Basilica of the Annunciation
Giovanni Muzio
The small Franciscan chapel, built over the Cave of the Annunciation, was renovated and enlarged in 1877, and its facade was completely rebuilt. It was completely demolished in 1954, in order to make room for the current Basilica of the Annunciation, which is one of the largest churches in the Middle East, designed by the Italian architect Giovanni Muzio and built between 1960 and 1969. The modern Roman Catholic church houses the Holy Cave, the ancient cave dwelling associated with the traditional Annunciation, which was transformed into a chapel by the Crusaders