Shepherd's Sanctuary
Shepherd's Sanctuary
4.4
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 11:45 AM
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.4
131 reviews
Excellent
57
Very good
63
Average
11
Poor
0
Terrible
0
stevebintley
Bedford, UK9,233 contributions
Aug 2022
It’s a pretty remote area but totally worth visiting for the history and story behind it, especially if you visit with a guide who can explain everything. The church isn’t the largest nor most elaborate but it’s the simplicity which is memorable. The number of people inside is limited giving the opportunity to take in all the paintings properly and the surrounding grounds are equally as impressive when you understand the background. Certainly worth a visit.
Written October 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda S
Auckland Central, New Zealand249 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
This is not so much a place to go and see but a place to go and be. It was interesting to get an idea of how the shepherds lived and to understand their location as it related to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The cave I wouldn't stay in for the presentation as there appeared to be black mould growing in the roof and the air seemed close and unhealthy. I was also a little perturbed that the tabernacle in the church was left swinging open and someone had put money in it? Come on my Franciscan Brothers sort this out. Having said all this I found among all the busyness of travelling here outside in the lovely grounds was a place of tranquility affording you personal space and calmness.
Written April 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,686 contributions
Jan 2020
It was here, east of Bethlehem in what is now the Palestinian West Bank, that the Angel of the Lord visited the shepherds and announced the birth of Christ. Today, a park-like area overlooks the valley, and with sheep bleating in the distance, it doesn’t take much imagination to visualize that first Christmas night. Ruins suggest that the area has been occupied since the time of Jesus and venerated since the mid-4th century. Both the Roman Catholics and the Greek Orthodox each have their own Shepherds' Field, less than 600 meters from each other. The ‘Status Quo’, a religious understanding dating back to 1757 for 9 shared religious sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, applies here. Not to be missed: The 1953 Franciscan Roman Catholic Chapel of the Angels. The chapel was designed by Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi to resemble a shepherd’s tent, complete with a small starry dome. The painted murals are stunning, with each wall displaying a part of the birth narrative from Luke’s Gospel. And then there’s the Chapel acoustics – amazing! We were treated to a spontaneous rendition of ‘Silent Night’ by another group of pilgrims and it was indeed a special moment.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ECLadines
Paranaque, Philippines2,721 contributions
Apr 2020
This is inside the vast Shepherds Field. We went inside a small cave before heading to the church with a bronze (looks dark) statue of an angel of the shepherds. Inside there are murals depicting the birth of Jesus and the visitation of the angels. There were not much people around when we went there so less stressful walking around.
Written April 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim G
Pacific Grove, CA3,898 contributions
Dec 2019
Upon entering the tree-lined area, visitors are greeted by a tall, imposing fountain supported by stone-carved sheep and sheep-head spigots, with a shepherd presiding over the sheep from atop. Transition to the lovely Roman Catholic Sanctuary designed by Italian, Antonio Barluzzi, which celebrates the birth of Christ being revealed to the lowly shepherds. Look above the entry to see the impressive angel, heralding the birth of our Lord. Behind this Sanctuary is a cave (or grotto), where worship has transpired throughout the centuries. An expansive view overlooking the rocky fields down to the valley brings clarity to the difficult job of the shepherds throughout the ages. This impressive site left us spiritually moved as we listened in on a Scriptural reading and Bible Study, being conducted overlooking the Shepherds' Fields.
Written November 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manfredd
Muar, Malaysia1,055 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Shepherd's Field is in Beit Sahour near Bethlehem in the West Bank of Palestine. It was where the angels heralded the good news. The Birth of Christ was announced to shepherds instead of the nobles and the pious. They were later directed by the angels to a stable.
Early churches and chapels were built around this pasture site. More European Christians came with the Crusaders. They were in various orthodoxy and denominations.
We are inside the Chapel of Angels. It was built next to the ruins. Antonio Barluzzi was the architect in 1953. The Franciscan Order ministered to this church.
Early churches and chapels were built around this pasture site. More European Christians came with the Crusaders. They were in various orthodoxy and denominations.
We are inside the Chapel of Angels. It was built next to the ruins. Antonio Barluzzi was the architect in 1953. The Franciscan Order ministered to this church.
Written April 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shareef Jibreen Palestine guide
Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories90 contributions
Apr 2022 • Business
The shephered field is the place where the angels appeared to the shephereds and told them about the news of Jesus birth.. It is located in Bethlehem.. We meet tourists at bus station 231 in Bethlehem and then visit the area in my private car
Written April 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Palestine Tours
Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories215 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
The shepherd field locates in west bank in Bethlehem. It was the place where angels appeared the shepherd and told them about the birth of Jesus the Christ..there tourists can have a look to see some of the caves from ancient times . There is a church from the 5th century. When tourists visit there, they can have a look at the towers of Nativity church up on the hill and they can imagine the space between both sides. This is one of the main churches in Bethlehem which must be visited by tourists
Written January 21, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FredPurdue
Seattle, WA2,268 contributions
Jan 2020
There is much history associated with this site, but it also presents a number of interesting subjects to photograph. Generally, be aware that the grotto will have masses scheduled for pilgrims and it can be crowded. Travel light, so forget tripods. My DSRL with a zoom lens gave flexibility for wide angle, telephoto, and wide ISO. The grounds include a monastery ruin, a challenge due to monochrome nature. The Byzantine Church is interesting from the outside. Inside think about stitching to get the altar and dome. The Grotto is quite dark and leads to areas lacking detail. Post-processing may be needed.
Written May 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IlyaNJ
Marlboro, NJ986 contributions
Nov 2019
An interesting religious and archaeological site, highlighted by the caves that have been and are used as chapels. Small newish chapel at the top of the complex.
Written December 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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