Where is Bethlehem: description, history, sights and interesting facts

Bethlehem is such an ancient city that historians can not determine the exact date of its foundation. They date it approximately 17-16 centuries BC. The land where Bethlehem is located belongs to the Palestinian Autonomous Region (south of Jerusalem). The city is located on the banks of the Jordan River. In the Bible he is referred to as Efrat, Beth-Lehem Yehuda. But this name, rather, refers to the whole area, which is now a modern Bethlehem.

The History of Bethlehem: The First Mention

Finding out where Bethlehem is located, in which country, one can say with confidence that in a disputed territory. This part of the world is claimed by Israel and Palestine. Periodically arising conflicts to that acknowledgment. While the peace agreement keeps the city in Palestinian possession.

The area of the city is 5.4 square kilometers. This small territory has been conquered many times over the centuries. The first mention dates back to the 17th-16th centuries BC in connection with the birth of King David and his anointing on the kingdom by the prophet Samuel.

Basilica and the Crusades

In 326 the basilica of the Nativity of Christ was built, and from this moment a series of wars for the right of possession of Bethlehem, connected with the Christian world and becoming one of the symbols of faith, begins. In 1095 Pope Urban II organized the first Crusade to conquer and liberate Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem from Muslim rule. The goal was reached in 1099. Following the victories, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was organized , it existed until 1291.

Ottoman period

From the beginning of the 16th century until the 20th century, Bethlehem, the Holy Land, Jerusalem were part of the Ottoman Empire. Despite the Muslim possession, the pilgrims entered the Holy Places freely. But in 1831-41 the access to Bethlehem was closed by Muhammad Ali (the Egyptian Khedive), under whose control the city was located for ten years.

Russia entered the Crimean War with the Ottoman Empire in 1853-1856, the reason was the refusal to provide the Russian Empire with the leadership of Christian churches in the Holy Land.

The recent 20th century

In 1922, after the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, Bethlehem passed under the protectorate of Britain. Under the jurisdiction of the UN, the city fell in 1947, and in 1948, Jerusalem and Bethlehem were captured by the Jordanians. From 1967 until 1995, the city was under the control of Israel. As a result of negotiations in 1995, it was given over to the Palestinian Authority, where it is still today.

Road to Bethlehem

The Palestinian autonomy in the part where Bethlehem is located is one of the most visited places in the world. The city has never played a prominent role in the life of the region. Its value lies in a different plane: the birth of great people in this area, an event series that took place in the depths of centuries and determined contemporary cultural and spiritual life.

Ancient dates are difficult to determine, but the first landmark of places to be honored is on the road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, the tomb of Rachel. The name of this woman is mentioned in the Old Testament as the beloved wife of the forefather Isaac. The grave is the object of pilgrimage of the Jews. In this area everything intersects: the place of rest of Rachel is located in the middle of Bedouin cemetery, where Muslims flock to honor the memory of their ancestors.

The Biblical King

In the place where Bethlehem is located, one of the most famous kings, David, was born. There he was anointed to the kingdom. David united the lands of Israel, conquered and annexed Jerusalem, made it the capital of his kingdom. In Jerusalem, David's son Solomon built a temple revered by all Jews.

In connection with the name of David , his great-grandmother Ruth is often mentioned. She entered the biblical annals because of her holiness and love for her mother-in-law. To feed the elderly woman, Ruth collected corn on the fields around Bethlehem, left after the reapers who worked for her future husband. It will be several centuries, and over these same fields will sound the words of the Angels, who blew the Nativity of Christ. This place is now called "Field of Shepherds" and refers to the small town of Beit Sahur.

Main attraction

The very place where the city of Bethlehem is located, its history is shrouded in secrets. To trace the oldest part of historical events, one can rely on disputable sources and archeology. In Bethlehem, Jesus Christ was born, which determined the main value of this city in the eyes of believers and historians. In connection with the location of the caves of Christmas in Bethlehem, the city acquired world significance. For the shrine Christians fought with Muslims for many centuries. The cross conquests gave way to the Eastern kings. The history around the Shrine knows many bloody battles.

In 326, at the behest of Empress Byzantium Helen, the basilica of the Nativity of Christ was erected over the Christmas Cave. In 529 the temple was inflicted considerable damage by the Samaritans, who rebelled against the Byzantine rule. Suppressing the uprising, Emperor Justinian restored the basilica, expanding the room of the temple.

From 1517 until the end of the First World War, the entire Holy Land, including Bethlehem, belonged to the Ottoman Empire. However, to the pilgrims the entrance to the Shrine was not closed, every believer could come to worship without obstacles. However, the path was unsafe.

In 1995, thanks to negotiations, the place where Bethlehem is located was transferred to the Palestinian Authority. So a small historical city became the center of a small province.

The Christian enclave

The city of Bethlehem is where Muslims and Christians peacefully coexist. Until recently (50 years ago) the city was almost completely Orthodox, but now the number of believers in Christian faiths has declined.

The main place of the Orthodox world - the Church of the Nativity of Christ has a vast territory. Directly to the shrine adjoin three monasteries: Orthodox, Armenian and Franciscan. The temple is owned by three denominations, only Orthodox priests have the right to hold services at the main altar.

The heart of the temple is under the altar. To descend to it it is necessary on an ancient ladder, having reached a grotto, in a floor it is possible to see the silver star, meaning a place where Christ was born. This is the main goal of the pilgrimage of Christians around the world. For the opportunity to touch the shrine, believers make long trips.

Remarkable and the temple itself. Constructed many centuries ago from a rough stone, it stores ancient architecture and looks more like a fortress, always ready for defense and protection of its pilgrims and ministers. Recent restoration work allows you to see in some places the mosaic floor, made even under the emperor Justinian. Remains of mosaic decoration are visible on the walls, there is also a painting. Written images of the Saints strike the imagination and strengthen the feelings of believers visiting the temple. The sixteen columns supporting the arch are dated to the fifteenth century and refer to the period of the Crusaders. They are decorated with paintings, but it is already difficult to consider.

Christian shrines

Bethlehem, where the cave of Christmas is located, has several other biblical places. They are interesting not only to believing pilgrims, but also to whom history is important. Here one can find or disprove certain theories. Many women make a pilgrimage to the Milk Grotto. Inside it, the walls are white. According to legend, in this grotto, Mary and Joseph with the newborn Christ hid from the warriors of Herod for forty days.

Not far from the Church of the Nativity of Christ is another memorable biblical place - the cave of Bethlehem infants. According to the legend, in her, women hid their sons, but could not save them. By the order of King Herod, about 14 thousand (according to various sources) of male babies were killed. The order to destroy the children Herod gave because of the prediction that the boy, the future king of the Jews, will be born and will overthrow him. In the depths of the cave there is a small church built in the system of catacombs. This is the most ancient Christian building of surviving shrines dating back to the sixth century.

Other attractions

Also in the vicinity of Bethlehem there are ponds of Solomon - huge reservoirs for collecting fresh water. The water in them was supplied by the self, and the system is so perfect that it still delights today. They are still used for irrigation purposes.

Also, a curious traveler can visit Herodium - the city built by King Herod on a man-made mountain. The hill rises above the city, recalling the decay of the great civilizations. It was believed that the mountain is the tomb of the king himself, but excavations conducted in 2005, disappointed the adherents of this theory. The sarcophagus was found, but no remains were found in it.

Our days

Modernity affects the course of the life of the city, but mostly all events are related to the spiritual value of the events that occurred here. Today Bethlehem, where there are about 25 000 inhabitants, is open to all comers. People visit him for curiosity and spiritual purpose. The conflict between Israel and Palestine, slowly smoldering in this region, does not interfere with visiting the places where Bethlehem is located.

There were never a lot of people living in the city. Since ancient times the measured way of life of the townspeople has been preserved. All infrastructure, services and small-scale production are oriented in development to pilgrims and tourists. Most of the population is Palestinian, professing Islam. They live about 80-85 percent of the total population of the city. The rest of the inhabitants are Christians of different faiths.

The place where Bethlehem (the country of Palestine) is located, try to save from military conflicts, because the main profit is brought by tourists. Dependence on the tourist flow makes the Palestinians enterprising, crafts thrive, trade and other types of entrepreneurship.

Safe visit

Many argue that the city of Bethlehem in Israel is the birthplace of Jesus Christ. It is true in the part of the birth of the Savior in Bethlehem and wickedness in the belonging of the city to Israel. Bethlehem refers to the Palestinian Authority and from Jerusalem is two hours away. You can get to the city through a checkpoint. Quite often you have to stand in line, this is due to the influx of pilgrims and verification of documents.

No special permit papers are required for entry: only the usual marks of a foreign citizen in the passport. The checkpoints are periodically closed for several days, due to the tense situation of Palestinian-Israeli relations. But on the whole, in this part of the border of the Palestinian Authority and Israel, the situation is the most calm.

If you are going to visit the city to explore the sights or to make a pilgrimage, the best option is the path: the city of Bethlehem - Israel. The detailed information about the city will allow every tourist to navigate in it, so in advance you will get a map of Bethlehem.