Church of the Nativity كنيسة المهد
Bethlehem, Palestine UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine, is a minor basilica, basilica, and World Heritage Site dedicated to the Nativity of Jesus. Commissioned by Constantine the Great and Helena Augusta in 327, the rock structure spans 0.03 km2 and exhibits Early Christian and Romanesque architecture. It is one of the most looked-up sights in Palestine.
Planning a visit
The warmest months are July and August, with daily highs of 32 °C and lows of 19 °C, and no rain. January and February are the coldest months, with daily highs of 13 °C and lows of 5 °C, alongside significant rainfall reaching up to 151 mm across about 11 days. Wheelchair access at the site is limited.
The nearest airport is Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, located 46 km away. The sight is 9 km from East Jerusalem. Nearby sights include the Chapel of the Milk Grotto at 0.1 km, Rachel's Tomb at 2.0 km, Solomon's Pools at 4.0 km, the Judaean Mountains at 5.7 km, and Gehenna at 7.5 km.
Weather by month
The warmest month is August, with an average high of 32 °C. The wettest is January, with about 151 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 13 | 13 | 17 | 23 | 27 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 26 | 19 | 15 |
| Average low, °C | 5 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 7 |
| Rainfall, mm | 151 | 138 | 84 | 20 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 65 | 103 |
| Rainy days | 11 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 9 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
