Things to see and do Palestinian Territories

The imposing Basilica of the Nativity is one of the oldest churches in the world. It was built in 339 on the orders of Constantine, the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. It stands on the site of the grotto where Mary is said to have given birth to the Christ Child, hence its name. For centuries, Christians from all over the world have converged on Bethlehem in the run-up to Christmas. The site marks both the beginnings of Christianity and one of the most sacred sites in Christendom.

After being severely damaged during the Samaritan revolt, the building was rebuilt in 540 by the Emperor Justinian. Like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, this one is shared by the different Christian denominations (Orthodox, Catholic and Armenian).

The church is entered through a small doorway, only 1.30 m high, known as the "Door of Humility". Inside, very little of the original or medieval decoration remains. Fragments of Byzantine mosaics dating back to the ^12th century are still visible on the upper walls of the nave. Over the centuries, a new pavement was laid over the ^6th-century mosaic floor, which is now visible through wooden trapdoors in the church's central wing. On either side of the choir, staircases lead up to the Nativity grotto. Once classified as an "endangered heritage site" by the United Nations, the basilica has undergone extensive restoration work to improve the stability and waterproofing of the roof, and to safeguard the Byzantine nave and its splendid mosaics. Today, the basilica is no longer in danger.

Grotto of the Nativity. Here, pilgrims kneel to kiss the spot where the manger containing the Infant Jesus would have been, marked by a 14-pointed silver star. The number fourteen corresponds to the number of generations between Adam and Abraham. On one side of the grotto, the Crib chapel illustrates the Nativity. Opposite, another chapel celebrates the Magi. The history of the grotto has been rather eventful. In 1847, the star was stolen. The three Christian communities (Orthodox, Armenian, Catholic) who had always disputed ownership of the grotto accused each other of theft. The star was replaced by a copy, but the quarrels continued.

A trip to the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St George is worthwhile if only for the spectacular scenery you'll encounter along the way. This^5th century monastery was built into the cliffside in Wadi Al-Qilt because of the biblical significance of the area. It is said to be on the route that Jesus took from Jerusalem to the Jordan Valley. It is not far from here that he is said to have spoken his parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrating his definition of "love of neighbour". Wadi Al-Qilt could be the "valley of the shadow" referred to in Psalm 23 of the Bible. The founders of the monastery also believed that it was in one of the nearby caves that the prophet Elisha was fed by ravens (Book of Kings I 17:5-6). Finally, it is in one of these caves that Joachim, the father of the Virgin, would have received the visit of an angel announcing the coming of a child, in spite of the sterility of his wife.

The caves of Wadi Al Qilt were occupied by hermits who came to pray and meditate even before the monastery was built. In the^5th century, the Egyptian monk Saint John of Thebes, accompanied by Syrian hermits, founded a monastery there. The monastery was sacked by the Persians, who killed the 14 resident monks. In 1179, the Crusaders attempted to rebuild the monastery, but were driven out before they could complete their work. In 1878, a Greek monk named Kalinikos began to rebuild it. The work was completed in 1901. The bell tower was added in 1950.