The
Church of the Nativity |
The
Church of the Nativity is the oldest Church in the Holy
Land still in use. The first Church was built over the Grotto
of the Nativity in the 4th century A.D under the patronage
of the Roman Emperor Constantine’s mother Helena.
Then in the 6th century the Byzantine Emperor Justinian
built a new and even more elaborate church here. In the
7th century when the Persians invaded the Holy Land, they
destroyed all the Christian churches they found except for
this one. In the 11th century the crusader renovated the
Church and soon many pilgrims flocked here to worship. When
visiting the Basilica you will also see the Basilica of
St. Catherine built on the foundations of a Crusader Church
erected in the 12th century. Also outside St. Catherine’s
Basilica is the Cloister of St. Jerome, who is probably
best known for translating the bible into Latin |
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Tel
# 02-274-2425
Opening Hours: Summer Winter
06:30-19:30 05:30-17:00
Capacity
for groups: Seated Total
- St. Catherine 500
- St. Joseph 75 90
- St. Jerome 40 50
- Manger 0 50
- St. Helen 50 50 |
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| The
Milk Grotto |
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As
tradition has it, the Milk Grotto is where Mary hid and nursed
baby Jesus before her escape to Egypt. It is believed that
some of Mary’s milk trickled down turning the rock white. |
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Tel
# 02-274-3867
Opening Hours Summer Winter
08:00 - 12:00 08:00 - 12:00
14:00 – 19:30 14:00 - 17:00
Capacity
for Groups:Seated Total 100 150
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| Shepherd's
Field |
While
in Bethlehem, it is worth while visiting the Shepherd’s
Field. Located 2 km east of Bethlehem in the town of Beit
Sahour, Shepherd's Field is the site where the Angel of
the Lord appeared before the Shepherd's bringing good tidings
of the birth of Jesus.
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Capacity
for Groups: Seated Total
- The Big Grotto ( I Grotto) 120 120
- Grotta “IN EXCELSIS” ( II ) 45 45
- Cloister of IV century ( III ) 100 200
- The Monastery ( IV ) 100 200
- Grotta – Manger ( V ) 50 50
- Amphitheatre ( VI ) 50 50
- Angels Chapel 50 130 |
Tel
# 02-277-2413
Opening Hours Summer Winter
08:00 - 12:00 08:00 - 12:00
14:00 – 19:30 14:00 - 17:00 |
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| St.
Theodosius Monastery |
Only
12 km east of Bethlehem, you can find the Monastery of St.
Theodosius founded by St. Theodosius in the 5th century. The
crypt of the monastery is said to be the place where the Three
Wise Men stayed on their way to the Holy Manger. |
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| Mar
Saba Monastery |
Located just 15 km east
of Bethlehem, is the beautiful Mar Saba Monastery built into
the rock overlooking the Kidron Valley. The Monastery was
founded by St. Saba in the 5th century and still preserves
a way of life unchanged since the time of Constantine. The
Greek Orthodox Monastery is still active and does not allow
women to enter. Its exterior is by far one of the most impressive
and fascinating in the Holy land. |
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| Solomon’s
Pools |
Located a mere 4 km south
of Bethlehem, you can visit the Solomon’s Pools which
although tradition attributes these 3 rectangular reservoirs
of stone and masonry to King Solomon, these pools almost certainly
date back as far as Herod. Also near the pools you can find
Qalat al Burak, an ottoman fortress dating back to the 17th
century. |
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| Artas |
Located south
of Bethlehem, and derived from the Latin word Hordus meaning
Paradise, Artas offers many ruins such as a Crusader convent,
the foundations of the Crusader church an arab fortress and
many other Byzantine, Crusadr and Islamic ruins. |
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| Herodion
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Only
6 km southeast of Bethlehem lies the ancient fortress of Herodion.
Built near the end of the 1st Century B.C by Herod the Great,
the site includes the remains of a huge palace containing
remains of a garden surrounded by columns, monumental buildings,
storage buildings, a pool and a bathhouse. Also from Herodion
one can also have a beautiful panoramic view of the town of
Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Although Herod died in Jericho ,
he was buried in Herodion. |
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| Crib
of the Nativity Theatre & Museum |
When
in Bethlehem, you cannot miss out on this Beautiful and innovative
Theatre and Show. The Theatre and Museum offer visitors wonderful
entertainment and a great experience.
The Museum offers visitors 31 magnificent 3 dimensional models
which take the visitor on a trip across time and space starting
with the Creation and highlighting the significant stages
of Jesus’ life.
The Theatre offers a wonderful animated show , about 17 minutes.
The Exhibition captures the imagination and work of some of
the most famous artists in the world as they try to depict
the envision the miraculous birth of Jesus through the eyes
of their various nations.
Tel
# 02-276-0876
Fax # 02-276- 0877
Email: crib@p-ol.com
Address: Ya hala complex – Manger Square Bethlehem
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| Badd
Giacaman Museum |
Located in
the center of the old town of Bethlehem, just a few minutes
walk from the Nativity Church is the Al Bad Museum for Olive
Oil production. The building which houses the museum dates
back as far as the 18-19th century. The restoration and rehabilitation
of the site took place in 1998-2000 by the Department of Antiquities
and in coordination with the UNDP and the Greek Orthodox Society.
The museum itself houses many ethnographic and archeological
artifacts featuring the entire process of oil production.
Furthermore, the exhibit also shows the many uses for oil
such as lamps, medicine, food, soap and even cosmetics. |
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| Baituna
al Talhami Museum |
While
in Bethlehem, you cannot miss out on the Bethlehem Museum
or the Baituna al Talhami Museum. Founded in 1972, the museum
offers guest a true taste of Bethlehem traditions. Walk through
an old home, see the traditional wedding attire, all purpose
dress of the day. Many various designs of old embroidery,
jewelry, Jacquets and more.
Also see the traditional kitchen , the (Rawye’) where
domestic animals lived, the El Dar the principle room of traditional
houses.
Anyone interested in cultural heritage cannot come to Bethlehem
and miss out on this museum.
Tel
# 02-274-2453
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday
10-12 a.m. & 14H30-17H00 pm.
Entrance fee: US 1$ per person
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| The
International Museum of Nativity |
The
Museum was commissioned by UNESCO under the direction of
Dr. Alfredo Troisi. The International Museum of the Nativity
was created to show works of high artistic quality an evocative
atmosphere. The building of the Salesian Institute which
is the center of the Museum, is particularly suitable for
this exhibition. The true climate and a significant spiritual
experience created by the place, sounds, lights and multimedia
increase the impact of the works exhibited from all over
the world.
Tel
# 02-274-7825
Fax # 02-274-7163
Opening Hours: Daily from 09:00 – 17:00.
July, August, September 09:00 – 18:00
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| Walking
in the Old Town of Bethlehem |
When
in Bethlehem, you must get your hands on this brochure; Walking
in the Old Town of Bethlehem. It can be found in most hotels
and at the Ministry of Tourism or the Bethlehem 2000 office.
The brochure outlines 4 different walking tours throughout
Bethlehem.
a. Bethlehem Heritage: (30 minutes)
(Madbasseh Square, Christmas Church, Dar Al Nadwa Center,
City Market, Syriac Orthodox Church, Old Bethlehem Home Museum,
Mosque of Omar, Manger Square, Nativity Church)
b. Discover
Bethlehem (2-3 hours)
Manger Square, Nativity Church, Old Bethlehem Home Museum,
Al-Manar Square, Dar Mansour , Salesian Church & Convent,
Nativity Museum, Christmas Church, Dar Al Nadwa Cultural
Center, City Market, Olive Press Museum, Dar Talamas, Al-Ain
spring, Harat Al – Antarah, Milk Grotto.
c. Patriarch’s
Route (30 minutes)
Star Street, Salestian Church & Convent, Nativity Museum,
Greek Orthodox Church, Old Gate “Qoos aas Zarara”,
Hosh Siryan, Dar Mansour, The Old Bethlehem Home Museum,
Mosque of Omar, Manger Square, Nativity Church)
d. The
Quarters of Bethlehem (30 minutes)
(Madbasseh Square, Christmas Church, Dar Al Nadw Cultural
Center, Qoos Al- Abid, City Market, Olive Press and Museum,
Mosque of Omar, Manger Square, Nativty Church)
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| Palestinian
Heritage Center |
The
Palestinian Heritage Center (PHC) was established in 1991
in Bethlehem by Mrs. Maha Saca. The main objectives of the
center are the preservation and promotion of Palestinian
folklore heritage as well as the art of embroidery. To promote
the Palestinian culture to young Palestinian as well as
tourists and visitors. The center offers many services to
its guests such as, the exhibition of traditional costumes
and jewelry, the Bedouin Tent, a Palestinian living room,
a photo gallery, small cultural library, a gift shop, a
photo shoot, lectures, dress rentals, and more.
Telfax:
02-274-2642
Work: 02-274-2381
Opening hours: Daily from 09:00-14:00 & 16:00-21:00
P.O.Box: 146 Bethlehem , Palestine
e-mail: sacar@planet.edu
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| International
Center of Bethlehem |
Established
in 1995, the ICB is directly involved in many projects and
programs such as intensive guide training programs, language
training programs, women’s studies, arts, crafts and
music.
The design of the center, its facilities and equipment tell
a story of successful integration between tradition and modernity.
The facilities of the Center include:
a. 2 lecture rooms with audio visual equipment
b. 2 open air courtyards
c. The “Cave” for informal meetings
d. Gift shop including an art gallery
e. Guest house
f. Auditorium
g. Church for meditation and Sunday Services.
Tel # 02-277-0047
Fax# 02-277-0046
e-mail: annadwa@planet.edu
www.annadwa.org |
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| The
Folklore Museum of Beit Sahour |
With
the support of the municipality of Beit Sahour, the Museum
was founded in 1991 by the citizens of the town. The museum
has a great collection depicting the cultural heritage of
the country, its daily life styles traditions and costumes.
Besides tradition dress, the museum also houses many objects
and instruments that were used in preparing food, coffee etc…
Emphasizing the peasants life, the museum also has an exhibition
of a traditional wedding ceremony with all the accessories
and shows the various collection of costumes from the many
various parts pf Palestine.
Finally, the museum also has its own folklore group which
holds outdoor festivals including dancing.
Tel # 02-647-3666
P.O.Box 56
Beit Sahour
Opening
Hours: Monday – Saturday
08H00 – 13H00
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| Cultural
Heritage Preservation |
The center
for Cultural Heritage Preservation was founded in March 2001
with the mission of providing a sustainable mechanism for
the protection and management of cultural heritage in Bethlehem
and to raise /enhance awareness of cultural heritage in the
public conscience.
The building which houses the center dates back to 1912
which makes it one of the oldest thoroughfares in the Bethlehem
city core. The building was rehabilitated and restored by
the Bethlehem 2000 project with the support of the French
Government.
The center is also involved in policy reform, building
and fostering community awareness, fostering international
contacts and cooperation, research and documentation and
management of conservation and rehabilitation projects.
For more information about the center please contact:
Tel # 02-276-6244
Fax # 02-276-6241
e-mail: info@bethlehem2000.org
www.bethlehem2000.org
P.O.Box 2000
Bethlehem , Palestine
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