This local site, revered by tradition, is known as Der Esiar (meaning ‘sheepfold’). This site lies 1 km (0.6 miles) to the northwest of the Church of Er-Ra’wat. It belongs to the Franciscan Fathers and was carefully excavated, revealing a vast monastic agricultural establishment, cisterns, and grottoes. According to evidence in the field, an early […]

The Milk Grotto is said to be the place where the Holy Family found their refuge during the Massacre of the Innocents before they could flee into Egypt. The Grotto’s name comes from the belief that a drop of the Virgin Mary’s milk fell down onto the floor of the cave and changed its color […]

The Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest working churches in existence today. The first Church was built by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD, over the grotto where Mary gave birth to Jesus. Constantine and his mother, Helena, built a magnificent and majestic church adorned with beautiful marble and […]