Milk Grotto Chapel, Catholic chapel in Bethlehem, Palestine
The Milk Grotto Chapel is a Catholic chapel in Bethlehem, Palestine, enclosing three natural caves carved from white limestone. The church structure was built around the geological formation, preserving the original rock walls inside.
Franciscan Brothers built the current chapel in 1872 over the remains of a fifth-century Byzantine church. Fragments of mosaic flooring from the earlier building remain visible today.
Women from various religious backgrounds come here seeking blessings for fertility, continuing centuries-old spiritual customs. The white limestone walls are seen as a sign of divine presence and draw pilgrims from across the region.
The chapel opens daily in the morning and afternoon, with closing times varying by season. Visitors should wear modest clothing and be prepared for tight spaces within the cave structure.
A local tradition recounts that a drop of Virgin Mary's milk fell on the cave floor while nursing, turning the rock formation white. Pilgrims often take small amounts of the white rock dust home as a spiritual keepsake.
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