Adjacent to the church is a low natural cave which visitors can enter. The natural rock shelter has a soot-blackened ceiling from years of smoke from the fires of inhabitants. The cave has been partially enclosed to form a small chapel with the natural rough hewed walls.
Mosaic floor discovered in the Nativity Basilica [Church of the Nativity] of Bethlehem during process of restoration work in August, 1934. Excavation in the floor of the nave showing the Byzantine mosaic floor originally laid in the 4th century.
The Church of the Nativity is interesting in that it is home to three different religions: Greek Orthodox, Catholic, and Armenian Orthodox. A Muslim holds the black wrought iron key to the church. Originally, Muslims were commissioned to hold the key to keep the peace among the three Christian religions using the church.
