Basilica of the Annunciation, Minor basilica in Nazareth, Israel.
The Basilica of the Annunciation is a two-storey church completed in 1969 in central Nazareth. Its light stone facade rises to a triangular peak topped by a dark conical roof and lantern with a cross; Latin inscriptions such as "VERBVM EST" and "ET HABITAVIT" are carved across it. The lower level holds the Grotto of the Annunciation, while the upper church contains Marian mosaics from many countries.
The current basilica was built between 1960 and 1969 based on designs by Italian architect Giovanni Muzio. It replaced earlier church structures that had previously occupied this sacred site.
The courtyard walls carry a gallery of Marian icons, mainly mosaics with some ceramic tiles, sent by Catholic communities abroad: the Virgin of Candelaria from the Canary Islands, Montserrat from Catalonia, the Forsaken from Valencia and Guadalupe from Extremadura. Inside, the upper church holds images of Mary from many countries. Masses are said in Arabic and Italian.
The basilica has two levels: the Grotto of the Annunciation below and the upper church above, reached from the courtyard. Masses are held in the Grotto, the upper basilica and the adjacent St. Joseph's Church in Arabic and Italian. The entrance is through a light-colored lattice gate at the base of the facade.
The courtyard walls carry a gallery of Marian icons, mostly mosaics with some in ceramic tile, sent by Catholic communities abroad. Among the Spanish panels are the Virgin of Candelaria of the Canary Islands, the Virgin of Montserrat of Catalonia, the Virgin of the Forsaken of Valencia and the Virgin of Guadalupe of Extremadura. The upper church holds further images of Mary, mainly mosaics, each from a different country.
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