Walking Tours   

Bethlehem, Palestine

Two thousand years ago, wise men and shepherds gathered in Bethlehem to worship a child that promised peace on earth and goodwill for all. Today Bethlehem promises a celebration for the Millennium that is rich in meaning - a journey to human heritage and a gathering of humanity for the future.

Bethlehem lies 10 km south of Jerusalem, 765 m above sea level, on the edge of the Bethlehem Wilderness. It provides stunning views of the mountain range of Jordan beyond the Dead Sea. An ancient landscape of vineyards, olive trees and tiny villages surrounds the town. Bethlehem is famous for its olivewood hand carvings, its mother-of-pearl jewelry and its distinctive and  rich embroidery, as well as its friendly people.

Traces Of History
Located on an ancient caravan route, Bethlehem has always been a mosaic of many cultures. Not only pilgrims but also numerous foreign rulers  have left their trace on the town. Walking through Bethlehem's old city is like reading a book about history. Canaanite, Byzantine, Arab, Islamic, Persian, Crusader, Turkish and British culture influenced traditions and architectural styles. In recent times European architecture of Western religious institutions and the local Palestinian style merged to form a precious and challenging contemporary heritage. 

A Glimpse Into The Past
The district of Bethlehem is divided into three ancient towns, which, together, represent the cradle of Christianity: Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour. The historic cores of these towns recently underwent substantial conservation, restoration and rehabilitation. 

Quarters Of Bethlehem
Bethlehem's historic Residential Quarters (Harat) developed through the ages and represent Bethlehem's living history - that is the history of its people. The different quarters represent part of the cultural heritage of Bethlehem. The quarters came together like a mosaic to form the corps around Manger Square.

Located west of Manger Square is the first of Bethlehem's historical Residential Quarters, Harat al-Najajreh. According to local folklore residents of this quarter are descendents of the Ghassanites, who were the first Christian tribes of the region. The Ghassanites came from an area, which today is in Northern Yemen, in a region known as Najran. The Najajreh tribe joined another grouping of families known as Rathabreh, who had come to Bethlehem in early Christian times from Greece.

Located northwest of Manger Square, along the ancient Star Street is Harat al-Farahiyeh. Named after the Christian Patriarch Farah (Joy), who like the Najajreh was a descendent of the first Christian tribes, the people of this quarter came in early Christian times from Wadi Musa on the eastern side of the Jordan River.

The Living Faithful
For 2000 years, Christianity has enjoyed a continued presence in Palestine. Palestinian Christians are the "Living Faithful", who were among the first to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. The coming of Islam in the 7th century did not alter the situation for the people of Bethlehem who remained Christian in their majority until this century. Historically Bethlehem has embodied hope in the minds of  humankind. It's historic and sacred meaning shines like a lodestar in our consciousness. 

In and around Bethlehem a number of exciting sites are waiting to be discovered: The Church of Nativity, one of the oldest churches in the world, built by St. Helena in 334 above the Grotto of the Nativity; the Shepherds' Field in Beit-Sahour, where the Angel announced the Good News to the Shepherds; Solomon's Pools with the Ottoman Fortress, which provided Bethlehem and Jerusalem with water throughout the past 2000 years and the Desert Monasteries which are the living witnesses of early Christianity.

With the coming of the Crusades, a third quarter just north of Manger Square was established in Bethlehem Harat al-Tarajmeh (or Quarter of the Translators) was named after the Italian founders (almost all men) who had married Arab Christian women and worked as translators for Franciscan priests and pilgrims.

During the Ottoman Period (early 16th Century) three additional "tribes" established quarters in Bethlehem. The tribe, which established Harat al-Qanatre, just south of the Nativity Basilica came from Antar (meaning Brave), near Herodium. 

Another tribe came from Tekoa and settled south of Manger Square to build Harat al-Qawawse. Residents of Harat al-Hraizat, to the north of Manger Square came from a village south of Jerusalem called Um Tuba.

In 1780 the first Muslim Quarter was established when a group of Muslim villagers joined hands with the Christians of Bethlehem in refusing to pay the Ottoman Sultan taxes. Harat al-Fawagreh, on a hill to the west of the city, was thus established by these Muslims who had migrated from a nearby village called Fagur which was close to Solomon's Pools.

Walking Tours:

The tourism circuits are intended to provide groups and individual tourists with suggestions and encourage them to discover the treasures of the historic core of Bethlehem as well as the historic pilgrims route between Shepherds' Field and the Church of the Nativity. Starting point for the Bethlehem inner city walking tours for groups are Star Street and Madbasse Square.