Antonio Barluzzi

Antonio Barluzzi (26 September 1884 – 14 December 1960) was an Italian architect who became known as the "Architect of the Holy Land" by creating, among many others, the pilgrimage churches at the Garden of Gethsemane, on Mount Tabor (considered to be the Mount of Transfiguration), on the Mount of Beatitudes (the site of the Sermon on the Mount), and at the tomb of Lazarus in Bethany. He also restored, giving them a new outlook, several churches and chapels including the Catholic chapel on Calvary, within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Most of his work was done on commission for the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, with whom he was affiliated as a layman rather than as a professed member.

Biography Early life and education Barluzzi was born in Rome, 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 considered entering the seminary, however he was persuaded to delay his entry into the priesthood 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.

First projects Barluzzi spent several years working with his brother, Giulio, on building projects in Italy (1909-1912) and the Middle East (1913-1914).

World War II During the Second World War Barluzzi was in Sardinia 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.

After the war Barluzzi eventually received the commission for the Nazareth project, and when this decision was revoked in 1958, "he suffered a heart attack which brought on cerebral deafness and pulmonary emphysema". A school for girls in Jericho, 1924 Restoration of the Italian Legation premises at Teheran, 1925–26 Terra Sancta College, Jerusalem, built by the Society of Saint Paul of Milan as the "Opera Cardinal Ferrari", 1926 The Italian Hospital in Amman, Emirate of Transjordan (today's Jordan), 1926–28, the very first hospital in that city Church of the Flagellation, Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem, rebuilt over Crusader ruins, 1927–29 A new house for the Carmelite Fathers of Haifa and restoration of their church on Mount Carmel, 1930 The Italian Hospital in Karak, Transjordan, 1931–33 The Italian Hospital in Haifa, inaugurated in 1932 or 33 Restoration of the Catholic chapel of the Calvary in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, 1933–37 Convent and College of St Anthony (Italian: Collegio Sant'Antonio), Jerusalem, 1936, for the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (history here, photos including plaque here) Church of the Beatitudes, Mount of Beatitudes by the Sea of Galilee, 1937-38 Restoration of the Cloister of St. Jerome at the Church of Saint Catherine, Bethlehem, 1947 The parish churches in Beit Sahour (Church of Our Lady of Fatima), 1951 Church of St. Lazarus, al-Eizariya (biblical Bethany), 1952–53 Restoration of the Church of the Holy Face and Saint Veronica (Greek Catholic), Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem, 1953 Church of the Angels or Gloria in Excelsis, Shepherds' Field, Beit Sahour near Bethlehem, 1953–54 Church of Dominus Flevit, Mount of Olives, 1954–55 including a Romanesque-style tower Church of the Visitation, Ein Karem, completed 1955 The Latin Parish Church of St. Joseph, Haifa, run by the Carmelites, built 1959–1961, inaugurated on June 29 June 1961 Date missing Armenian Catholic Patriarchate, Beirut Churches and other related buildings in Amman and Madaba, Jordan The parish churches in Irbid and Zarqa, Jordan Restoration of the Ethiopian Monastery, Jerusalem (probably of the Kidane Mehret Church and its monastery)