Work Begins
Image idea: scaffolding around the Edicule.
The restoration started in May 2016. The team worked mostly at night and around religious services, so pilgrims could still visit during the day.
They took apart the outer stone panels of the shrine one by one. Behind them, they filled gaps in the crumbling masonry with a special grout to make the structure strong again.
It was slow, careful work. Each panel had to be cleaned of soot, strengthened where needed and put back exactly where it came from.