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Since Tuesday, the Vatican Museums have been displaying a replica of the famous “Jesus Boat” from the Sea of Galilee. The approximately nine meter long exhibition is now permanently located in the hall leading from the ticket offices to the papal art collection.
October 11, 2023 11.52
Online since today, 11:52 am
“The boat is a sign of hope and encouragement,” museum director Barbara Jatta said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. The original was found in the Sea of Galilee, in Israel, in 1986. As it dates back to the time of Jesus, it soon became known in the press as the “Jesus Boat”. His remains are now on display in a museum in Israel, close to where he was found.
As for the question of whether Jesus and his disciples sailed across the Sea of Galilee in this same boat, the president of the Istituto Diplomatico Internazionale, Paolo Giordani, said at the press conference: “We are not sure.” of the Sea of Galilee is of great importance to Catholics.
cedar sailboat
The “Istituto”, which has good relations with the Vatican, was involved in the implementation of the project, as was the shipping company NLG in Naples. The copy of the “Jesus Boat” was built by the Aprea family of shipbuilders, from Sorrento, in southern Italy.
The sailboat was made of cedar wood, as the head of the NLG, Maurizio Aponte, told the Catholic News Agency (KNA). “These were the only trees growing in this part of the world at that time.” There was as much authentic material as possible on the boat. For example, the ropes are made by hand and only a few iron nails are used. The work would take around eight months.
Intensive research
According to the Vatican Museums, this was preceded by an intense research process. Only remains of the hull of the original “Jesus Boat” from the Sea of Galilee were recovered in 1986. Depictions of ships in ancient reliefs and mosaics from Ostia and Pompeii would have provided information about the remaining parts.
Those responsible for the project delivered the “Jesus Boat” to the Pope in mid-March. It is now registered as “boat number one” in the Vatican City State’s previously empty ship registry.