Which historical manuscripts are preserved here?

The facility preserves the Dead Sea Scrolls along with the Aleppo Codex.

What is the meaning behind the building design?

The contrasting white dome and black basalt wall represent themes from the Scroll of the War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness.

Is the displayed Isaiah Scroll an original manuscript?

A facsimile of the Isaiah Scroll is shown to the public to prevent degradation of the original text.

Why are scroll exhibits rotated?

Scrolls are periodically moved into secure storage rooms because continuous light exposure damages fragile parchment.

Where is the pavilion located within the city?

The site is located in the Givat Ram neighborhood as part of the Israel Museum.

West Jerusalem · Israel

Shrine of the Book: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Researchers in Givat Ram walk past the white dome daily, balancing archival work with strict gallery conservation cycles. Residents near the museum complex trade commercial noise for institutional quiet.

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Now in the cityShrine of the Book+24°CClearupdated 02:22 PM Around here2

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About the place

The complex protects ancient biblical manuscripts beneath an unusual subterranean pavilion.

This specialized wing of the Israel Museum stands in the Givat Ram district, holding landmark ancient manuscripts. Funded by the family of David Samuel Gottesman, the building emerged from designs by Armand Phillip Bartos, Frederick John Kiesler, and Gezer Heller. A white dome rises above a reflecting pool while most of the exhibition space sits underground, positioned directly across from a contrasting black basalt wall.

Read on

The contrasting architecture reflects themes from the War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness scroll, contrasting pure white stone with dark basalt. Inside, the facility preserves the Aleppo Codex and the Dead Sea Scrolls, displaying a facsimile of the Isaiah Scroll. Extreme physical fragility requires regular exhibit rotations, sending original texts to darkened storage while scholars study surrounding archives.

Associations

Dead Sea ScrollsFragile ancient parchments preserved underground in climate-controlled cases.
Aleppo CodexHistoric Hebrew Bible manuscript kept in secured museum custody.
Exhibit rotation scheduleParchment sensitivity forces frequent removals to dark storage vaults.
Symbolic architectureWhite dome and black basalt wall represent opposing light and darkness.

Facts

The complex operates as a dedicated pavilion of the Israel Museum in the Givat Ram area.
Frederick John Kiesler, Armand Phillip Bartos, and Gezer Heller designed the building.
The structure houses ancient manuscripts including the Aleppo Codex and the Isaiah Scroll.
The Bank of Israel issued a dedicated bullion coin featuring the architectural dome.

Updated September 21, 2026Source: Wikipedia

Shrine of the Book: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around2

The complex protects ancient biblical manuscripts beneath an unusual subterranean pavilion.

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