount Tabor during his first visit. He requested Barluzzi start work simultaneously on this and another church at Gethsemane. Worried by this new responsibility Barluzzi returned to Italy to take advice, but ultimately returned to Jerusalem decided and determined. By 1924 he had completed The Church of All Nations at Gethsemane
Gethsemane
Gethsemane is a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem most famous as the place where, according to Biblical texts, Jesus and his disciples are said to have prayed the night before Jesus' crucifixion.- Etymology :...
and the Church of the Transfiguration
Church of the Transfiguration
-Albania:*Holy Transfiguration Monastery Church, Çatistë*Holy Transfiguration Church, Gjirokastër*Holy Transfiguration Monastery Church, Mingul-Russia:* Church of the Transfiguration located in Kizhi -United States:Alaska...
on Mount Tabor.
World War II
During the Second World War Barluzzi was in SardiniaSardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
doing building works for the Franciscan and Capuchin fathers. He remained in Italy until 1947. During this time he planned a great temple at the Holy Sepulchre and what he thought was his final work in the holy land, a Shrine to the Incarnation in Nazareth
Nazareth
Nazareth is the largest city in the North District of Israel. Known as "the Arab capital of Israel," the population is made up predominantly of Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel...
.
Death and legacy
Barluzzi died on 14 December 1960 in a small room at the Delegation of the Holy Land in Rome. His funeral was celebrated at the Basilica di Sant'Antonio and was attended by Cardinal Gustavo TestaGustavo Testa
Gustavo Testa was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches from 1967 to 1968, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1959.- Biography :...
, the procurator General of the Franciscan Order. There is a likeness of him near his church on Mount Tabor (pictured) and oddly he also appears in a fresco on the wall of the church he designed at Ein Karem. Barluzzi himself never wore his medals or spoke of his awards and was a simple monk in his behaviour whenever possible. Of his designs, the architecture writer H.V. Morton wrote "They are remarkable for their originality and the variety of their design... Barluzzi will be recognised as a genius in years to come."
Awards and honors
- Knight of the Order of the Crown of ItalyOrder of the Crown of ItalyThe Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861...
, 1922. - Commander of the Order of the Holy SepulchreOrder of the Holy SepulchreThe Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a Roman Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the pope. It traces its roots to Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, principal leader of the First Crusade...
, 1923. - Knight Commander of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
- Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian RepublicOrder of Merit of the Italian RepublicThe Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was founded as the senior order of knighthood by the second President of the Italian Republic, Luigi Einaudi in 1951...
, 24 July 1957. - Honorary vice-consul of Italy in Palestine.
- Member, Archaeological Advisory Board of Jerusalem.
- Member, Pontifical Academy of Fine ArtsPontifical Academy of Fine Arts and Letters of the Virtuosi al PantheonThe Pontifical Academy of Fine Arts and Letters of the Virtuosi al Pantheon is one of the ten Pontifical Academies under the direction of the Holy See. The complete Italian name of the academy, Pontificia Insigne Accademia di Belle Arti e Letteratura dei Virtuosi al Pantheon, includes the adjective...
.
Works
- The Church of All Nations, GethsemaneGethsemaneGethsemane is a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem most famous as the place where, according to Biblical texts, Jesus and his disciples are said to have prayed the night before Jesus' crucifixion.- Etymology :...
, 1919–24 - The Church of the TransfigurationChurch of the Transfiguration-Albania:*Holy Transfiguration Monastery Church, Çatistë*Holy Transfiguration Church, Gjirokastër*Holy Transfiguration Monastery Church, Mingul-Russia:* Church of the Transfiguration located in Kizhi -United States:Alaska...
, Mount TaborMount Tabor-Places:*Mount Tabor, a hill in Israel near Nazareth believed by many to be the site of the Transfiguration of ChristIn the United States:*Mount Tabor, Indiana, an unincorporated community...
, 1919–24 - Church of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Jericho.
- The Church of the FlagellationChurch of the FlagellationThe Church of the Flagellation is a Roman Catholic church located in the eastern or old section of Jerusalem, near the Saint Stephen's Gate. Also included in this complex are the Franciscan Monastery of the Flagellation, and the Church of the Condemnation and Imposition of the...
, Jerusalem (restoration). - The Church of VisitationChurch of the VisitationThe Church of the Visitation honors the visit paid by Mary, Jesus' mother, to Elizabeth, John the Baptist's mother. This is the site where tradition tells us that Mary recited her song of praise, the Magnificat, one of the most ancient hymns to Mary....
, Ein Karem. - The Cloister of Bethlehem (restoration)
- The Church & Tomb of St. Lazarus, al-EizariyaAl-EizariyaAl-Eizariya or al-Izzariya , sometimes referred to by its medieval name of Bethany, is a city in the West Bank. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, it is the second largest Palestinian city in the Jerusalem Governorate , with a population of 17,606 inhabitants.Located on the...
. - The Church of the Angels, Shepherds Fields, BethlehemBethlehemBethlehem is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank of the Jordan River, near Israel and approximately south of Jerusalem, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the Palestinian National Authority and a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism...
. - Dominus FlevitDominus Flevit ChurchDominus Flevit is a Roman Catholic church located on the Mount of Olives immediately facing the Old City of Jerusalem.- History :Dominus Flevit, which translates from Latin as "The Lord Wept", was fashioned in the shape of a teardrop to symbolize the tears of Christ...
, Mount of Olives, 1954 - Church of BethphageChurch of BethphageThe Church of Bethphage, also spelled Beitphage, meaning "house of the early figs", is a Franciscan church located on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem...
, Mount of Olives, (restoration) - A School for girls in Jericho, 1924.
- A hospital in Amman, Jordan, 1926–28
- The Kerak Hospital, Jordan, 1931–33
- The Church of the BeatitudesChurch of the BeatitudesThe Church of the Beatitudes is a Roman Catholic church located by the Sea of Galilee near Tabgha and Capernaum in Israel.-History:Located on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and built on the traditional site of Jesus' delivery of the Sermon on the Mount, pilgrims are known to have...
, Galilee, 1937-38 - The Armenian Catholic Patriarchate, BeirutBeirutBeirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
. - Churches and other related buildings in Amman and Madaba, Jordan.
- The Parish Churches in Beth-Saur, Irbid and Zerka.
- A new house for the Carmelite Fathers of Haifa.
- The Church at Mount Carmel.
- The Convent of St Antony, Jerusalem.
- The Ethiopian Monastery (restoration).
- The Italian Legation premises at Teheran (restoration).
- Terra Santa School, Jerusalem.
- The Greek Church of the Holy Face and St Veronica, Jerusalem (restoration).