The Shroud of Turin is a mysterious object which has been drawing pilgrims to Turin, Italy for centuries. Much debate has always surrounded the Shroud with people wondering where it came from, how the markings on it were made, if it is Jesus Christ who is depicted and how old it is. We will, perhaps, never know the answers to some of these questions. The Shroud, however, is still fascinating for those interested in history, faith, religion and science alike. If you want to see it for yourself you could find a vacation rental nearby and make a trip to view it this year. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime trip as the Shroud is being shown in a rare exposition.
It will be on public display inside a temperature-controlled glass case in the Cathedral at Turin between April 19th and June 24th. This is only the fifth time since 1933 that it has been exhibited so even Pope Francis is planning to pay it a visit in June!
There is no entrance fee but reservations are mandatory in order to control the flow of visitors to the Shroud. It will open from 7.30am to 7.30pm and each group will only get a few moments to view it.
One million people have already booked appointments since it opened a little over a week ago. Last time that it went on display, in 2010, it attracted two million visitors in total.
The Church does not officially maintain that the Shroud of Turin is the same cloth that wrapped Christ's body after his death and radiocarbon dating from 1988 suggests that it originates in the 14th century. However, it is still shrouded in uncertainty.
There have been no traces of ink, dye, pigment or any substance found to leave the impression of the 5ft 10ins, bearded man who appears to have been crucified that we see on the 14ft piece of linen. The image penetrates the cloth less than 1% of a single thread and the application is absolutely consistent for its entirety.
The is also distance information, i.e. the image is darker and clearer where the Shroud touched the object or body underneath and lighter where it did not touch against it, but yet an imprint is visible in these areas.
There is no entrance fee but reservations are mandatory in order to control the flow of visitors to the Shroud. It will open from 7.30am to 7.30pm and each group will only get a few moments to view it.
One million people have already booked appointments since it opened a little over a week ago. Last time that it went on display, in 2010, it attracted two million visitors in total.
The Church does not officially maintain that the Shroud of Turin is the same cloth that wrapped Christ's body after his death and radiocarbon dating from 1988 suggests that it originates in the 14th century. However, it is still shrouded in uncertainty.
There have been no traces of ink, dye, pigment or any substance found to leave the impression of the 5ft 10ins, bearded man who appears to have been crucified that we see on the 14ft piece of linen. The image penetrates the cloth less than 1% of a single thread and the application is absolutely consistent for its entirety.
The is also distance information, i.e. the image is darker and clearer where the Shroud touched the object or body underneath and lighter where it did not touch against it, but yet an imprint is visible in these areas.
What process could have done this? What medieval artist could have made it? It was only replicated with lab conditions in 2011 and never had been before.
The radiocarbon dating has also been called into question by documents found which suggest the existence of the Shroud at least 160 years earlier.
Blood found on it has been shown to be human and to have come from wounds rather than painted on and are in patterns consistent with Christ's injuries as recorded. Therefore it has yet to truly be confirmed if it is or is not the miraculous object that pilgrims believe it to be.
Either way, it is an extraordinary object and worth seeing at least once in your life. Now you have that opportunity and, while you're in Turin, there's much more to see!
The radiocarbon dating has also been called into question by documents found which suggest the existence of the Shroud at least 160 years earlier.
Blood found on it has been shown to be human and to have come from wounds rather than painted on and are in patterns consistent with Christ's injuries as recorded. Therefore it has yet to truly be confirmed if it is or is not the miraculous object that pilgrims believe it to be.
Either way, it is an extraordinary object and worth seeing at least once in your life. Now you have that opportunity and, while you're in Turin, there's much more to see!
Photo credits
picture 1: Dianelos / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Butko
picture 3: Yiyi
picture 1: Dianelos / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Butko
picture 3: Yiyi