Bethlehem, Palestine
Church of the Nativity
The oldest church in continuous daily use in the Christian world, standing over a limestone cave marked by a fourteen-pointed silver star.
Biblical significance
Justinian's sixth-century basilica replaced Constantine's fourth-century one and has never closed since. You enter through the Door of Humility, a metre-high opening cut down to stop looters riding horses inside. Beneath the chancel, the Grotto of the Nativity holds the silver star inscribed Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est. The mosaic floor of the original Constantinian church survives under trapdoors in the nave.
Scripture
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Best time to go
November to March; avoid Christmas week unless the crowd is the point.
Visitor notes
Free. Bethlehem is in the West Bank — bring your passport for the checkpoint. Combine with the Milk Grotto and Shepherds' Field.
Coordinates
31.7042, 35.2075
On the map
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