Pro Terra Sancta is an Italian association implementing projects for the conservation of the cultural heritage, to support local communities and to help in humanitarian emergencies. Pro Terra Sancta operates in the Middle East mainly where the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land are present such as in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Palestine. The Holy Land is the center of the world, a crossroads of peoples, religions and cultures and it is where everybody has their roots.
The Holy Land is also the place where the Christian faith originated and Pro Terra Sancta works there in collaboration with the local communities. The Association promotes projects to increase awareness of our common roots, to foster sustainable development and to provide humanitarian relief and growth opportunities to the most vulnerable people.
Pro Terra Sancta is a non-profit organization officially registered at the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation – AICS in Rome and hold an EuropeAid ID number at the European Commission in Brussels. Pro Terra Sancta mission is to involve people from any backgrounds in supporting social, educational and cultural projects and to foster bonds between the Holy Land and the world.
In the heart of Bethlehem, Dar Essideh Guest House, operated by the Pro Terra Sancta Association, is a retreat that has a commitment to cultural preservation and community development. The guest house, named “House of our Lady” in homage to the Virgin Mary, is strategically located on Essideh Street, a few steps away from Manger Square, the Nativity Church, and the Milk Grotto. With an elegant building featuring a ground-floor courtyard and well-appointed rooms, Dar Essideh offers a mix of comfort and cultural richness. The four ground-floor rooms are complemented by a well-equipped kitchen, while the second-floor houses three additional rooms, a small dining area, and laundry facilities. Guests can enjoy the charm of Bethlehem from the rooftop terrace, with a panoramic view of the city.