Bethlehem Holiday

Bethlehem is a city steeped in religious history and tradition and attracts numerous visitors to its famous Church of the Nativity each year.

Located in the Palestinian Authority's West Bank, the unique city blends Christian, Jewish and Muslim influences.

The city's name translates as either 'house of meat' or 'house of bread' and it was originally known as the city of David, as it was the birthplace of the second king of Israel and the place where he was anointed by Saul.

Believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, Bethlehem is also the site of the tomb of Rachel, important in Judaism, and the centre of Palestine's tourism and culture.

Situated around 10km (six miles) south of Jerusalem, Bethlehem is relatively accessible to travellers and is set in the hills. However, it is far easier for tourists to enter and leave the city than it is for Palestinian residents and there is widespread evidence of poverty.

The imposing Church of the Nativity was built in 330 AD by the Roman emperor Constantine the Great and it dominates the centre of the city. Constructed over the Holy Crypt, which is thought to be the exact place Christ was born, it is thought to be the oldest Christian church still in existence.

Captured by the Persians in 614 AD, Bethlehem fell to the Muslims shortly afterwards, but the Church of the Nativity was preserved for Christians. The city was taken by the Crusaders in 1099 and fortified, but fell to Saladin and was held by the Ottoman Empire almost continuously from 1517 until the end of World War I and the British Mandate on Palestine.

In 1947 the United Nations General Assembly partitioned the country into Jewish and Palestinian states. After the Arab-Israeli War in 1948, Bethlehem was the site of refugee camps and was controlled by Jordan until 1967 when Israel grabbed control.

In 1995, Bethlehem came under the control of the Palestinian Authority and its rich, turbulent and diverse history is what shapes the modern city. Bethlehem has been at the centre of a number of violent confrontations between Palestinians and Israelis but is now relatively safe, though tourists should remain vigilant.

Other important religious sites in and around Bethlehem include the grotto where Jerome laboured translating the scriptures into Latin for 30 years, the valley in which the Biblical story of Ruth and Naomi took place, Solomon's Pools, Shepherd's Field, the monasteries, and Herodion, the ruins of King Herod's ancient palace.

Bethlehem is home to the Vatican-founded Bethlehem University, Bethlehem Museum and the impressive Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity. A great deal of money was spent on the city in 2000, mainly donated by European countries, and visitors generally receive a warm welcome.

There are a number of good place to stay in Bethlehem, including grand old buildings and small independent hostels. The city has several excellent restaurants selling cheap and tasty Palestinian dishes and there are a number of lively bars and nightclubs. Shoppers should head for the markets for local handicrafts.

Bethlehem is hot in summer and very cold in winter, with spring and autumn the most pleasant times of year. The easiest way to reach the city is via the Ben-Gurion International Airport, situated between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and then by bus.