Bethlehem, Where Christmas Began
The Church of the Nativity, Manger Square and the pilgrim road.
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The Church of the Nativity stands over the grotto where tradition places the birth of Jesus, and it is regarded as one of the oldest churches in the world still in use. Together with the pilgrim road, Star Street, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012. On Christmas Eve the Latin Patriarch walks in procession down Star Street to Manger Square and celebrates Midnight Mass in St Catherine's Church next door. The walk is short, but the queue down to the grotto can be long. Check official travel advice before you go.
The stops
- 1
Lutheran Christmas Church
The “Christmas Church” has held services since 1893.
- 2
Star Street
The old pilgrim road that, according to tradition, Joseph and Mary walked. The Patriarch walks here on Christmas Eve.
- 3
Manger Square
The town's Christmas tree stands here in December, between the Church of the Nativity and the Mosque of Omar.
- 4
Church of the Nativity
The Grotto of the Nativity lies beneath the church. Midnight Mass is held in St Catherine's Church next door.
- 5
Milk Grotto
A Franciscan chapel over the grotto where, according to tradition, the Holy Family hid before the flight to Egypt.
About the trip
- Where
- Bethlehem
- Getting around
- On foot
- Time
- 1 h 54 min
- Distance
- 1.2 km
- Stops
- 5
- Themes
- History
Practical
- Start
- The Lutheran Christmas Church on Paul VI Street, by bus from East Jerusalem.
- Finish
- The Milk Grotto, 200 metres from Manger Square.
- Toilets
- In the Peace Center on Manger Square and in restaurants around the square.
- Accessibility
- Star Street and the surrounding lanes slope and have steps. The entrance to the Church of the Nativity is a low door, and the grotto is reached by stairs, so it is not wheelchair accessible.