Birthplace of Jesus Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route Israel

Birthplace of Jesus Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem is situated 10km south of Jerusalem on the site identified by Christian tradition as the birthplace of Jesus since the 2nd century. A church was first completed there in 339 A.D. and the edifice that replaced it after a fire in the 6th century retains elaborate floor mosaics from the original edifice. The site also includes Latin, Greek Orthodox, Franciscan and Armenian convents and churches, as well as bell towers, terraced gardens and a pilgrimage route. The church was originally commissioned in 327 CE by Constantine and his mother Helena over the site that is still traditionally considered to be located over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth. The Church of the Nativity site's original basilica was completed in 339 CE and destroyed by fire during the Samaritan Revolts in the sixth century CE. A new basilica was built 565 CE by the Byzantine Empire, restoring the architectural tone of the original.

Nativity Church
Continent: Asia
Country: Israel (Palestine)
Category: Danger List Site
Criterion: (IV)(VI)
Date of Inscription: 2012

The Church of the Nativity UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Church of the Nativity is a basilica located in Bethlehem, Palestine, and is considered to be the oldest continuously operating Christian church in the world. The site of the Church of the Nativity has had numerous additions since this second construction, including its prominent bell towers. Due to its cultural and geographical history, the site holds a prominent religious significance to those of both the Christian and Muslim faiths. The site of the Church of the Nativity is a World Heritage Site, and was the first to be listed under Palestine by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Nativity Church Heritage
The Church of Nativity inside view

Browse Gallery Plus UNESCO Storyline

Under danger listed by UNESCO

In 2012, the church complex became the first Palestinian site to be listed as a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session on 29 June. It was approved by a secret vote of 13-6 in the 21-member committee, according to UNESCO spokeswoman Sue Williams, and following an emergency candidacy procedure that by-passed the 18-month process for most sites, despite the opposition of the United States and Israel. The site was approved under criteria four and six. The decision was a controversial one on both technical and political terms. It has also been placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger as it is suffering from damages due to water leaks.

Slideshow for this Heritage Site


Browse All UNESCO World Heritage Sites in . The original UNESCO inscription Here!!!

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