Shroud of Turin Exhibition in Jerusalem
Titled as “Who is the man in the shroud?”, the permanent exhibition about the Shroud of Turin is displayed in Jerusalem’s Notre Dame center. It presents a detailed account of one the holiest relics in Christendom and the most recent scientific research performed on it.
History of the Shroud of Turin
The shroud surfaced in 1353 in France. It was said to be used to wrap the body of Jesus, and shortly after moved to Constantinople, later to Greece, and eventually taken to France. Once presented to the public it drew much attention. In 1578 it was purchased by the house of Savoy, and transferred to the Cathedral of Turin, where it is on display to this day. The shroud proved to contain micro remains of flowers typical only to Jerusalem’s area. However, carbon 14 tests dated the shroud to the 14th century, the time it first surfaced in France. Yet, some scholars claim that being on display for so many centuries, the shroud was contaminated with modern isotopes, which distorted the carbon 14 results. One thing seems to be certain. The shroud was used to wrap a person who was flogged and pierced in his hands and legs.
Touring the Shroud of Turin Exhibition
The Shroud of Turin exhibition is on permanent display in Jerusalem’s Notre Dame center and is free of charge. It features a replica of the shroud, a suggested position of the person it wrapped, and other items relating to the crucifixion of Jesus. It is well organized, with detailed explanations, and lacks only one item – the shroud itself.
A visit to the exhibition can be combined in a day tour of Jerusalem.
