page_title: Church of the Nativity
section_title: Justinian's basilica (6th century)
hierarchical_section_title: Church of the Nativity / History / Justinian's basilica (6th century)
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Schilderung einer Pilgerreise von Konstanz nach Jerusalem durch Konrad von Grünenberg, um 1487 Konrad von Grünenberg: Beschreibung der Reise von Konstanz nach Jerusalem - Cod. St. Peter, pap. 32. Handschrift, Bodenseegebiet (Konstanz?), um 1487. II + 53 Blätter, 32x21, mit 31 kolorierten Zeichnungen der Reiseroute von Venedig bis Palästina. Text in alemannischer Mundart.
context_page_description: The Church of the Nativity, or Basilica of the Nativity, is a basilica located in Bethlehem in the West Bank. The grotto it contains holds a prominent religious significance to Christians of various denominations as the birthplace of Jesus. The grotto is the oldest site continuously used as a place of worship in Christianity, and the basilica is the oldest major church in the Holy Land.
  The church was originally commissioned by Constantine the Great a short time after his mother Helena's visit to Jerusalem and Bethlehem in 325–326, on the site that was traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Jesus. That original basilica was likely built between 330–333, being already mentioned in 333, and was dedicated on 31 May 339. It was destroyed by fire during the Samaritan revolts of the sixth century, possibly in 529, and a new basilica was built a number of years later by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, who added a porch or narthex, and replaced the octagonal sanctuary with a cruciform transept complete with three apses, but largely preserved the original character of the building, with an atrium and a basilica consisting of a nave with four side aisles.
context_section_description: The basilica was rebuilt in its present form in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-569), after the destruction of either 529 or 556.
  The Persians under Khosrau II invaded Palestine and conquered nearby Jerusalem in 614, but they did not destroy the structure. According to legend, their commander Shahrbaraz was moved by the depiction above the church entrance of the Three Magi wearing the garb of Persian Zoroastrian priests, so he ordered that the building be spared.
  Anglo-Saxon king Alfred the Great (r. 886-899) is credited with a donation for the upkeep of the church.
caption: The basilica and grounds as they were depicted in a work published in 1487
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