https://nz.trip.com/moments/detail/bethlehem-1444770-131416924?locale=en-NZ
Kerry0912Taiwan, China
levelIconRising Star

Churches in Palestine (Birthplace of Jesus - Bethlehem)

🇵🇸-3 Opposite the #Damascus Gate in #Jerusalem, I boarded the No. 231 Arab bus heading for #Bethlehem in #Palestine. Although it is only a short 50-minute drive, it may be a lifetime for the people of both countries. The first stop in Bethlehem is Manger Square, famous for being the birthplace of Jesus. The Church of Nativity located in Manger Square may be one of the oldest existing churches in the world. It was built by Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great. It is currently managed by the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, and the Armenian Orthodox Church in accordance with the "maintain the status quo" policy. So the whole feeling of the church is quite different from other churches I have been to, especially in terms of decoration, furnishings, and even the way of praying. Then we went to the Milk Grotto Church, which was built in 1872. The same place was a Byzantine church in the 5th century, so you can still see traces of that time. Here, I met an old man who enthusiastically explained to me the story of this church. According to legend, when Mary was breastfeeding, her milk dripped down and dyed the entire cave white... So he said that many couples would come to this cave to soak the white powder in water and drink it in order to pray for offspring. Later on, it became a cure for all kinds of diseases. The whole of Bethlehem makes me feel that it is a place where you can get a lot, and there are really few tourists at the moment. So when I was looking for information, I found that the birthplace that might have required an hour-long queue to visit was now completely deserted, just as I mentioned before, with 2-30 tourists a day (🙋🏽♂️1/30). On the way back to Jerusalem from Bethlehem, we passed several checkpoints for routine inspections. But in wartime, I feel that the border is full of tension, especially now, I have heard that Israel is about to go to war with Hezbollah in #Lebanon. Although the city is relatively peaceful, there are obviously more people with guns on the road (@ee.yiyi said that this is because of the Hamas attack in 2023, so the number of people applying for gun licenses has increased). We earnestly hope that the two countries can move towards peace in a better direction and coexist peacefully like the Church of the Nativity and the Omar Mosque on Manger Square.
View original text
󰴉In your selected region or language, selecting this Trip Moment's hashtags won't redirect you to the hashtag page
*This content is provided by our partner and translated by AI
Posted: Apr 23, 2025
ayanatsu77772
Kerry0912
2 people found this moment helpful
Submit
2
Mentioned in this post
Attraction

Israeli Barrier

4.5/531 reviews
Bethlehem
Details
Show more
Related Trip Moments
Israeli Barrier

Bethlehem, located in the West Bank of Palestine, is a city with a rich history and many cultural and religious attractions. Here are some things to do in Bethlehem, Palestine ✨Visit the Church of the Nativity: This ancient church, built over the site where Jesus is believed to have been born, is one of the most important religious sites in the world. It features stunning mosaics, frescoes, and ancient artefacts. ✨Walk through Manger Square: This central square in Bethlehem is home to several important religious and cultural landmarks, including the Church of the Nativity, the Mosque of Omar, and the Palestinian Heritage Center. ✨Explore the Old City: The old city of Bethlehem features narrow streets and alleys lined with traditional stone houses and shops selling handmade crafts and souvenirs. ✨Visit the Milk Grotto: This small chapel, located near the Church of the Nativity, is believed to be the site where the Holy Family sought refuge during the Massacre of the Innocents. It is also said to have healing powers for infertility. ✨See the Separation Wall: This controversial wall, built by Israel in the early 2000s, divides Bethlehem from nearby Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank. Visitors can see the wall up close and learn about its impact on the local community. #passionpassport#2023travelwish

travelwithlaunaty
Manger Square

The Tragic City Behind the Iron Wall - Bethlehem

旅策谷 Flyplan
Israeli Barrier

Israeli-Palestinian separation wall | May the world have peace

Youran.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Church tour in Jerusalem, Israel

Kerry0912
Rachel's Tomb

Love on the Palestinian Separation Wall

Kerry0912
Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

potatogal
poi-tag-icon
Bethlehem

A City of Faith and Warm Hospitality in Bethlehem

Dinda.Pratiwi
Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Jerusalem, Israel

moment of pleasure
Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Jerusalem @ Israel

MadamLay 1999
Old City

🏛️ Jerusalem – A City of History and Soul ✨🕊️

Simii017
Old City

🌆 Jerusalem – Timeless City of Culture & Faith 🕊️✨

Simii017
Brown Machne Yehuda

😊✨ Day Trip from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by Bus 🚌🏙️

Yana Berg