Historical Archive of the Custody of the Holy Land (ASCTS)

• Religious

The Franciscans have been based in the Holy Land since 1217 and their oldest documents date from 1230s. They are known as the Catholic guardians of the Holy Sites in the Holy Land. They have been active for many generation in their efforts to expand their presence. Their first monastery was built in Mount Zion and they have since purchased more sites and settled in 56 different sites. Each Franciscan community has a library and an archive. The head of every Franciscan house keeps a daily diary and copies of correspondence (especially with the papal court). In the 19th century Spain was a major sponsor of the Franciscan Custody in the Holy Land and today the main support comes from Poland and Italy.

Entry prepared on August 2018

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custody_of_the_Holy_Land; http://www.custodia.org/

Author : Open Jerusalem