The 12th-Century Organ and Bell Carillon of the Nativity Church in Bethlehem

The Terra Sancta Museum in Jerusalem preserves the remains of a 12th-century organ and bell carillon discovered during an archaeological excavation at the Nativity Church in Bethlehem. Considered the oldest and most complete exemplars surviving in Christendom, these archaeological remains shed unique light on a particularly obscure period in the history of these musical instruments.

The Institut für Musikforschung of the University of Würzburg has initiated a collaboration with the Custody of the Holy Land and the Terra Sancta Museum in Jerusalem to study and reconstruct the 12th-century organ and bell carillon of Bethlehem. The international project, led by Dr. David Catalunya, is currently in a preparatory stage.
The preliminary exploration has already yield fascinating discoveries, which will see the light in forthcoming publications. Stay tuned for updates on the development of this project.