E44OM Team planning to be active from Bethlehem, Palestine in September 2025.
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Bethlehem
Once upon a time, a boy was born in this city. And this event predetermined the fate of Bethlehem for many centuries. For two thousand years now, thousands of pilgrims have been flocking here every day to see with their own eyes the place where the Savior came to earth.
Bethlehem is also a sacred place for Jews. It was in this city that David was anointed king. Many other important biblical events are also connected with Bethlehem.
An ancient city with a complicated history
The city of Bethlehem is one of the oldest on earth. It was founded around the 17th century BC. It was once inhabited by Jews and Canaanites, then ruled by pagan Romans. Later, the city was taken over by Muslims. A crusade was organized to liberate the Holy Land from infidels, and in 1291, Bethlehem became part of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Then, in 1517, the city of Christmas was recaptured by Muslims, and Bethlehem became part of the Ottoman Empire. Since 1995, the city has belonged to the Palestinian Authority.
Bethlehem is only eight kilometers from Jerusalem, but to get there, you have to cross the Israeli-Palestinian border. Tourists are allowed to enter freely, but Israelis are prohibited from entering Palestinian territory. Even tour guides for tourists are invited from among the Palestinians, while Israeli guides remain at the border to wait for their groups.
Bethlehem, Palestine. Author - lancastrian1.
Three Christmases in one city
The main attraction of Bethlehem is, of course, the Basilica of the Nativity, built over the cave where Jesus was born. This structure was erected in 326, but in the sixth century, the first basilica was destroyed by fire.
It was restored and significantly expanded in 526. Externally, the temple resembles a rough stone fortress, and it is the only building in Palestine that has remained unchanged since the pre-Islamic period.
Christmas is one of the main holidays for Christians of all denominations, and for each of them, Bethlehem is one of the most important holy sites. Therefore, the holiday is celebrated three times in the city: on December 25 by Catholics and Protestants, on January 6 by the Armenian Church, and on January 7 by Orthodox denominations.
Bethlehem, Palestine. Author - sambot.
The Holy Caves of Bethlehem
In addition to the Cave of the Nativity, Bethlehem has other sites revered by believers of various faiths. Pilgrims visit Rachel's Tomb, the Cave of the Holy Innocents, who were killed on the orders of King Herod, the Cave of St. Jerome, and the Milk Grotto.
The Cave of the Holy Innocents is part of the underground burial system of Bethlehem, located near Manger Square. The cave has a small underground church built in the fourth century. It is the oldest surviving church in the city.
Jerome's Cave is where the great saint, who compiled and translated the Holy Scriptures into Latin, spent the last 33 years of his life and was buried. Jerome is considered the patron saint of all translators. The cave can only be accessed through the Church of St. Catherine, built in 1881 on the site of a Byzantine monastery.
The Milk Grotto in Bethlehem can be accessed from the Catholic church on Yasnaya Square. According to legend, it was in this cave that the Holy Family hid from King Herod before fleeing to Egypt. The walls of the cave are an unusual white color, which, according to legend, came about because Mary spilled a few drops of milk while feeding the Baby, and the stone turned milky white.
Muslim Bethlehem
Bethlehem is also home to one of the most important Muslim shrines. This is the mosque of the prophet Umar ibn al-Khattab, one of the companions of the prophet Muhammad. It is the oldest mosque in the city and a place of pilgrimage for those who wish to honor the memory of the second righteous Caliph.
What to buy and what to try
Translated from Arabic, Bethlehem means “house of meat,” and in Aramaic, “house of bread.” If you decide to have lunch in Bethlehem, you can visit any of the many restaurants.
They serve delicious lamb dishes and kebabs with vegetable side dishes. Bethlehem also has its own wine, produced by Salesian monks. You can buy Arabic sweets in local shops, and the hot white bread from the bakery is also worth trying. Often, freshly baked loaves are brought directly to tourist buses, and few can resist the delicious smell!
As for souvenirs, the selection in local shops is fairly standard. You can buy jewelry, religious souvenirs, spices, and more.
The local production of olive wood products is worth mentioning separately. There is a shop next to the factory where you can find very interesting and unusual items.
A trip to Bethlehem will be interesting not only for religious people. After all, it was in this city that the foundations of all modern European culture were laid.
