Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem

Church of the Nativity

Church of the Nativity, Palestine

Located 10 km south of Jerusalem, the Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Palestine. Inscribed in 2012 for its outstanding cultural value, the prominent feature of this World Heritage Site is the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Originally constructed in 339 AD, the church was built on the location where Christian tradition says Jesus was born. The Church of the Nativity is the oldest Christian church which is still in daily use, and is one of the holiest sites in all of Christendom.

The Official World Heritage Inscription from UNESCO

State Party: 🇵🇸 Palestine

Date Inscribed: 2012

Criteria: Cultural

Many beautiful decorations and ornaments adorn the interior of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, due to water damage that the Church of the Nativity suffers from on a regular basis.

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History of Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem

Courtyard outside of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

The Grotto of the Nativity is the cave where it is believed Jesus Christ was born. In 327 AD, construction of a basilica began on top of this site under the authority of Helena of Constantinople — the mother of Emperor Constantine I. The church was officially completed in 339 AD. Two centuries later, the church was burned and destroyed by the Samaritans.

Original Roman-style floor of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Shortly after the destruction of the original basilica, it was rebuilt by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 565. This 6th-century reconstruction of the Church of the Nativity is what stands in Bethlehem today. The original Roman-style floor, complete with mosaics, is the only portion of the original basilica which has survived centuries of tumultuous history. Several restorations have taken place in the Church of the Nativity, the most recent of which was completed in 2018.

Components of Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem

Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem features several different components that fall under the jurisdiction of this World Heritage property.

Church of the Nativity

Built on top of the spot where Christian tradition states that Jesus was born, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is the premier attraction of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. This church has been a place of pilgrimage and worship for followers of the Christian faith for nearly two millennia.

Medieval golden mosaics on the interior walls of the Church of the Nativity.

Restorations are still continuing today to preserve the medieval golden mosaics which line the interior walls of the Church of the Nativity. The majority of these mosaics have been destroyed or built over throughout the centuries of the church’s existence.

Grotto of the Nativity

The silver star that marks the spot of the birth of Jesus in the Church of the Nativity.

Situated directly underneath the Church of the Nativity, the Grotto of the Nativity is the cave in which Jesus Christ was born. The exact spot of the birth is marked by a 14-pointed silver star. The star was actually stolen in 1846, but was later returned to the grotto by the Sultan of Turkey, bearing the Latin inscription it has today.

Other Components

Architecture of Bethlehem in the West Bank of Palestine.

Other notable components of the UNESCO World Heritage Site include the following properties:

The Church of St. Catharine (adjoined to the Church of the Nativity)
The Outer Courtyard and its extension — Manger Square
Several other Churches and Convents of various denominations:
- Latin
- Greek Orthodox
- Franciscan
- Armenian
Terraced Gardens
Several Bell Towers
The Pilgrimage Route from Jerusalem to Bethlehem — the path that Mary and Joseph took prior to the birth of Jesus

Visiting Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem

Official UNESCO World Heritage Site sign at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

The Church of the Nativity is located in the West Bank, 10 km south of Jerusalem in the Palestinian city of Bethlehem. Therefore, if visiting from Jerusalem, you will have to go through a military checkpoint to enter the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This should not be an issue for most non-Israeli travelers. However, be sure to have your passport, and any other required documentation like you would for any border crossing.

Lines of tourists at the Grotto in the Church of the Nativity.

Entrance to the Church of the Nativity is free, however lines of tourists can be terribly long, especially in the middle of the day and the high season. Most tourists make their way to Bethlehem on a day trip from Jerusalem to see the Church of the Nativity. I would highly recommend extending your stay in Bethlehem past a single day. Both the city and surrounding area are home to a plethora of sites of religious and historical significance — some included in the World Heritage property, and others (like the Shepherd’s Field Chapel and the Milk Grotto), which are not.

The main thoroughfare that runs through the town is Manger Street, which is laid out in the shape of a snake. Many of the main attractions in Bethlehem are within walking distance of each other. However, some of the sites that are located further away can be harder to reach on foot. Spending hours traversing Bethlehem’s hilly terrain can get quite exhausting, but Bethlehem is a fairly small city, so many of these sites can be quickly (and inexpensively) reached by hailing a taxi.