Page 29 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Israel & Petra

Bethlehem ❮❮ 27

CHRISTMAS IN
BETHLEHEM
Christmas Eve in
Manger Square is an
emotional experience,
with Roman Catholic
Midnight Mass from
St. Catherine’s Church
being broadcast around
the world. With all the
denominations present
in the Holy Land,
Christmas celebrations
St. Catherine’s
Solomon’s
4 7 stretch over a long
period. Festivities can
Pools
Church
The Franciscans built These reservoirs, 3 miles be enjoyed during the
run-up, and Orthodox
this church in 1882 on (5 km) southwest of masses last until
the site of a 5th-century Bethlehem, supplied January 18. Details are
monastery associated water to Jerusalem from available at the Christian
with St. Jerome. His Herod’s time until the Information Centre by
statue is located in the 20th century. The small Jerusalem’s Jaffa Gate.
cloisters (above). fort near the upper pool
was built by the Ottoman
Palestinian
Rachel’s Tomb Sultan Osman II in the
5 9
Heritage
The small tomb of early 17th century.
Rachel, Jacob’s wife, is Center
always busy with women Visitors can explore a
who come to pray for reconstructed Bedouin
fertility. Cut off from tent and a Palestinian
Bethlehem by the living room at this
separation wall, center. There is a gift
this is Judaism’s shop on site that sells
third holiest site. embroidery created
by local women.
Old Market
6 Manger
The atmospheric
Square
souk (market) sells 0
traditional olive-wood Dominated by the
carvings. The Baituna walls of the Church
Al-Talhami Museum of the Nativity and
here sells gifts and the 1860 Mosque
embroidery made by the of Omar, Manger
The Milk
Arab Women’s Union. 8 Square (below) is
Grotto
A Swedish-built
Bethlehem Tradition has it that this the hub of the town.
5 cave sheltered the Holy Peace Center has
9 Family (above) during visitor information.
JER USALEM HEBRON RD MANGER K ARKAFAH the Massacre of the
Innocents, and that
a drop of Mary’s milk
MAN GE R 2 miles fell here as she nursed
7 CHILDREN (3 km) Jesus. A chapel stands
at the spot today, its
1
3 miles
(5 km) 4 walls covered with
8 numerous testi monials
to the site’s power to
6 0 3 help women conceive.
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