Bethlehem

Built in the 4th century by Helena, the mother of Byzantine Emperor Constantine, the Church of the Nativity commensurates the birth of Jesus. It is the oldest church in Israel/Palestine. The Church of the Nativity was reconstructed in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and later repaired by the Crusaders. The Persians are said to have left the church intact in 614, having been moved by the painting inside that depicts the Wise Men of the East dressed in Persian clothing.

At the entrance of the Church of the Nativity is a low legendary doorway, referred to as the Door of Humility. The door is said to have been created in order to prevent carts being driven by looters to enter and to force visitors to dismount before entering this holy place.

The central part of the church is divided by four rows of Corinthian pillars, created from pink limestone. Pictures of the apostles have been painted on the columns along with their names written in Greek and Latin. These pillars are not free from graffiti as many a visitor has carved their own signature over the centuries. The remains of the Byzantine mosaics can be seen through a hole in the floor.

The focal point of the church is the Grotto of the Nativity, a cave which lies beneath the church. Stairways on either side of the main altar lead to the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born. The exact birthplace is marked by a fourteen-point silver star embedded in white marble. Across from the star is the manger where Mary placed baby Jesus after his birth.

Various Christian denominations share control over the different parts of the church. Since 1852, custody has been granted to the Roman Catholic, Armenian and Greek Orthodox churches. The Greeks care for the Grotto of the Nativity.

Next door to the Church of the Nativity is St. Catherine's, which is owned and cared for by the Roman Catholic church. On the way out of the Church of the Nativity is a beautiful Armenian altar built in honor of Mary. The Armenians can be seen praying below through the grates in the floor.