Church of Nativity - Birth Place of Jesus Christ The Church of
the Nativity in the heart of Bethlehem marks one of
Christianity's most sacred sites - the birthplace of Christ.
Situated on Manger Square 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Jerusalem,
the church is built over a grotto where the Virgin Mary is said
to have given birth to Jesus. The church's large fortress-like
exterior stands as a testament to its turbulent history. For
centuries, it was one of the most fought over holy places. It
was seized and defended by a succession of armies - including
Muslim and Crusader forces. It is controlled jointly by three
Christian denominations - the Armenian Church, the Roman
Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church. - The Grotto of
the Nativity contains the manger that is believed to be the
place where the baby Jesus was laid after he was born. The
grotto is encased in white marble. - The site of the birth is
marked by a 14-point star on a marble stone. - The High Altar
standing above the Grotto. The site has been v