806. THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE BASILICA OF THE CHURCH OF NATIVITY. THERE ARE THREE GATES VISIBLE ON THIS ANCIENT (BYZANTINE) WALL: THE LARGEST (SQUARE SHAPE) WAS THE MONUMENTAL ENTRANCE OF THE CONSTANTINE CHURCH, THE THE SMALLER ARCHED GATE REPLACED THE SQUARE ONE FOR SECURITY REASONS, THE ENTRANCE USED TODAY IS THE SMALL SQUARE OPENING, BUILT IN THE LAST CENTURY, THE OPENING WAS MADE SMALL IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNINVITED VISITORS FROM ENTERING THE CHURCH ON CAMELS OR HORSES
Photograph by Zev Radovan
