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All 5 Bethlehem Attractions »
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Church of the Nativity

Manger Square, Bethlehem
Ranked #1 of 4 attractions in Bethlehem
4.5 of 5 stars 39 Reviews
Type: Religious Sites, Historic Sites
Owner description: Built over the Grotto of the Nativity by Constantine in 325 A.D., destroyed and rebuilt in the 6th century and renovated in the 11th century by the...... more » Owner description: Built over the Grotto of the Nativity by Constantine in 325 A.D., destroyed and rebuilt in the 6th century and renovated in the 11th century by the crusaders, this is the oldest Church in the Holy Land that is still in use. « less
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39 reviews from our community

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    5
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Date Rating
Hemel Hempstead, UK
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2012

This place is a "must see" for Christians and an important site for everyone else. It has a strong spiritual feel for me, although more of an attraction than a place of worship. Orthodox Christians have a stronger sense of religious display and ostentation than Reformed Christians so be prepared for lots of flashy decoration and demonstrative worshippers. I visited... More

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Melbourne, Australia
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

I have visited the a church of the Nativity on three separate occasions and it is a 'must see' but at the same time it is often a problem to see what is there because of the crowds of tourists. The last time I was there the tour I was with gave up without seeing the cave Jesus was born... More

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Boulder, Colorado
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2012

I realize that ruling religions have always taken over holy sites with flashy gee gaws, rules and stories. It just seems strange to me that the birthplace of someone like Jesus,is part of this. Inside of the church there is a respectful, quiet atmosphere,and I understand that some kind of edifice is necessary, I just wish it could have been... More

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See 2 more reviews by Miriahm D for Bethlehem
Delray Beach, Florida
Top Contributor
82 reviews 82 reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
37 helpful votes 37 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 April 2012

visiting the reputed birthplace of jesus christ was an emotional experience like no other. the magnificence of place is not in grandeur of decor or style but in sheer breaktaking spiritual wonder. a pilgrimage to this holiest of sites is an absolute must for any christian... More

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Blacktown, Australia
Top Contributor
204 reviews 204 reviews
Reviews in 104 cities Reviews in 104 cities
610 helpful votes 610 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 April 2012
1
person found this review helpful

This church is the mythical birthplace of the historical Jesus of Nazareth smack-bang in the middle of Palestine accessible via military check-point. This is the reality of this land, contested forever by people wanting to control it in order to control people. All the crap aside, this ancient basillica is an eye-sore but is hugely significant. Decorated in typical Orthodox... More

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Washington DC, District of Columbia
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 March 2012
1
person found this review helpful

I had sometime between appointments and visited the church which is quite well preserved and a truly interesting experience but the constant harassment from men offering their services as guides was irritating. I would also be very wary of visting during high traffic seasons as with the few tour groups that were in there at the same time as I... More

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Greer, South Carolina
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 March 2012

The place where Jesus was born, this Church was one of my favorites. I just really liked the area and aesthetics of the church. Highly recommend. More

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London
Top Contributor
128 reviews 128 reviews
Reviews in 53 cities Reviews in 53 cities
56 helpful votes 56 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 March 2012
1
person found this review helpful

well worth a visit- (interconnected churches and the cave to visit) as is the atmospheric town of bethlehem.. right next to the church is the franciscan run hotel and cafe- last week with a log fire, great atmosphere and coffee and friendly staff, as well as friendly cats and dogs! look out for the awful apartheid wall- decorated as was... More

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Stockholm, Sweden
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 March 2012
1
person found this review helpful

This church is probably not the finest ones you've seen or amazes with its architecture, but has a great importance as the birthplace (geographical) of Jesus. The Grotto displays a star on the believed birthplace of Jesus and it is usually crowded to visit this site. You will also meet a lot of guides and touts on your way to... More

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Green Bay, Wisconsin
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 January 2012

it was religously inspiring. Brought jesus closer to me. More

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See 2 more reviews by Jacky F for Bethlehem

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