Church of the Nativity
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem stands over the cave that Christian tradition has revered since at least the second century as the birthplace of Jesus. The original basilica was commissioned around 326 by Emperor Constantine; after a fire, it was rebuilt in its present form in the sixth century under Emperor Justinian, making it the oldest major church in the Holy Land and one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world.
Beneath the main altar lies the Grotto of the Nativity, where a fourteen-pointed silver star set into the marble floor marks the traditional spot of Christ's birth. Visitors enter the basilica through the Door of Humility, a low stone doorway that forces all who pass to stoop. Like the Holy Sepulchre, the church is shared and carefully governed among the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic communities.
Inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2012 (Palestine's first), the church has undergone major restoration of its mosaics, timber roof, and columns. It remains a focal point of Christmas pilgrimage, with the adjoining Catholic Church of Saint Catherine hosting the televised midnight Mass each year.
- Annual visitors
- ≈ 2,000,000
- Location
- 31.7043, 35.2076
- Local time
- 01:37 (Asia/Hebron)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Sun | 06:30–19:30 |
Winter (Oct-Mar) ~05:30-17:00; Grotto closed Sunday mornings during Mass; free entry
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
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Jesus Christ Saint
Built over the Grotto of the Nativity, traditional birthplace of Jesus
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Theotokos (Virgin Mary) Saint
Mother of Christ, central to the Nativity veneration here
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Saint Jerome Saint
Lived in an adjacent cave; tomb and chapel in the complex where he translated the Vulgate
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Saint Catherine of Alexandria Saint
Adjoining Catholic Church of St Catherine, site of Christmas midnight Mass
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Saint Joseph Saint
Husband of Mary; commemorated in the Nativity narrative and chapels
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The Holy Innocents Saint
Chapel of the Holy Innocents in the grottoes beneath the church
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Saint Helena Saint
With Constantine, founded the original basilica over the grotto
Care & donations
Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic communities (shared)
Free entry; donations accepted
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