The Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest church buildings in the world. Even more significant is the fact that it has been in continuous use since Emperor Justinian built the present structure in the early sixth century. The Church is a fortress-like building. The original door surround can be seen, as can the relief-decorated architrave and supporting consoles of the sixth century Justinianic church. The Crusaders reduced the size of the entrance, inserting a doorway with a pointed arch and walling up the upper part of the original doorway. The size of the doorway was later still further reduced in order to prevent the Mamelukes from riding into the church on horseback
The church's central basilica is now part of the Greek-Orthodox church. Near the Church of the Nativity is located a Gothic-style Cathedral, which is part of the Catholic church.
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The Church is a fortress-like building. The original door surround can be seen, as can the relief-decorated architrave and supporting consoles of the sixth century Justinianic church. The Crusaders reduced the size of the entrance, inserting a doorway with a pointed arch and walling up the upper part of the original doorway. The size of the doorway was later still further reduced in order to prevent the Mamelukes from riding into the church on horseback