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Bethlehem
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|  As
the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the charming town of Bethlehem
has a sweeter meaning to Christians than any other place on
earth. Its origins are lost in history. Being the birthplace
of Christ has thrust this small, rose-coloured city onto a
world stage. Modern Bethlehem is a major tourist attraction
with all the accompanying commercialism that this implies.
Bethlehem's real charm can be found in the side streets away
from the square and pilgrim sites. The town and souq are a
heady mix of ancient and modern, Muslim and Christian.
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• Basilica of the Nativity
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When Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem, they could not find
room in the inn and so Jesus was born in a cave that was used
as a stable. Above the cave was built a magnificent church
- The Basilica of the Nativity. The first Church was built
in the first half of the fourth century A.D. by the Byzantine
Emperor. The present church was built in 530 A.D. It looks
like a fortress from the exterior. The entrance is low and
narrow in order to protect it from invaders and prevent them
from entering on horseback.
Opening hours:
Mon - Sun 6:00 - 18:00
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• Grotto of the Nativity
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2 sets of stairs
on either side of the altar in the Church of the Nativity lead
down into the Grotto, the site where Jesus is said to have been
born. A fourteen pointed silver star embedded in white marble
marks the exact spot with the inscription: Hic de Virgine Maria
Jesus Christus natus est - Here Jesus Christ was born to the
Virgin Mary. Of the fifteen lamps burning around the recess,
six belong to the Greeks, 5 to the Armenians and four to the
Latins.
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sun 6:00 - 18:00
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• Milk Grotto
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According to tradition, the Milk Grotto is where Mother Mary
nursed baby Jesus while hiding there from Herod's soldiers before
going to Egypt. Located southeast of the Basilica, it is an
irregular Grotto hewn out of soft white rock. It is believed
that some drops of Mary's milk trickled, turning the rock white.
Revered by Christians and Muslims alike, the milk-white rock
is famous for its healing powers and reputed ability of making
nursing easier for women.
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sun 8:00 - 13:00 / 14:00 - 16:30
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• Mosque of Omar
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 In
638 AD Omar ibn Al-Khattab visited Bethlehem as an envoy of
the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). He prayed where the Mosque that
carries his name now stands.
The existing Mosque was built in 1860 and was last renovated in
1954. The Mosque is a symbol of religious co-existence in
Bethlehem.
It was built on lands donated by the Greek Orthodox Church to
the Muslims, and it is the only Muslim shrine of worship in the
Old City of Bethlehem.
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• Masjid Bilal (Rachel's Tomb)
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This small building marks the traditional Tomb of Rachel, Jacob's
wife. It is considered holy to Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
The present sanctuary and mosque were built during the Ottoman
period and are situated on the Jerusalem- Hebron Road near Bethlehem's
northern entrance.
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• David's Wells
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 Located
north of Bethlehem, David's wells mark the site where David's
men broke through a Philistine garrison to bring him water.
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sun 8:00 - 17:00
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• Shepherds' Field
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 It
is located in the town of Beit Sahour 2 km east of Bethlehem.
This is the site where the angel of the Lord appeared before
the shepherds bringing them the good tidings of the birth of
Jesus, joined with a multitude of heavenly hosts, who sang "
Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth, Peace among men".
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sun 8:00 - 11:30 / 14 - 17:00
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• Herodion
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The remains of the fortified palace Herod the Great built on
a hill top 6 km south east of Bethlehem dominate the countryside
and offer views of the Dead Sea. A lavish and luxurious place
in its day, a city of round walls and a fort enclosing apartments,
baths and a garden. The ruins of a large pool and extensive
administrative buildings are at the foot of the hill.
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• Solomon's Pool
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Hidden among very tall pine trees in a small valley 4-km south
of Bethlehem, Solomon's Pools consist of three huge rectangular
reservoirs of stone and masonry that can hold 160,000 cubic
meters of water. Although tradition attributes these to King
Solomon, the pools almost certainly date from the time of Herod,
and may have been conceived by Pontius Pilate. In the past,
the reservoirs collected spring and rainwater and pumped it
to Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Qalat al-Burak, an Ottoman fortress
dating back to the 17th century is located near the pools. The
fortress was built to protect Solomon's Pools water source.
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• Mar Elias Monastery
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The Monastery stands like a fortress on a hill
from which both Jerusalem and Bethlehem can be seen. It was
founded in the 6th century A.D. and was rebuilt by the Emperor
Manual Communes in 1160. Legend has it that the building stands
on the site where Elias rested on his flight from the Vengeance
of Jezebel. From the monastery, Bethlehem can be seen to the
south, Herodion to the southeast and sometimes the Dead Sea
across the valley to the east.
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sun 8:00 - 11:00 / 13:30 - 17:00
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• St. Theodosius Monastery
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village of Ubediyyeh 12 km east of Bethlehem. A white-walled
cave marks the burial site of St. Theodosius. Tradition has
it that the wise men rested here after God warned them in a
dream that they should not return to Herod.
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sun 8:00 - 12:00 / 13:30 - 17:00
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• Mar Saba
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 Built
into the rock overlooking the Kidron Valley, 15km east of Bethlehem
, this magnificent monastery is a spectacular sight when it
first comes into view. It preserves a way of life unchanged
since the time of Constantine, and maintains a tradition of
not allowing women to enter. The monastery was founded by St.
Saba (439- 532), the great monastic leader of the Byzantine
period.
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• Artas
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 It
is located in a fertile valley south of Bethlehem. The name
Artas is derived from the Latin word Hortus meaning Paradise.
The ruins include a Crusader convent, the foundations of a Crusader
church, an Arab fortress as well as several Roman, Byzantine,
Islamic, and Crusader ruins. Artas has a breathtaking view of
the spectacular Convent of Hortus Conclusus (closed garden)
and the surrounding hills and terraced green fields.
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• Beit Jala
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This quaint town 2 km west of Bethlehem is
an old Canaanite city whose name in Aramaic means, 'grass
carpet'. It is the home of two theological seminaries and
several old churches and convents. The Church of St. Nicholas,
with its square tower and glittering dome, is the most famous.
The Salesian Monastery of Cremisan, housing a school and a
library, is reputed for its excellent wine. Beit Jala is distinguished
for its first- rate olive oil. The town's pleasant weather
and attractive scenery make it a popular summer resort.
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• Beit Sahur
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This historic town, whose name means
"shepherd's village", lies 2-3km east of Bethlehem. In the past,
the Canaanites inhabited its numerous caves and today it is the
home of many churches and convents. The Shepherd's Field, the
Field of Ruth and Boaz and the Well of the Lady are all located
in Beit Sahour.
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• Al-Khader
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It is a little town surrounded by vineyards,
fig and olive trees and marked by the Greek Orthodox monastery
of St George first established in 1600 AD, a popular site of
pilgrimage. Al-Khader or St. George is one of the saints who is
attributed with healing patients and protection; hence, a
sculpture of St. George killing the dragon decorates the facade
of many Christian houses in the area
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