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Unbelievable amount of mosaics on the wall, and the place where Jesus was born. Beautiful architecture inside and out. However, you cannot visit this place peacefully, as hordes and hordes of visitors jostle around for pictures and entrance to different areas of the church. It may be worth it to stay overnight so you can visit early in the morning or late in the evening.…
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Date of experience: January 2020
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This was my second visit to the Church of the Nativity. On my initial visit, I toured with a large group, and encountered long lines and waiting for a brief glimpse and touch of the protected stone where Jesus was born, along with His manger stone in the Grotto of the Nativity. This second journey was an entirely different experience, as my adult son and I booked a private tour to this Holy site during mid December, when crowds are considerably smaller. Arriving just prior to a processional mass, we were permitted to remain on the stairs in the grotto below the Basilica, and observe the moving, spiritual experience which included a grouping of priests and nuns, bearing burning incense, while singing praises of worship on this hallowed ground. We joined the procession as it moved on, and were led further into the bowels of the grotto into another chapel, where additional worship occurred. What an amazing experience! This UNESCO World Heritage Site received a small relic piece of the original Manger in 2019, which is now on view in the Church of the Nativity. The interior of the Basilica has numerous ancient mosaics and brass lanterns and is an essential piece of the Christian pilgrimage.…
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Date of experience: December 2019
1 Helpful vote
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The must see spot in Bethlehem. If you go anywhere in Palestine, make sure you come here. Said to be where Jesus was born, come to see the genesis of the Christian religion.
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Date of experience: December 2019
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The Weak Knee Traveler wrote a review Nov 2020
Singapore, Singapore11,794 contributions663 helpful votes
+1
This is another pilgrimage site. The church is dated back to the 4th century and is said to be built above the cave where Jesus was born. A must visit.
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Date of experience: December 2019
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Expect to wait in line to get down to the area where the "manager" area supposed birth place of Jesus. Like the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, more than one Christian denomination share ownership. It is also a active "functioning" church with multiple services which can delay when you get into the area. In February, it was 1 to 1 1/2 hours wait. If you have difficulties standing for long periods of time and or difficulties with stairs, you may want to skip this. These buildings where built a long time before places were designed with the disabled person in mind. Also the manger area is small and cramp, so if you struggle with crowds or claustrophobia I would not recommend this site. Also do not expect to spend very much time in that small area, with so many trying to get in to see it, you are most likely getting pictures to view later. (In and Out). That being said, it is still a must see for pilgrims. Most of the sites consider Holy or sacred have a church over them. It became obvious after several stops in our tour. I had a unique experience there. Our tour guide made arrangements for a couple people on our tour who were having mobility issues (could not stand for long periods of time) to go through the back way and down (the out exit) for a view and out where they could rest. My room mate was one of those persons, the other we found opted to stay on the bus. So I went with her. She was reluctant to go, when she saw the stairs with no rails, but between the guide and I we got her down. There was a tour group there and it hot (in February) and felt chaotic. Then suddenly we were there alone with an exception of a priest on the side. I could see on the entrance way in, feet and an arm keeping them back (I think to keep from descending until the other tour cleared out.) So for a few moments (it felt longer) we had this place to ourselves. That to me was an amazing gift and a rarity for modern pilgrims. We did not stay long, so others could tours could get it. But I am still in awe of that. Our guide retrieved us and got us to a cafe to wait out the rest of the group. I am glad of the experience, which is why I rated it Excellent.…
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Date of experience: February 2020
1 Helpful vote
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