The Church of Nativity

        For most Christians , the Church of Nativity is the cradle of Christianity and one of the earliest Christian structures. The original Basilica, erected in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine and completely destroyed in the Samaritan Revolt of 529 AD, was replaced during the reign of Justinian (527-65) on the same site, by a larger Basilica, slightly different in plan and incorporating different parts of the original building. This Basilica was built in the shape of a cross with a trilateral apse.