A few miles south of Jerusalem lies the city of Bethlehem. Christians around the world know it as a little town where Jesus Christ was born. Still small, Bethlehem has retained a friendly atmosphere and is host to thousands of tourists each year. Many sacred Christian sites, churches, and monasteries are located in the city.
A major attraction is the Church of the Nativity at Manger Square, built over the cave where Jesus Christ was born. The adjoining Church of St. Catherine possesses marvelous wood carvings of the stations of the Cross.
Just a few minutes walk from Manger Square is the Chapel of the Milk Grotto, where the Holy Family took refuge on their way to Egypt and where Mary fed the infant Jesus. This also is the red rock, which is now darked by age, turned to chalky white after a drop of Mary's milk fell to the ground. The Milk Grotto is a serene Chapel adorned with images of the Madonna and Child.
Beit Sahour is located to the southeast of Bethlehem. It is the scene of the fields of olives, well known as The Shepherd's Field, the place where the angel announced to the shepherds the birth of Jesus. There are two points of interest here: a Franciscan Chapel and a Greek Orthodox Chruch that was built over a cave in the fifth century. There are also some exceptionally old olive trees in the field.
The Herodion, in the hills south of Bethlehem, is one of the many spectacular sites worthy of a visitor's special attention. The view from the top of this strategic fortress built by Herod the Great affords a panorama towards Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Although he died in Jericho, Herod was buried here.
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