We will meet at the Bethlehem Central Bus Station. From there, we will start the tour with a visit to the Al-Najara, located west of The Nativity and believed to be the oldest district in the city. On the way, we will pass by the Omar Mosque and Nativity Church and talk about the coexistence of Muslims and Christians in Bethlehem. We will visit the Peace center and talk about the history of the place and the current activities arranged by the center. Afterwards, we will also walk through the neighborhoods of Al-Anatra, Harzat, Al-Qawaqsa, Al Fawaghreh, Al tarajmeh, and the Syriac quarter. We will learn about the history and importance as we walk through each one. After a special Palestinian tea break, we will hear from the Terra Santa scouts, one of the oldest scout groups in Bethlehem. We end the program by having lunch at the Eftim Falafel Restaurant located in the square of the Church of the Nativity.
While the birthplace of Jesus is the center of Bethlehem, the various historical neighborhoods surrounding the nativity scene are beautiful antiquities in their own rights. Since the birthplace of Jesus in the outskirts of Bethlehem thousands of years ago, each of Bethlehem’s 7 neighborhoods have gained their own unique traditions, songs, and stories connected to the nativity story and beyond. On this tour, you will find out which neighborhood the magi walked and where the Virgin Mary reportedly breastfed Jesus. Beyond the stories of the early pilgrims, we will also immerse ourselves in the current vibrant life of these neighborhoods by visiting families, trying local foods, and exploring Bethlehem’s old market.
