The tour starts with the site where the Holy Family (Mary & Joseph) stopped before entering Bethlehem. We will spend time imagining the site as it was in the past and view the ruins of a 5th century Byzantine Church, Mt. of Abu Ghneim, and the field of chickpeas. We will then enter Bethlehem, passing by the Separation Wall and seeing the graffiti of Banksy. We will see a refugee camp, and then visit Solomon’s Pool and the museum of Morad Fortress. We will continue on to view Jacer Palace and drive a little further to see one of the refugee camps. We will stop at the junction between Bethlehem and Beit Jala to hear a fascinating piece of oral history, and then continue driving to visit Solomon’s Pool and the fascinating museum of Morad Fortress.
This tour exposes you to the oral history, narratives and myths of the people of Bethlehem. Unlike the majority of tours in Bethlehem today, this tour opens the window to listen to the untold stories of the people rooted in the land. Not only will you discover the forest of 1000 trees that disappeared in Bethlehem and the field that had all its chickpeas turn into stones, but you will encounter the secret untold stories of every field, street and family. My tour is a result of years of personal research on the oral history of Bethlehem. Many theologians say that the people and the land are the fifth gospel; this tour is an opportunity to experience the fifth gospel.
