Shrine of the Book
Armand Bartos, Frederick Kiesler · Jerusalem, Israel · 1965
The Shrine of the Book, part of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. Completed in 1965, its striking design symbolically represents the lids of the jars in which the ancient manuscripts were discovered. The dome, a gleaming white tile, contrasts with an adjacent black basalt wall, creating a dialogue between the Sons of Light and the Sons of Darkness, a common theme in the Scrolls. The interior exhibition space, designed by Frederick Kiesler, features a central axis with a replica of the Isaiah Scroll, presented in a round display table. The architecture emphasizes a spiritual and contemplative atmosphere, guiding visitors through the historical and textual significance of its contents.