The Sebastia exhibition in Florence: “Sebastia, the fruits of history and the memory of John the Baptist”

An exhibition to help make better known in Italy the Palestinian site of Sebastia and to recount the goals of the archaeological and development project carried out there by ATS pro Terra Sancta.

The exhibition “Sebastia, the fruits of history and the memory of John the Baptist”, produced by ATS pro Terra Sancta, will be on display in Florence from 25 October to 6 November at the Medici Riccardi Palace, through the support of the Province of Florence, the Archdiocese of Florence and the John Paul II Foundation.

The aim of the exhibition is to tell the story – through texts, photos and videos – of the Palestinian site of Sebastia, and to communicate the important results achieved by the project carried out by ATS to restore the historical center of the village. The project was made possible by the support of numerous donors, including Italian Development Cooperation, the Cariplo Foundation and the Lombardy Region of Italy.

The inauguration is scheduled for Tuesday 25 October at 10.00 in the sala Pistelli and speakers will include Andrea Barducci, the President of the Province of Florence, and Sabri Ateyeh, Ambassador of the Palestinian National Authority in Italy.

The exhibition will be open every day from 09.00 to 19.00 until 6 November. Entry is free.

ATS pro Terra Sancta and the Custody of the Holy Land invite all friends and supporters of the Holy Land to visit this exclusive exhibition dedicated to Sebastia, the village that, thanks to the intervention of Italian and Palestinian experts, is experiencing a rebirth in terms of both archaeology and development.

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The Palestinian village of Sebastia takes its name from the city founded in 25 BC by Herod the Great on the site of ancient Samaria, capital of the northern Israelite kingdom. Sebastia is an archaeological site of great importance where, according to tradition, John the Baptist was buried. Through the patient work of ATS pro Terra Sancta and the technical support of local partners, the historical center of the village of Sebastia has been restored and enhanced, leading to new discoveries and new prospects for life and work for the inhabitants: a Guest House has been set up providing hospitality to tourists and pilgrims, and training courses have been organized for both local tourist guides and the production of typical local products.