From the crypt to the altar, Saint Andrew's Church in Akko, Israel

The city of Akko, a crusader’s possession from XIIth to XIIIth century, is formed mainly from the structures of the medieval city that compose its historic centre, placed on a low promontory that extends into the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in Israel. The medieval urban situation was characterized by the division into districts : the Genoese, Pisan, Venetian, the Knights of St. John and Templars. In the last one, the Greek Catholic Church of St. Andrew is situated with the façade on west side in front of the sea. It was rebuilt on XVIIIth century. The Church occupies an eminent position in relation to the street level and an ancient well is located inside it. It connects the floor of the church with the underground structures identified as tanks. In reality the structures, that are located on the lower level of the Church, reveal five large spans with cross vaults. The proposed theme is a route that starts from the study of the site and it continues in the conservation of the architecture examined: St. Andrew’s Church with its all underground structure. The analysis of the building was done with direct and indirect survey. It was possible to identifie the structures of ardica’s foundation of ancient Church and a vestibular access built in front of the façade of the Church with flanking towers , which composition is similar to many European Churches of Francophone area. The project proposal tries to restore a compositional dignity to these underground rooms that tied them daily to the new reality of the Church. The Catholic community in Akko, a minority in Israel, feels the need to reclaim these areas to rebuild the historicity of their past and strengthen the awareness of the present. The project includes: a new external entrance from the sea, where the new façade stands. It recovers the role of landmark in the city and from the sea, because in the past the façade of St. Andrew had to be triangulated to enter inside the harbour of Akko as it is written on the “Portulano Pisano”.