Churches today
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
Bethlehem · Palestine
One of the oldest continuously used churches in the world, over the traditional birth grotto.
Traditional identification
Active site
Ecumenical
Byzantine
Crusader
Modern
The grotto has been venerated since at least the second century; no independent verification exists.
31.704, 35.208
Why it matters
Justinian-era basilica on Constantinian foundations; UNESCO World Heritage since 2012.