⭐ Church of the Nativity
Palestine
About This Sacred Site
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world, built over the cave where Jesus Christ is traditionally believed to have been born. The original church was commissioned by Emperor Constantine in 327 CE and rebuilt by Emperor Justinian in 565 CE. A 14-pointed silver star in the Grotto of the Nativity marks the exact spot of Jesus's birth. The church is shared by the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian Apostolic churches.
Key Facts
- •One of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world
- •The original church was built by Emperor Constantine in 327 CE
- •A 14-pointed silver star marks the traditional spot of Jesus's birth
- •The Door of Humility is only 1.2 meters high, forcing visitors to bow upon entry
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012 — the first Palestinian site listed
Location
Coordinates: 31.7042, 35.2075
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