Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem, Religious sanctuary in Bethlehem, Palestine
The Church of the Nativity is an ancient pilgrimage site in Bethlehem with an impressive stone structure featuring four rows of monolithic columns carved from local stone and 44 white marble pillars. Beneath the main altar lies the Grotto of the Nativity, where a silver star and continuously burning lamps mark the traditional birthplace.
Emperor Constantine I and his mother Helena commissioned the original church in 326, which Emperor Justinian later rebuilt in the 6th century. This reconstruction established the core structure that has endured to the present and remains a major religious monument.
The place is shaped by three Christian communities: Catholics, Armenians, and Orthodox Christians have maintained separate sections since 1852 and conduct their own rituals and services. Visitors notice this division clearly when walking through different chapels and observing the distinct practices and decorations each group has preserved.
This is a heavily visited pilgrimage site that can be very crowded, especially during Christian holidays and peak seasons. It helps to arrive early in the day and wear comfortable shoes, since reaching the underground grotto involves descending many steps.
The basilica became a shelter during the 2002 conflict when armed Palestinians barricaded themselves inside for a week. This event drew worldwide attention and showed how the site remains connected to the region's ongoing struggles.
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