Sights in The West Bank & Gaza Strip
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Church of the Nativity
Even without conjuring anything resembling the manger scene, the Church of the Nativity is an imposing marker for the birthplace of Jesus. Also called the Basilica of the Nativity, it's the oldest continuously operating church. It was commissioned in 326 by Constantine, with his mother Helena Augusta as head contractor and the bishop of Jerusalem in charge, forever ending the use of the site for the pagan worship of Adonis.
Renovations throughout the centuries included a new floor, beneath which lies the 4th-century mosaic floor discovered in 1934. After bowing through the Ottoman-era Door of Humility (most likely built so short to prevent soldiers on horses from entering…
reviewed
-
Rachel's Tomb
In a desolate corridor near the entrance to town is Rachel's Tomb . Another Bethlehem sojourner in labour, Rachel is said to have died here in childbirth, on the way south to Hebron. Her husband Jacob 'set a pillar upon her grave' (Genesis 35:20). Revered by followers of all three Abrahamic religions (Jews and Muslims in particular), the place has been enshrined and guarded for centuries, from the Byzantine and Islamic eras to the Crusaders, Ottomans and Israelis.
Located near the former checkpoint to Bethlehem from Jerusalem, the tomb complex was flanked by businesses that now stand defunct due to the construction of the 8m-high wall effectively annexing the once-autonom…
reviewed
-
Manger Square & the Old City
The energy on Manger Sq and in the Old City on Christmas Eve is positively electric. But the narrow limestone streets and exotic storefronts are a year-round draw. Even if you're not a churchgoer, on a Sunday morning sneak a peek at an array of Christian denominations celebrating in the place where so much started. Most in attendance are Palestinians, but respectful visitors are welcome to attend or stop in for a few moments of contemplation.
Set out at 09:00 at the Lutheran Christmas Church on Pope Paul VI St. Then head toward Manger Sq to St Mary's Syrian Orthodox Church where services are said in a dialect of Aramaic. Descend the stairs to Manger Sq and enter the Churc…
reviewed
-
B
Mosque of Omar
On Manger Sq, opposite the church, is the Mosque of Omar , named after the 2nd caliph, Omar Ibn al-Khattab. It was built in 1860 on land granted by the Greek Orthodox Church in honour of the Prophet Muhammad's father-in-law, who in 637 took Jerusalem from the flagging Byzantines and then prayed in the Church of the Nativity. Having declared the region sacred in compliance with the Quran, al-Khattab realised his followers would want to enshrine that spot as a Muslim holy site.
In order to keep the Christian site intact, he instituted the Pact of Omar preventing Muslim prayer assemblies at the church. Only individuals were allowed to pray there.
reviewed
-
C
Gold Market
The narrow covered Gold Market passage, running alongside the southern edge of the Great Mosque, was built in AD 1476 by prominent Gazan judge, Sheikh Shams al-Din-al-Himsi, and originally formed part of a much bigger covered market. The rest of the market was destroyed during WWI, but today this short passageway is still the place where all spouses-to-be come to pick out jewellery.
Sadly, due to recent food shortages in Gaza, the gold market has also started to play host to elderly Gazans, selling off family heirlooms in the hope of raising some sorely needed extra cash.
reviewed
-
D
Mosque of Said Hashim
Situated in Gaza's Daraj quarter, the popular Mosque of Said Hashim was built in 1850 under orders from Ottoman Sultan Abdul Majeed, using masonry from mosques and older buildings destroyed by Napoleon's troops. Its name refers to the Prophet Mohammed's great-grandfather, Hashim, a prominent merchant who died as he was passing through Gaza, and whose tomb rests in the mosque's northwestern corner.
This is one of Gaza's biggest and most attractive mosques, and, like the Great Mosque, you should be able to look in when there's no prayer in session.
reviewed
-
E
Hammam al-Samara
The last remaining of five bathhouses in Gaza City, Hammam al-Samara is a gorgeous Mamluk-era bathhouse dating back even beyond the 14th century, when, according to a plaque in the lobby, it was restored by the governor Sangar ibn Abdullah. It has managed to retain its vaulted ceilings and inlaid marble tiled floors, and is still heated by a series of wood-fired ovens and aqueducts.
Because of ongoing restoration work, opening times may change, but if open, it's a great place for a leisurely steam-clean with the locals.
reviewed
-
F
Arts & Crafts Village
A beautiful white-painted adobe complex, the Arts & Crafts Village is where traditional Palestinian handicrafts, such as weaving, embroidery, copper work and woodwork, are kept alive. The village runs training courses and summer camps for children and workshops for adults, and regularly hosts local and international exhibitions. Its Abu Nawwas restaurant makes a pleasant place for a laid-back lunch accompanied by a bubbling nargileh.
reviewed
-
G
St Catherine's Church
Midnight Mass at the newer, pink-toned St Catherine's Church is broadcast around the world on Christmas Eve. Accessed through the Church of the Nativity or from its front, you should first wander through the Crusader-era Franciscan cloister with a statue of St Jerome. Yasser Arafat and an entourage of notables, including his Christian wife, attended midnight Mass each year until the second intifada broke out.
reviewed
-
H
Milk Grotto Chapel
A lesser-known house of worship, a short walk off Manger Sq, is the Milk Grotto Chapel . The white rock inside this stony chapel is said to bring milk to a mother's bosom and enhance fertility in women swallowing a morsel of the chalky substance. Legend has it that Mary and Joseph stopped here with the baby Jesus for a feeding, and some milk dripped onto the red rock turning it white.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
Great Mosque
Also known as Al-Omari Mosque or Jama'a al-Akbar, Palestinian tradition relates that the Great Mosque was built on the site of the biblical Temple of Dagon, which Sampson pulled down on the faithful Philistines and himself. Subsequently, a number of other religious buildings were built on the same spot, including a 12th-century Crusader church dedicated to St John the Baptist.
reviewed
-
J
Cave
In the International Center of Bethlehem (natives know the centre as Dar Annadwa) is housed the Cave which has extended hours for exhibits. Watch artisans at work through large windows, then go into the gallery/gift shop and bookstore. Don't miss how it gets its name - an ancient cave-dwelling on the lower level.
reviewed
-
Manger Sq
The city's centerpiece, Manger Sq is also the hub of services - both religious and logistical. It has a post office, ATM and Open Bethlehem (x277 7993; www.openbethlehem.org; Manger Sq) - for its services.
reviewed
-
K
Old Bethlehem Museum
Old Bethlehem Museum will transport you through time to a typical Palestinian home of the 19th century. See native costumes; purchase embroidery produced by the Arab Women's Union.
reviewed
-
L
Crib Museum
The nativity-scene spectacle at the Crib Museum is a short walk off Manger Sq.
reviewed
