The Church of the Nativity, located in the heart of Bethlehem, is one of the oldest and most sacred sites in Christianity. It is built over the cave, or grotto, that Christian tradition venerates as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. First commissioned in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine the Great, the basilica is the oldest major church in the Holy Land and the oldest site continuously used as a place of Christian worship. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the church is a place of immense historical, spiritual, and architectural significance, drawing pilgrims from across the globe to the spot where their faith began.

Name and Address

• Name: The Church of the Nativity, or Basilica of the Nativity.
• Address: Manger Square, Bethlehem, Palestine.

How to Get There

The church is the central landmark of Bethlehem and is relatively easy to access from Jerusalem.

• By Bus: Public buses run regularly from Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate to Bethlehem. The journey takes about 30-40 minutes. From the bus stop in Bethlehem, it is a 10-15 minute walk to Manger Square and the church.
• By Car/Taxi: Taxis are a more direct option and can take you directly to Manger Square. The journey is about 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic and checkpoint crossing times.
• Guided Tours: This is a very common method for tourists. Numerous tour operators in Jerusalem offer half-day or full-day tours that include transportation and a guided visit to the Church of the Nativity and other sites in Bethlehem.
• Visitor Tip: The church, and especially the Grotto, can be extremely crowded. To avoid the longest lines, it is best to arrive very early in the morning, right when the church opens, or later in the afternoon. Be prepared for a potentially long wait to enter the Grotto itself.

Landscape and Architecture

The Church of the Nativity is a fortress-like complex that has evolved over 1,700 years, showcasing layers of history in its architecture.

• Fortress-like Exterior: The complex is surrounded by high, imposing stone walls, reflecting its long history of surviving invasions and conflicts. The main entrance to the basilica is the famously small “Door of Humility,” a low rectangular opening that forces visitors to bow as they enter. The doorway was made smaller during the Ottoman period to prevent looters from riding in on horseback.
• The Basilica of the Nativity: The main church, whose current structure largely dates back to a 6th-century reconstruction by Emperor Justinian, is a classic Roman-style basilica. The vast, simple nave is lined with four rows of massive Corinthian columns made of pink limestone. Trap doors in the floor reveal sections of the stunning, original 4th-century mosaic floor from Constantine’s first church.
• The Grotto of the Nativity: This is the spiritual heart of the site. Located beneath the main altar, this small, dimly lit cave is the traditional site of Jesus’ birth. A 14-pointed silver star embedded in the marble floor marks the exact spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. Opposite this is the Chapel of the Manger, marking the location where the infant Jesus was laid.
• Shared Custody: The complex is administered jointly by three Christian denominations: the Greek Orthodox Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the Roman Catholic Church. This is reflected in the architecture, as the main basilica is adjoined by the Catholic Church of St. Catherine and surrounded by monasteries belonging to each denomination.

What Makes It Famous

The Church of the Nativity’s fame is built on its singular, profound claim as the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

• The Birthplace of Jesus: Its primary and overwhelming claim to fame is its location over the grotto venerated for nearly two millennia as the site of the Nativity. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in the world.
• Oldest Continuously Used Church: It is the oldest site in Christianity that has been in continuous use as a place of worship, a testament to its enduring importance and resilience through centuries of conflict and change.
• A Site of Miraculous Survival: The church famously survived the Persian invasion of 614 AD. Legend holds that the invaders spared the building because they saw a mosaic depicting the Magi (the Three Wise Men) dressed in their own Persian attire.
• A UNESCO World Heritage Site: It was the first site to be listed under Palestine by UNESCO, recognized for its outstanding universal value as the birthplace of Jesus and a center of pilgrimage.

Differences from Other Wonders

The Church of the Nativity holds a unique place among the world’s holy sites.

• A Specific Event vs. a Ministry or Death: While other major Christian sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem are associated with Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection, the Church of the Nativity is uniquely focused on the moment of his birth—the beginning of the Christian story. This gives it a different, more intimate spiritual atmosphere.
• Authenticity and Antiquity: The tradition identifying this specific cave as the birthplace dates back to at least the 2nd century AD, making it one of the most ancient and consistently venerated Christian sites. The core structure of the basilica itself dates to the 6th century, making it far older than most of Europe’s famous cathedrals.
• A Shared, Multi-Denominational Space: The complex and sometimes tense sharing of the site by Greek Orthodox, Armenian, and Catholic custodians is a unique feature. This “Status Quo” arrangement is a living testament to the diverse history of Christianity itself.
• Humble Origins: Unlike the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome or the imperial splendor of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, the spiritual focus of the Church of the Nativity is a small, humble cave. The monumental church was built around this simple space, and the contrast between the grand basilica and the lowly grotto is a powerful part of the visitor experience.