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Home > Attractions > Church of the Nativity

Church of the Nativity

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Church of the Nativity, Manger Square, Bethlehem
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The Church of the Nativity is one of the holiest sites in Christian tradition, which holds that the church was built on top of the cave where Jesus of Nazareth was born. The church was first built under the auspices of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great in 135 AD and has been refurbished and added to numerous times since. Inside the church, you can visit the Milk Grotto, which is said to be the actual cave where Mary gave birth to Jesus.

The church is a popular tourist destination year-round and the site of a particularly festive celebration on Christmas, when masses of people from all over the world gather inside and outside the church for services that are shown on a large screen in Manger Square.

The site is also holy to Muslims, who consider Jesus one of the prophets of Allah, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

TripAdvisor Reviews

TripAdvisor Reviews

Based on 2115 traveler reviews

New

“Inspiring ”

Reviewed 1 day agoBy empress2kLos Angeles, California

I truly felt like just staying there for hours soaking in sense of peace. Best time to come is after 5 PM. Very few people were there. I ended up going back twice.

New

“I don’t have a thing for churches...”

Reviewed 4 days agoBy fabildnGermany

... and this was no exception. The place is crowded as hell (ooops, am I allowed to say that about a church?) with tourist groups and in the end it is just a church that was build to mark the possible birth place of baby Jesus. I would have preferred an old stable to...

... and this was no exception. The place is crowded as hell (ooops, am I allowed to say that about a church?) with tourist groups and in the end it is just a church that was build to mark the possible birth place of baby Jesus. I would have preferred an old stable to match what is said in the Bible ;-)

“Something special ”

Reviewed on July 6, 2019By joesK3520BPBristol, United Kingdom

Visited the church of nativity and was a experience I will never forget, the decor is be and the church is under restoration. You can purchase and light candles for loved ones. You can go inside the manger where jesus was born. Have to try it to feel what I felt whilst inside the manger, cannot...

Visited the church of nativity and was a experience I will never forget, the decor is be and the church is under restoration. You can purchase and light candles for loved ones. You can go inside the manger where jesus was born. Have to try it to feel what I felt whilst inside the manger, cannot explain but it was surreal.

Near By (Up to 10 minutes walk)