Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem

• Degradation of the architectural complex of the Church of the Nativity
• Development pressure
• Tourism pressure
• Housing
• Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation
• Management activities
• Management systems/ management plan (issue resolved)
• Water (rain/water table)

• Degradation of the architectural complex of the Church of the Nativity
• Development pressure
• Tourism pressure

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/6244

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/6244

To be submitted according to http://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/6244 

Total amount granted: USD 723,000 from Italy (Emergency Action Plan 1997-1998; Conservation and Management Plan 2006-2010); USD 205,000 from the Government of Sweden for building rehabilitation

On 1 December 2020, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1433/documents. Progress in addressing a number of conservation issues identified by the Committee at its previous sessions is presented in the report, as follows:

• Conservation work at the Church of Nativity has proceeded according to available funds. The restoration of marble tiles, stone columns, floor mosaics, and baptismal front, has been completed. The on-going work includes restoration of the Greek Orthodox iconostasis, and a survey, assessment and the development of a conservation plan for the Nativity Square;
• Based on the recommendation of the Conservation Management Plan, funds have been secured from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) for the elaboration of a risk preparedness plan for the Church of the Nativity;
• A list of remaining conservation activities has been provided, all of which are subject to fundraising;
• A Mobility Study – Transport and Mobility Strategy for the Conurbation of Bethlehem has been prepared and submitted with the report;
• Rehabilitation of Star Street and its branches has taken into account the 2016 joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Advisory mission, and the Mobility Study, restricting vehicle access. The upgrading of existing infrastructure, such as sewage, water, storm water and lighting networks, has been undertaken at Star Street, in addition to maintenance and conservation work. Economic incentives for inhabitants and shop owners have been implemented to encourage the revival of the street. Orient Star Street, and Al-Wardieh Street were also rehabilitated, which included the construction of a tunnel close to Bethlehem University, approaching John Paul II Street;
• A “Marketing Policies and Plan” has been prepared for Star Street. It aims at reviving the street as a sustainable, attractive pedestrian destination, while respecting its spiritual, religious, and historical values;
• Other initiatives launched by the Bethlehem Municipality include:
  • “Reinventing Public Space in Bethlehem”, which aims to improve the quality of public spaces in the Historic Centre,
  • Project for the installation of signage in all historical, archaeological, religious, cultural and touristic sites,
  • “3D Bethlehem”, aiming to create a reliable 3D database of the Historic Centre,
  • Adaptive reuse of two buildings in the framework of the “Specialitaly - Palestine” initiative, developed between Bethlehem Municipality and Italy’s Comacchio Municipality,
  • An emergency health clinic is being planned, and a Public Electronic Library is expected to be launched in 2021.

The report indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant disruption, with tourism being one of the most affected sectors. Implementation of some of the initiatives has been delayed. 

In recent years, the State Party has made significant progress with conservation work of high technical standard at the Church of the Nativity, addressing the necessary corrective measures, and elaborating a Conservation Management Plan, leading to the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2019 (Decision 43 COM 7A.28).

Progress reports have been provided about ongoing and completed work, in addition to information on planned future activities. The need to undertake further interventions to ensure the conservation of the property is noted. These comprise the restoration of the marble tiling at Bema area; structural consolidation at the two sides of the transept; installation of firefighting and microclimate control systems; restoration of the central nave stone tiling; restoration of the front yard and installation of electric hydraulic bollards; and consolidation of the Basilica external southern wall against seismic action – all of which require financial resources. It is recommended that the Committee express satisfaction for the continued high-quality conservation work and encourage the ongoing efforts to secure funding for the remaining needed interventions. The planned elaboration of a risk preparedness plan for the church is appreciated.

The “Mobility Study – Transport and Mobility Strategy for the Conurbation of Bethlehem” is a significant undertaking, which aims at arriving at a holistic approach to resolving traffic issues in the Bethlehem region, while taking into consideration cultural values and allowing for pedestrianisation.

The rehabilitation of Star Street and its branches, carried out by the State Party in line with the recommendations of the 2016 Advisory mission, is welcomed. However, details of the works have not been provided, which makes it difficult to assess their conformity with the recommendations of the ICOMOS technical review of 2019. In this regard, it is recommended that technical information on these interventions and for the unified signage strategy for cultural and touristic sites are provided.

The elaboration of Marketing Policies and Plan for Star Street is also welcomed. It would be beneficial to develop a design guide for shopfronts, as per the recommendations of the ICOMOS technical review.