Church of the Nativity – Bethlehem
KML 31.70431 35.20736
Or Bet Lehem if you are catching a bus.
This is one of the most sacred cites for X-tians as it represents the spot where Jesus was brought into this world through the virgin Mary.
I travelled up here by taxi which cost 60Nsi.
There are no buses all the way and the taxi driver tells me it’s violent compared with Jerusalem a 10 minute journey away.
History
Again, like the Church of the Sepulcher, this was built in the rule of Constantine.
The site demarks some caves on which the initial basilica was built and further expanded and embellished at the time of the crusades.
Again, like the Sepulcher, it is divided up and in generally poor condition.
Doesn’t stop the tourists.
Downstairs you have a star demarking the actual site of Christ’s birth, then you have a marble shelf right representing the manger where the child was situated.
It’s all very interesting and touching, and after a while of reflection, I make my way upstairs.
The church is situated in the West Bank and is Palestinian.
You will need a passport if you want to travel here.