The site is located in the city of Bethlehem, about 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem. It is the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The World Heritage Site of the “Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route” was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2012 under criteria (iv) and (vi) as a exceptional example of early church architecture from the 4th and 6th centuries AD, following the Roman Empire's conversion to Christianity. The architectural style of the church demonstrates the power and influence of Christianity during the Crusader period, and its impact on the church's architecture, decoration, religious and spiritual practices, as well as the three main monasteries built around it, forming a religious and spiritual symbol for more than two billion Christians in the world.
The Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route have outstanding universal value due to their association with the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the Savior and founder of one of the world's greatest religions. This value is evident in the temporal and spatial linkage of the church and the pilgrimage route, reflecting exceptional Christian religious, spiritual, and political dimensions and influences for over 1,500 years. The Church of the Nativity is connected to the Pilgrimage Route, the path that linked Jerusalem to the traditional entrance of Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity. This street hosts annual celebrations during Christmas as it is the route taken by Mary and Joseph during their journey to Bethlehem, and it is where the patriarchs of the three churches conduct ceremonies during their official visits to Bethlehem.
Since at least the second century AD, it is believed that the Grotto of the Nativity within the Church of the Nativity is the exact place where Jesus was born. It is one of the holiest Christian sites in the world, marking the beginning of Christianity. The first church (the Church of St. Helena) was built on this site in 339 AD, and during the reign of Emperor Justinian (6th century AD), the current church was constructed on the ruins of the original church, some parts of which are still visible. In the early Middle Ages, the church was integrated into a complex of other ecclesiastical buildings, particularly monasteries, forming an exceptional architectural ensemble. The Church of the Nativity and its later architectural additions are the oldest Christian church still in use today. It is overseen by the Greek Orthodox Church, the Custody of the Holy Land, and the Armenian Church according to the Status Quo of the holy places established by the Treaty of Berlin in 1878.