Entrance

View looking east at the entrance to the Church of the Nativity.

There are actually the remnants of three entrances visible in this image. Note the partially visible horizontal lintel of an ancient doorway just above the center of the image. This lintel is from the church constructed by Justinian in the sixth century. The massive door is filled in with stones. Below the horizontal lintel note the arched doorway that is from the medieval period.

Below the arched doorway is the very low open door way. This opening dates to the middle of the second millennium. It was purposely made low to prevent thieves and others from entering the church by horse back or with carts!

For a closer view of the entrance Click Here.

For a map and brief description of Bethlehem Click Here.