The
Church of the Nativity is a
basilica located in
Bethlehem,
West Bank. The church was originally commissioned in 327 by Constantine and his mother Helena over the site that is still
traditionally considered to be located over the cave that marks the
birthplace of
Jesus of Nazareth. The Church of the Nativity site's original basilica was completed in 339 and destroyed by fire during the
Samaritan Revolts in the 6th century. A new basilica was built 565 by Justinian, the
Byzantine Emperor, restoring the
architectural tone of the original. The site of the Church of the Nativity has had numerous additions since this second construction, including its prominent bell towers. Due to its cultural and geographical history, the site holds a prominent religious significance to those of both the
Christian and
Muslim faiths.