is bethlehem in israel

To travel from Bethlehem to its neighboring suburbs of Beit Sahour or Beit Jala, it should be no more than ₪25-30. The Church of the Nativity was built in the 4th century by the mother of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine. The Church of Nativity is located in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, which is controlled by Palestinian authorities. This bar is popular with young Palestinians, good drinks and great food served!! down hill from the Church of the Nativity. Note that some maps (looking at you Google) of the streets are pretty bad, and even if they're accurate a lot of street names aren't consistent (seems to be common in Arab countries who tend to navigate by landmarks instead). Having said that, the economy depends heavily on tourists so the authorities have spent a lot of effort on keeping tourists safe and incidents are very rare. On December 21, 1995, Bethlehem became one of the areas under the full control of the Palestinian Authority. Bethlehem still bears its name today. This is an excellent opportunity to get high carat gold (up to 22 carats) for a fraction of what you'd pay back home!! Dance at Cosmos nightclub, located in Beit Jala at the top of the hill, or at Cheers or Roots Lounge in Beit Sahour. Cremisan Cellars, [5]. Israelis currently can't go into Bethlehem unless they have a special permit. The restaurant's menu is posted on a huge sign onto the barrier and as well, at night soccer games are projected onto a huge projector screen put on the wall for people to view on outdoor tables. Just off Manger Square on Milk Grotto Street there are a number of souvenir shops selling various religious gifts and Bethlehem's famous olive wood carvings. There you can find a tourist information office and get a free map and a lot of valuable information about transportation there. Bethlehem is a small city so taxi rides can be quite cheap, depending on your haggling skills. Note, for phone numbers in the Palestinian territories, there are two area codes: +972 and +970. To get back to Jerusalem, take Bus 21 or 231 from the same place it drops you off on the way in (Hebron Rd., north of the Children Street intersection, west side of the street). Therefore they carry 4 passengers, and you can flag them down whenever you see them in the city. You can bargain them down to reasonable prices if you're tough, so if you don't want the hassle of trying to make your own way around, this can be a lovely way to see Palestine and spend time with a Palestinian family. But despite the festive atmosphere, Palestinians in Bethlehem know that this year their Christmas is going to be anything but the usual. The host speaks English and German fluently and know everything you need to know about West Banks and Palestine. Souvenir shops in Bethlehem are much, much cheaper than in Jerusalem- with all the same selection (surprisingly, many Bethlehem souvenir shops even have Jewish themed souvenirs). Bethlehem: The town that symbolises the stalemate in the Israel-Palestine conflict. 28,000), in the West Bank West Bank, territory, formerly part of Palestine, after 1949 administered by Jordan, since 1967 largely occupied by Israel (2005 est. Hence women can enjoy a glimpse of the chapel and building from a nearby two story tower known as the Women’s Tower. If you are moving around by a rented car, you can park your car next to the checkpoint and cross by foot. Bethlehem-Judah is in the south and the other Bethlehem is in the north near Nazareth. There is no need to worry about having an Israeli stamp in your passport since all visitors to Bethlehem must go through Israel passport control. There is usually a younger crowd here. In order to enter Bethlehem they must go through an Israeli checkpoint that includes showing a passport and scanning luggage in an x-ray device, similar to airport security. You should just walk 15 minutes or so up the hill, making a left at the intersection a few meters after you get off the bus (the road is listed as Children St on Google Maps). From the checkpoint to the Church of the Nativity (and anywhere within Bethlehem city) it should cost no more than ₪20. ₪150-200 should be reasonable, better to go with a group of people and split the cab cost. Few of the Byzantine desert monasteries can match the serenity and beauty this monastery. The restaurant provides a family-friendly atmosphere (and an excellent view) that is popular for tourists and locals alike. Once at Bethlehem's bus station (called the mujamma), negotiate a price with a taxi driver who will take you to the site, wait for you there, and drop you back off at the Bethlehem bus station. Local cuisine and Taybeh beer in an old Bethlehem building with a friendly staff. Craving some fresh pork in the Holy Land? The Bethlehem agglomeration also includes the small towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour, the latter also having biblical significance. On one of the west hills of Bethlehem, very near to the main road of Jerusalem-Hebron, surrounded by a multiple of Christian churches, historical convents and educational institutions. Copyright @ 2013. The chances that most Christian tourists and pilgrims making their way to Israel will have heard of the other Bethlehem are extraordinarily slim. Planned tours going with guides from tourist information center in Jerusalem old city will also stop at some shops in Bethlehem for you to buy the fake items. A large and free parking area is available there. Where is Bethlehem Located? Bethlehem's bus station is also a great starting point to get to other cities in the Palestinian territories. This route takes you straight into Bethlehem via the checkpoint between Beit Jala and Gilo on Highway 60 (31°42'20.1"N 35°10'08.2"E) typically without needing to stop. The Church of Nativity is six minutes walk through the old bazaars. As of May 2013 the phone number may not be in service; use the contact form on the website and give them a few days to respond. The Old Testament Book of Ruth (c. 1150 BC) has the first certain reference to Bethlehem; it tells the story of Naomi, who left Bethlehem during a famine, and later returned with her daughter-in-law Ruth. Built into the rock, Mar Saba represents a way of life unchanged since the time of Constantine. Due to its proximity to Nazareth, one historian believes that it is the Bethlehem … St. Theodosius died in 529 CE and at that time there was said to be some 400 monks living in the Monastery who were massacred by the Persians during the invasion of 614 CE. On your way up there, look for an Olive Wood factory located on the Milk Grotto Street, with the name Christmas House Olive Wood Factory [28]. If buying gold jewelry in Bethlehem or Jerusalem old market, avoid buying gold as most of the items are gold plated silver. The city is situated within the hill country of Judah, part of a central mountain range that runs north-south through much of Palestine (the ancient Roman name for the region). Devoted pilgrims often prefer to walk (and in happier times there has been a large procession at Christmas), at a brisk pace the trip is doable in 2 hours but there are plenty of ups and downs along the way and the summer heat is fearsome. In mid-April or early May (it goes by the Julian calendar), the town (both Muslims and Christians) holds a festival for St.George that is worth seeing. Bethlehem is an awesome place to get all your Holy Land souvenirs for much, much cheaper than you would get them in Israel. The smaller looking souvenir shops offer the best deals and very friendly service. Bethlehem is a good base for visits to nearby Herodion (or Herodium), a fortress built by Herod the Great and located some 6 km to the south-east of the town. The local specialty is a Arabic liquor called "Arak". Every Christmas, a relatively small town in the Palestinian West Bank comes center stage: Bethlehem. They were coming to Bethlehem to be register in a national tax census (Luke 2:1-7), all citizens had to be registered in their city of origin and Joseph was from the house of David, Bethlehem … Unfortunately a year later, the Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occurred and the ensuing violence scuttled these tourism efforts. Note that cab drivers can become aggressive, so the best way to avoid them is to simply decline politely ("Laa, shukran") and walk on. Comfortable with AC, great views in some rooms and big buffet breakfast. on the Main Road, not far from Nativity Square. We are located in the "Heart of the City" within walking distance to the Nativity Church and many of the major attractions, such as the Old City of Bethlehem, King David's wells, just to name a few. It is only a few minutes stroll to the Nativity Church and the shopping area. Bethlehem (bĕth`lĭhĕm, –lēəm) [Heb.,=house of bread or house of Lahm, a goddess], Arab. The Olive Tree Hotel was built in 2009 and consists of 26 en-suite rooms, including double rooms, triple rooms and suites. As of 2019 it had a population of 843. I myself hadn’t heard of this other Bethlehem until a couple of years ago. The Middle East is known for its top quality, beautiful gold and jewelry. Bethlehem (Arabic: بيت لحم, Beit Lahm Hebrew: בית לחם Beit Lechem)[23] is a small city located some 10 km (6 miles) south of the Old City of Jerusalem within the West Bank, in an "Area A" zone administered by the Palestinian Authority. Alternatively, if you do not wish to see the city through cab window you can first get to Manger square (around 20 min on foot from the bus stop you arrive from Jerusalem); a decent map of Bethlehem's streets is probably a good idea (as of 23/4/15 Google Maps was missing a fair few streets and had several misnamed, I found OpenStreetMap to be pretty flawless). The guys there can provide you with an amazing tour of their workshop and you can see how they hand carve things from the olive trees, a must see. The All Nations Cafe [24] organizes summer caravans where internationals can learn about the social, political and cultural fabrics of life in and around Bethlehem. Kitchen available with included tea and coffee all day, a refrigerator & small stove. Bethlehem, Arabic Bayt Laḥm (“House of Meat”), Hebrew Bet Leḥem (“House of Bread”), town in the West Bank, situated in the Judaean Hills 5 miles (8 km) south of Jerusalem. Visit to do some shopping and hear the story of the Anastas family's struggles living next to the Wall. Jesus, according to some biblical sources, was born in this town some two millennia ago. The Arabic School for Overseas Students & Diplomats at Bethlehem University [27] offers month-long intensive courses (January, July, and August) in Spoken and Media Arabic, catering to all levels of proficiency. across the Manger Square past the Mosque of Omar. But did you know that there are actually TWO Bethlehems in Israel? You must visit the Milk Grotto Church which is two minutes away from the Nativity Church. Bethlehem is located at an elevation of about 775 meters (2,543 ft) above sea level, 30 meters (98 ft) higher than nearby Jerusalem. Owner can explain local shared taxi routes, which is very helpful. While Bethlehem's souq is a lot smaller than Jerusalem's, it is much less touristy and the sellers are less aggressive and very friendly, many even offer potential customers coffee and tea. The Citadel - The Citadel Restaurant, Beith Sahour. This knock-off of Starbucks offers Starbucks styled beverages as well as Arabic snacks. The site of King Herod's man made mountain and his recently discovered tomb. If you wish to take a taxi, walk at least until you reach Children St (a few meters after the drop-off) and flag down a cab from there. Mundo Restaurant makes the best pizza in Bethlehem, if not all of Palestine. Herodion can be reached by taxi from Bethlehem costing about ₪150-200 for a round trip. Bethlehem has some really nice jewelry stores that sell higher carat gold jewelry for really, really cheap. One of these points is down the hill behind the Bethlehem Tourist Information Center. If you want to go to/from Rachel's Tomb, then there is minibus 234 (was 24 before) that also leaves from the same bus station in Jerusalem, it costs ₪5 and runs directly to the Bethlehem Checkpoint and back. Bethlehem. The falafel is so good, shops come from as far away as Haifa to buy the raw mix. In 1995 Bethlehem came under the administration of the Palestinian Authority, though Israel retained control of entrances and exits. These gather at certain points. D12 on the Map. They journey to Bethlehem in response to a census that the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus required for all the Jewish people. For first time visitors who may be surprised at how busy Bethlehem is, it may be best to travel by taxi (although a taxi is good if someone feels lost if a 2km walk is a problem - there are traffic jams on some streets so one may walk as fast as taxi drives). In the city itself, 41% of the population is Christian, while 59% is Muslim. Bethlehem was prophesied to be the birthplace of the Messiah. It is considered the most elite hotels in Bethlehem. If you need transportation inside Bethlehem, you can pick a local taxi or arrange for a local driver to wait for you on the other side. In 1250, the Ayyubid Dynasty was replaced by th… The monastery of Mar Saba is located only 6km from St. Theodosius and 15 km from Bethlehem. Bethlehem became famous throughout all of Israel as the home of the family of King David (1000 BCE). This restaurant, is enclosed in a huge tent. The original monastery was destroyed during the Persian invasion. Stands to reason it's probably not a good idea to let on about any pro-Israeli views you might have, since a large number of residents are from families made refugees from 1948. Christians used to be a large majority but their numbers have declined throughout the 20th century. Everything you need is here!! Bethlehem's newest hotel! Its earliest name was EPHRATH or EPHRATAH. Although also home to many Muslims, Bethlehem remains home to one of the largest Arab Christian communities in the Middle East and one of the chief cultural and tourism draw cards for the community. In peaceful times, Bethlehem's traders do a roaring trade in souvenirs for pilgrims to the town. It is impossible, in a short paragraph or two to explain the complex nature of Israeli Palestinian politics, but in order to bring this virtual tour into modern context, we need to offer some context for a tour of this ancient town. Shepherds Valley Village - The Tent Restaurant, Beit Sahour. Clean and airy with inside and outside seating. This very innovate restaurant takes a symbol of despair, the massive Israeli barrier separating Bethlehem from Jerusalem, and turns it into an asset for his business. Manger Square is flanked by the Church of the Nativity on one side and the Mosque of Omar on the other. The "little town" of Bethlehem, mentioned in any number of Christmas carols, attracts pilgrims worldwide on account of its description in the New Testament (and particularly the Gospels) as the birthplace of Jesus, whom Christians believe to be Messiah and Son of God. A long snake of town, the main thoroughfare of Bethlehem is Manger Street which stretches from Rachel's Tomb (and the road to Jerusalem) all the way to Manger Square, the focal point of the city. With its stylish look and relaxed atmosphere Bon Jour has quickly become a popular hangout. After you pass through the checkpoint, tell the driver where you're headed and he'll let you know what the best stop is to get off. Sells Christian souvenirs, piece of Bethlehem to share with your family and friends. However, it seems likely that both meanings have been retrofitted onto what was originally the House of Lachma, the Mesopotamian god of fertility. Another option is to take the sherut which will drop you off nearby for only 5 NIS but you will have to walk 30 min. Afterwards it grew slowly but steadily, achieving its pinnacle as a strong fortified city during the Crusader era, but the Ottomans razed the fortifications and reduced Bethlehem back into the village it was 2000 years earlier. Bethlehem is a perfect place to practice those bargaining skills that you were hoping to try out! Shared taxis (sherut/servees) leave from the Arab bus station nearby Damascus Gate and manage the trip in 20 minutes. The hotel is located on the top of the mountain of Beit Jala, overlooking the city of Bethlehem with its holy sites and with an excellent view over surrounding hills. The Abu Jubran Guest House is an elegant accommodation solution for conferences hosted at our Ad-Dar Cultural and Conference Center. “Bethlehem of Galilee” was located in the region given to the tribe of Zebulun in northern Israel (see Joshua 19:15), while “Bethlehem of Judea,” where Jesus was born, was located 6 kilometers (4 miles) south of “Jerusalem” (Matthew 2:1), the largest city in Judea and the capital of Israel. Some soldiers might come to check your passport on the bus, particularly when heading back into Jerusalem, but it's quite painless. The family also operates a bed & breakfast and gives tours and talks about Palestinian life to groups. One must venture out of Manger square to the souvenir shops on Manger Street and also in the market place beside Manger Square past the Mosque of Omar. In accordance to the Oslo Peace Accord, Israel turned Bethlehem over to the Palestinian National Authority in 1995 after having control of the city for 28 years. Bethlehem is a small town located at the southern end of Jerusalem, just 5km (8 miles) from Jerusalem city center. Although Arabic is the language of Bethlehem's inhabitants, English, French and other languages are widely spoken and understood by many people in Bethlehem. Although Mar Saba is reputed for its hospitality to strangers, women have never been allowed to enter. Text is available under [http://wikitravel.org/shared/Copyleft Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0] images are available under [http://wikitravel.org/shared/How_to_re-use_Wikitravel_guides various licenses], see each image for details. Welcome to Bethlehem Souvenir - christian gifts - Offers christian gifts such as Olive wood, cross, silver, gold, Ceramic from Palestine. The city of Bethlehem, located about six miles southwest of Jerusalem, is the birthplace of our Savior Jesus Christ. But this year was really hard on everyone, on all the countries of the world. Just like cars, taxis from Jerusalem can drive you to the checkpoint, but not cross with you into Bethlehem. Located at the entrance of Bethlehem, one km from the Church of Nativity and only a few kms form the heart of the holy Old City of Jerusalem. Feel free to email/phone numerous Bethlehem hotels for quotes and compare the prices, it definitely saves you money rather than staying in an overpriced Jerusalem hotel. During the Second Intifada there was also a siege centered on the Church of the Nativity, so there are fresh memories here. Bethlehem is revered by Jews as the birthplace and home town of David, King of Israel, as well as the traditional site of Rachel's Tomb (on the outskirts of the town). The taxi drivers are rather insistent but not aggressive, if you're not used to it, the sight of them shouting at each other over who gets to hassle you can be alarming, but stay polite and just walk on (unless you want a taxi of course). Christian pilgrimage tours to Bethlehem are frequently and easily arranged from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, Israel. A free walking tour is operated by the hostel owner (his English is very good). There are many options to choose from. Cars which are rented in Israel are not allowed into Bethlehem and are not covered by insurance while there. In the current situation, the tour operators prefer to quickly hustle their guided groups in and out of the Nativity Church without allowing them time to look around Manger Square. https://wikitravel.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Bethlehem&oldid=2630649, Pages linked to a data item for a disambiguation. A must see! This nightclub plays mostly Arabic pop music. To travel to any of the destinations located outside of these areas (such as Herodium, any of the surrounding Monasteries or Solomon's Pools) it's advisable to negotiate a price with a taxi driver at the Bethlehem bus station. Visit the famous Cremisan Cellars Winery located in the Bethlehem suburb of Beit Jala. 1. Still, Bethlehem remained a small town in the shadow of mighty Jerusalem, and according to most estimates it had some 300 to 1000 inhabitants at the time of the event that gave Bethlehem its fame, namely the birth of Jesus. The Holy Land Trust [25] organizes tours of many cities in Palestine for both politically inclined tourists and religious tourists. Bethlehem, or beit lechem means “House of Bread” in Hebrew. This Winery, also the site of the ancient Cremisan Monestery, is on a hilltop and offers a spectacular view of the valley below it and as well of the surrounding Jerusalem and Bethlehem area. In comparison, there are larger completely yellow service minivans that travel between cities and larger distances in Bethlehem.
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