After lying silent for over 800 years, the pipes of a medieval organ are once again filling the air with music — this time in a Jerusalem monastery.
The organ, dating back to the 11th century, was originally built in France and later brought to Bethlehem by Crusaders in the 12th century. It was discovered in 1906 near the Church of the Nativity — believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ — during the construction of a pilgrim hostel.
Archaeologists found 222 copper pipes and a bell carillon buried with great care, which allowed researchers to painstakingly reconstruct the instrument.
Spanish researcher David Catalunya, who led the five-year restoration effort, called the instrument a “miracle.”
“This is a window into the past,” said Catalunya. “We are hearing the same sounds that the Crusaders once heard in the Church of the Nativity — not a recreation, but the original sound.”
Today, the organ is housed at the Monastery of Saint Saviour in Jerusalem’s Old City, where it is played to visitors. It will soon be displayed at the museum of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, allowing more people to experience its unique sound.
Musicologist Alvaro Torrente, who worked on the project, described the discovery as extraordinary:
“It’s like finding a living dinosaur. We had written records that these organs existed, but now we can finally hear one as it sounded centuries ago.”
The organ is considered one of the oldest of its kind ever discovered. Most organs studied by historians date back to the 15th century, making this one a rare glimpse into the evolution of church music.
For many, the rediscovery of the so-called “Bethlehem Organ” is more than a musicological achievement — it is a spiritual and cultural bridge connecting modern-day listeners to a sacred past.
Catalunya and his team believe the organ still has more secrets to reveal and hope their work will inspire greater interest in preserving ancient instruments and music traditions.
