Church of the Nativity

St. Helena built the first Church of the Nativity around 330 over the cave in Bethlehem where Christ was born. The church we see today was rebuilt by Justinian in the 6th century and is one of the oldest churches still in daily use. When the Persians invaded in 614 they spared it, tradition says, because the mosaic over the door showed the Magi in Persian dress. Visitors enter through the tiny Door of Humility and go down to the grotto, where a silver star marks the place of the birth.

• Date: c. 330