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Bethlehem

Bethlehem
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“Birthplace of Jesus: the Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage route, Bethlehem” is a major Christian pilgrimage destination and the center of the Christmas celebration. It holds the Church of the Nativity, which was built over cave that is considered to have been the birthplace of Jesus.

The designated area includes:
• The Church of the Nativity
• Latin, Greek Orthodox, Franciscan and Armenian Convents and churches
• Bell towers
• Terraced gardens
• Pilgrimage Route from Jerusalem (small portion)

Year Decision Comments
2012 Inscribed Reasons for inscription
2012Advisory Body overruledInscription after an ICOMOS "not inscribed", by a 13 to 6 majority in a secret ballot
2012In DangerInscribed on an emergency basis
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Reviews

Clyde (Malta):
Very interesting to visit is the Church of the Nativity. However, the highligh of this WHS is that so many different or closely related faiths interact with one another in the main square and use the same place to worship the same God! Apart from the WHS though, the situation in the region is very sad and I won't be visiting Israel or Palestine again before the Disgraceful Walls are demolished.
Date posted: September 2012
Tony H. (Finland):
I visited in Bethlehem in January 2011 and of course the main site there is the Church of the Nativity. When I entered the church (through very small door) there was service still going and the priests (or monks) were singing and incense was smelling strongly. Because the priests were inside of the Grotto of the Nativity their singing was echoing mysteriously around the church. Very mystic atmosphere. After the priests left somewhere through a secret door I went to see the grotto myself. Smell of incense was very strong and I had hard time breathing. I watched some time how people kissed the spot where Jesus was born and then walked around the church complex. When big Russian tourist group arrived I decided to leave the church.

As this is the most holiest place in Christianity I think it deserved the World Heritage Site status. The Church of the Nativity itself isn't really spectacular looking and also inside it's quite simple but the history is the thing that matters here.
Date posted: July 2012


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