Bethlehem Site of Jesus’ Birth to Begin Restoration
Two years after armed Palestinians invaded Israel and launched a major war, a major restoration is set to begin later this year at the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Church officials from several branches of Christianity announced the plans in late January. This is the first time since the 1400s that the site will see such an extensive overhaul.
The restoration will be led by Piacenti S.p.A., the Italian firm that recently completed the years-long renovation of the Basilica of the Nativity which sits directly above the grotto. Their previous work, which wrapped up in 2020, included cleaning ancient mosaics, reinforcing ancient walls, and using laser technology to stabilize the structure—efforts widely praised by local and international church authorities.
This new chapter in Bethlehem’s history comes at a challenging moment for the city. Religious tourism, a vital part of the city’s economy, has plummeted since the October 2023 attacks by Gaza which led to full-scale war between Israel and Hamas. Local leaders hope the restoration will not only preserve a cornerstone of Christian heritage but also signal resilience and renewal for the wider Holy Land.
Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas approved the restoration plans in 2024 and discussed them during a November meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Rome. Abbas called the project “a sign of great hope and rebirth for the whole Holy Land.” His comments, however, are contrary to his policies which have made Christian populations in the PA-controlled areas of ancient Israel feel vulnerable. Many Christians have fled Bethlehem since Israel gave control of the city to the PA in the Oslo Accord peace agreement authored by former President Bill Clinton. The city was once 80 percent Christian. Even before the Hamas attacks, it ha shrunk to between 15 and 20 percent.
The Grotto of the Nativity is best known for the 14-pointed silver star set into the marble floor, marking the spot where, according to tradition, Jesus was born. The restoration will include technical reinforcements to the grotto and adjacent areas, ensuring the sanctity and safety of the site for generations of pilgrims to come.
Church leaders from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Custody of the Holy Land, and other Christian communities have described the project as a rare show of unity. In a joint statement, they called it “a unified Christian commitment to preserve the spiritual, historical, and cultural patrimony of the Holy Grotto for future generations.”
Restoration work is expected to begin later this year, with hopes that renewed interest—and renewed foot traffic—will follow. For now, the Grotto of the Nativity stands poised for its next chapter, offering a glimmer of hope in a land often defined by its challenges.
–Metro Voice
