Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem. The inscribed property is situated 10 km south of Jerusalem on the site identified by Christian tradition as the birthplace of Jesus since the 2nd century. Bethlehem now has a Muslim majority, but is still home to a significant Palestinian Christian community. Bethlehem's chief economic sector is tourism, which peaks during the Christmas season when Christians make pilgrimage to the Church of the Nativity, as they have done for almost 2,000 years. Bethlehem has over 30 hotels and 300 handicraft workshops. Rachel's Tomb, an important Jewish holy site, is located at the northern entrance of Bethlehem.

Buildings of different purposes, rising out of lakes and rivers, submerged in gallons of water - the places where people once lived and worked, a homes to weeds and fishes now. These buildings were flooded and drowned by men's own doing, in their hurry to change nature's path for dams and reservoirs. Churches, monasteries, palaces and fortresses are usually occur as partly-submerged structures, which are popular among photographers and tourists. 1. St. Nicholas Church, Macedonia link The church of St. Nicholas in Mavrovo, Macedonia was built in 1850 and stood for a 153 years until it was decided an artificial lake was needed in the village. At one point the church was fully submerged, but it keeps rising again, especially in summer with the droughts of the 21st century. [link, map] 2. Church Of Altgraun In Lake Reschen, Italy link Planning for a man made lake in this area began in the 1920’s by the Montecatini company, who wanted to build the reservoir for electricity. This proved difficult as they could not get proper support and met strong resistance from all towns involved. link After years of delays and appeals to government officials, the villages of Graun and Reschen were submerged in 1950. A total of 163 homes were lost, including the famous church, whose clock tower still stands above 20 feet (6 m) of water, and has become a main attraction of the area. [link, map] 3. Church of Old Petrolandia, Brazil link Petrolandia is a town in Brazil near the river of Sao Francisco, which was moved - or at least part of it was - when a dam was built. The only thing left standing is the church, which is unusual and beautiful sight. [link] 4. Kalyazin Bell Tower, Russia link The Kalyazin Bell Tower is a Neoclassical campanile, rising to a height of 74.5 metres (244 ft) over the waters of the Uglich Reservoir on the Volga River opposite the old town of Kalyazin. The steepled belfry was built in 1796–1800 as part of the Monastery of St. Nicholas. link When Stalin ordered the construction of the Uglich Reservoir in 1939, the old part of Kalyazin, including several medieval structures, was covered by the waters. The structure became the main object of touristic interest in the east of Tver Oblast, and an islet was shored up underneath. It has a small pier for boats. [link, map] 5. Jal Mahal Palace, India link Jal Mahal (meaning "Water Palace") is a palace located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city, the capital of the state of Rajasthan, India. Built to be a pleasure palace for the royal family in 1799, Jal Mahal Palace is an extremely romantic place with its intricate architecture casting beautiful reflections in the calm waters of the Man Sagar Lake. The lake eco system is a favorite home of a number of migratory and resident birds. link Jal Mahal has been restored recently and is now open for public. The first four floors of Jal Mahal are under water and only the top floor is above the water level. Inside the monument is the roof top garden in white marble - Chameli Bagh, blended with traditional Rajput architecture and contemporary flair, with fountains, water channels with carved niches, trees and scented flowers. [link, map] 6. Church of Mediano, Spain link The Church of Mediano is a 16th century submerged church located in Mediano, a submerged municipality in La Fueva, province of Huesca, Spain. This church was flooded together with the entire village when the water reservoir of the same name was built in the 1960’s. link The last inhabitants left the place when the water was already getting inside their houses. When the lake is full the depth at the base of the tower is approximately 30m (100 ft). [link, map] 7. Tricule Fortress, Romania link Tricule Fortress was built in 15 century to stop the Otoman expansion to west, the ruins are located near Svinita locality, at the border from Romania and Serbia. link On the left side of the Danube, 4km from Svinita, there are three towers in a triangle shape. These had been standing on the steep slope before 1971, the articulation of the lake. Nowadays they seem to be flooded by the Danube and the tower of the south seems to be completely flooded. The towers are 10 and 11 m (33 and 36 ft) high. All of them were constructed of stone, standing there with the 1,40 m (5 ft) wide walls, having three levels in their interior. [link, map] 8. The Nativity Church, Russia link The Nativity Church was built at the end of 18th century (approximately in 1790) in Krokhino settlement. The church was located at the water’s edge on the coast of Lake Beloye, at the origin of the Sheksna River. link The Nativity Church was flooded when the Soviets began the construction of a hydroelectric plant. In the result of drowning the southern wall of the church in Krokhino is more destroyed if compared with the northern wall, but generally, the church is half-destroyed. Church in Krokhino became well-known because of the tourist routes that travel on Sheksna River. In 2009 the project on salvaging the church has been organized. [link, map] Bonus: Reappeared Church of Potosi, Venezuela link Potosi, Venezuela hasn't been on anyone's travel radar much since 1985. That was the year when the town was deliberately flooded by the Venezuelan government to build a hydroelectric dam. That left most of the worthwhile souvenirs from Potosi rather soggy. link Severe droughts (2009-2010) in the region have resulted in an odd miracle, of sorts. The water levels in the man-made reservoir are so low that the town's previously submerged church is now completely above water and resting on dry land. Josefa Garcia, former resident of Potosi, walks by the first time after she leaves the town in front of the ruins of a church in the Andean town of Potosi (2010) link This 82-foot-tall church hasn't been seen in its entirety in 25 years. The good news is that visitors can now witness this beautiful church and marvel at the effects of El Niño. The bad news is 68% of Venezuela's power is hydroelectric. That means that the country is now experiencing an officially-declared energy emergency. [link, map]

The Gospels tell us that Jesus was born in a cave or stable in Bethlehem “because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2.7) There, our Lord – God made man – was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. What a blessed place! The Church has always held this place in high esteem, which is why at the beginning of the fourth century a small chapel was built around it so that everyone could visit it. Unfortunately, this chapel was destroyed in a revolt in the 6th century. Soon

A self-guided tour of Bethlehem with the exact locations (maps included!) of all Banksy street art in Palestine.

After talking with our tour guide on Monday, we decided to go ahead and take a day trip to Bethlehem. Seeing the place Jesus was born is high on many tourists’ lists, but the details of…

The Door of humility - at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world...

Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem. The inscribed property is situated 10 km south of Jerusalem on the site identified by Christian tradition as the birthplace of Jesus since the 2nd century. Bethlehem now has a Muslim majority, but is still home to a significant Palestinian Christian community. Bethlehem's chief economic sector is tourism, which peaks during the Christmas season when Christians make pilgrimage to the Church of the Nativity, as they have done for almost 2,000 years. Bethlehem has over 30 hotels and 300 handicraft workshops. Rachel's Tomb, an important Jewish holy site, is located at the northern entrance of Bethlehem.

The Church of Nativity in Bethlehem is an important pilgrimage route recognized by UNESCO. Discover tips for visiting jesus' birthplace on a Nativity Pilgrimage.

The Nativity Church in Krokhino, Russia. Abandoned in the 1960s when the level of a nearby lake was raised, for boat traffic. By smacss on Flickr

Today is the Feast Day of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, one of four celebrated throughout the church year. (The others are the Purification, 2 February; the Annunciation, 25 March; and the...

Braslav, Braslaw District, Vitebsk Voblast, Belarus. Aerial View Of Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary And Church of the Assumption.

For years, photographers have traveled across Russia finding and photographing intriguing ghost towns, empty Soviet factories, toppling houses, and crumbling churches.

We nemen vandaag een kijkje in de Basilica di San Francesco in Assisi, aan de hand van de zes mooist

The UCLA Library has acquired the largest private collection of Ethiopic manuscripts and scrolls in the U.S., given by Gerald and Barbara Weiner. Together with the library's existing collections, this gift makes the UCLA Library the leading repository for Ethiopic manuscripts in North America. A classical Semitic language, Ethiopic is used as the liturgical language

The Nativity Church of Krokhino, flooded during construction of the Volga-Baltic Waterway.Photograph: Grethe Ulgjell/Alamy

the holy birth place of Jesus - Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Palestine

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem has been made a World Heritage Site, together with three other sites in Israel, Indonesia and Morocco, UNESCO announced today 29 (June, 2012). With the 36th annual session of the World Heritage Committee still in progress in St Petersburg, ‘The Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route in Bethlehem, Palestine’ has been inscribed on UNESCO’s list of protected sites. The new entry also includes nearby Latin, Greek Orthodox, Franciscan, and Armenian convents and churches, as well as bell towers, terraced gardens and a pilgrimage route. Lying 10km outside Jerusalem, Christian tradition has identified

The Prince of Wales, 71, offered sympathy for the Palestinian people as he wished them 'freedom, justice and equality' while making a speech during a historic first visit to Bethlehem earlier today.

Troglodyte church in Göreme; every inch of this one is covered in paintings, extremely well preserved.

The Coptic tradition of iconography is one of which we know very little about in the West. So many of the ancient monuments were destroyed or came to disrepair as Copts in Egypt were subject to Isl…

Elder Hadji-Georgis the Athonite (+December 17th/30th 1886) (source) This great, yet previously little-known Elder of the Holy Mountain, was brought to light by St. Paisios, in his book on his life: Elder Hadji-Georgis the Athonite, translated into English and published in 1996 by Holy Monastery "Evangelist John the Theologian", Souroti, Thessaloniki, Greece. The Elder's life is truly incredible, and worth reading. From his youth, he served Christ, and experienced countless wonders. He lived as a very strict ascetic on Mount Athos, and serves as a great example for monastics and laity. As Elder Paisios writes: "It does not matter that the Church has not [officially] proclaimed him a Saint, in order to give him a halo. That which has great significance is the radiant life of the Elder, his simple and innocent and silent example. He was full of virtue and Divine powers, which he possessed within himself in order to help his fellow men. He preached Christ, even from afar. He worked wonders, he saw divine visions, and had the gift of clairvoiyance. He had much grace from God, which did not abandon him! When the uncovering of his Holy Relics occurred, an unspeakable fragrance permeated from the Relics." (source) May we all have his blessing! Elder Hadji-Georgis the Athonite, written by St. Paisios (source) Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

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Church of the Nativity Bethelem Early Christian Architecture | Interior styles | Architecture drawings. The page includes many detailed drawings. From a 1924 study of World Architecture. Original published lithograph. Will include a page to demonstrate the authenticity, age and publication details. The page is in excellent shape. It's two sided but there is no show through. The page may have edge chipping but it does not interfere with image. This print is printed on a single page that measures 9.25 by 5.75 inches. Also available matted for 8 by 10 frame. It would look lovely framed and displayed in your study. Come find other wonderful things in my shop: jbling.etsy.com

Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem. The inscribed property is situated 10 km south of Jerusalem on the site identified by Christian tradition as the birthplace of Jesus since the 2nd century. Bethlehem now has a Muslim majority, but is still home to a significant Palestinian Christian community. Bethlehem's chief economic sector is tourism, which peaks during the Christmas season when Christians make pilgrimage to the Church of the Nativity, as they have done for almost 2,000 years. Bethlehem has over 30 hotels and 300 handicraft workshops. Rachel's Tomb, an important Jewish holy site, is located at the northern entrance of Bethlehem.

The nativity is one of the most constant and familiar scenes in art history. Mark Hudson looks at the most important depictions of the starry night through the ages.

Explore arthistory390's 19696 photos on Flickr!

A mysterious religious artifact has surfaced during renovations at Bethlehem’s famous Church of the Nativity, officials say.

At All Hallow's Church, Savernake Road, on the south eastern corner of Hampstead Heath, Father David Houlding started the business of decorating his church on Wednesday. Today, Sunday December 23rd, is 'Advent IV,' the fourth Sunday in Advent, and so the Anglo-Catholic churches of north London have only Christmas Eve to get almost

The most amazing wonders of Cyprus are remnants of prehistoric settlements, ancient cities, Orthodox Christian churches with frescoes.

Read simple and easy to understand information and articles about the Greek Orthodox religion.

from: www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/12/dec-20-forefeast-of-nati...

In the mid-2000s, historian Anna Pegler-Gordon said that visual media often seems more accessible to her students than the written record. They claimed images make the past seem more accessible, giving concrete shape to a world that sometimes seems intangible. Not to mention the immediacy of the image, which often conveys information more quickly than a primary document written in an unfamiliar, or even a foreign, language. But according to Pegler-Gordon, this immediacy also works well in discussion sections, where the shared experience of viewing a picture can provide a focus for lively group discussion.

Can You Question The Virgin Birth And Still Be A Christian?