Experience Bethlehem (Palestine) Like a Local: 6 Hidden tourist churches and monasteries Gems to Discover
Join us on a journey to uncover Bethlehem (Palestine) ‘s best-kept secrets with our list of 6 tourist churches and monasteries. Whether you’re looking to explore 6 amazing tourist churches and monasteries or discover the most famous and best 6 tourist churches and monasteries in Bethlehem (Palestine) , we’ve got you covered. Let’s explore Bethlehem (Palestine) with our ultimate guide to 6 of the best tourist churches and monasteries, or uncover Bethlehem (Palestine) ‘s hidden tourist churches and monasteries with 6 must-visit places. Get inspired and start planning your next adventure with our comprehensive list of the best destinations in Bethlehem (Palestine) .
Information about Bethlehem (Palestine)
Located south of Jerusalem, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus and a major Christian pilgrimage destination. This Canaanite city includes many attractions that attract tourists from far and wide, as Bethlehem combines religious and archaeological monuments. Tourists will find many ancient buildings inside the old town, churches and monasteries such as the Church of the Nativity, historical castles, and museums that tell the history of the city in particular, and Palestine in general. It also includes valleys, ponds and wonderful natural springs. This is in addition to the popular markets full of antique local products. In addition to Banksy’s drawings, which are scattered around and in the famous Banksy Hotel, which combine street art and black humor in a distinctive way. All these attractions and more encourage tourists to visit again and again.
A list of the best Tourist churches and monasteries in Bethlehem
Don’t waste your time sifting through endless reviews and recommendations – let our team do the work for you. Our list of the best tourist churches and monasteries in Bethlehem (Palestine) is carefully crafted to include only the most highly-rated and well-regarded options based on visitor feedback.
1- Milk Grotto
Milk Grotto – A wonderful church a few steps away from the ancient Church of the Nativity. This church was built on the site where the Virgin Mary breastfeeded her son Christ during her escape from the soldiers of Governor Harold. It is believed that she dropped a drop of milk on the ground and a miracle occurred and the entire earth turned white. This church is considered one of the most visited places in the city, and it is visited by Christians and pilgrims from all over the world, and entry to it is free.
Place address: Milk Grotto Church, milk grotto st
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2- Mar Saba Monastery
Mar Saba Monastery – Mar Saba Monastery is the oldest monastery in the Holy Land, dating back to the fifth century AD. It is a Greek Orthodox monastery. There did not pass a period in history when it was not inhabited, as thousands of monks lived in it through the ages and centuries, and the building was taken care of during the decades, and therefore it remained as it was and nothing changed in it. It should be borne in mind that entry to the monastery is only for men and by prior appointment, and women can wait outside and enjoy the amazing architectural details of the buildings that make up this monastery.
Place address: Mar Saba Monastery
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3- Shepherds’ Field Chapel
Shepherds’ Field Chapel – The Church of the Shepherds’ Field is one of the most magnificent churches in the world despite its small size. Legend tells that the first good news of the birth of Christ was in this field and for a group of shepherds. Therefore, the church was called the Church of the Shepherds’ Field. The church was built over a cave that descends 20 degrees, and it is covered from the inside with drawings of Christ and the Virgin Mary, and there is an amazing altar.
Place address: Beit Sahour. Beit Sahour
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4- ARTAS MONASTERY
ARTAS MONASTERY – Located near Solomon’s Pools, this stunning monastery was built in 1894 by the Italian Order of Saint Joseph’s Sisters. It is believed that the valley in which this monastery was built is the place where King Solomon wrote poetry and poems for his beloved. In this monastery, there is a wonderful museum that tells the history of the village and the sieges that it passed through throughout history. There is also an educational center dedicated to the local population.
Place address: Artas, village
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5- The Church of St. Catherine
The Church of St. Catherine – This church shares a wall with the Church of the Nativity, and it is less famous than its neighbor, which is the most famous church in the world. The current building of the church was built in the nineteenth century, and it was built in the place where Christ stood before Catherine, Queen of Alexandria, and predicted her martyrdom. She was martyred shortly thereafter at the hands of the Romans, and this church was built to perpetuate her name. In the inner catacombs of this church is the tomb of St. Jerome. It is one of the landmarks that everyone should visit in Bethlehem.
Place address: Chapel of Saint Catherine, Bethlehem
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6- Church of the Nativity
Church of the Nativity – The Church of the Nativity is the oldest church in the world. After Christianity became the official religion of the Eastern Roman state during the reign of Emperor Constantine in 324 AD, his mother, Queen Helena, ordered in the year 335 AD to build the Church of the Nativity in the same place where Jesus Christ, peace be upon him, was born in the city of Bethlehem. The construction of the church ended in 339 AD, and it was built in the basilica style, which is an architectural style borrowed from Roman temples. The church includes what is known as the cave of the birth of Christ and white marble floors. The cave is decorated with fourteen silver lamps and many pictures of saints. The church is a large religious complex that represents the different Christian denominations. There is the Orthodox monastery in the southeast, the Armenian monastery in the southwest, and the Franciscan monastery in the north, which was built in 1347 AD for the followers of the Franciscan sect.
Place address: Church of Nativity, Bethlehem
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Conclusion
As your journey through Bethlehem (Palestine) comes to an end, we hope you take with you unforgettable memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. This amazing region is home to diverse landscapes, ancient cultures, and welcoming communities that have something special to offer every traveler. Our guide has provided you with the top destinations and hidden gems that make Bethlehem (Palestine) such a unique and special place. But, we encourage you to continue to explore this region on your own and uncover new adventures and treasures along the way. As you journey back home, don’t forget to reflect on the moments that made your trip so special and share your experiences with others. Remember to keep the spirit of adventure and curiosity alive in your everyday life and continue to seek out new experiences. We hope our guide has been a valuable resource in planning your trip, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels and until next time!