Shepherd's Sanctuary
Shepherd's Sanctuary
4.5
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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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
129 reviews
Excellent
56
Very good
63
Average
11
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Daniel L
Apex, NC629 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Cool to see and learn about the caves where the shepherds supposedly had lived, and how exactly they did it. Chapel on the site is a pretty nice thing as well.
Written 4 December 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.
SmartTraveler
Muar, Malaysia658 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 12 April 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.
Brenda S
Auckland Central, New Zealand42 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 3 April 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.
stevebintley
Bedford, UK6,986 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 2 October 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.
smvNYC
New York City, NY335 contributions
Jun 2022
As we were making our way back to Bethlehem, we stopped at Shepperd's Sanctuary. As were explained, it is not clear if the location is the place where the biblical shepherds took refuge but it is an area where shepherds lived at the time.
Written 10 August 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.
Lynette L
Wichita Falls, TX18 contributions
Jun 2022
Beautiful place to tour. Just being in the Holy Land is an awesome
experience! Cannot describe the complete feeling I got while there!
experience! Cannot describe the complete feeling I got while there!
Written 19 July 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.
Shareef Jibreen Palestine guide
Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories54 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 7 April 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.
Kim G
Pacific Grove, CA3,187 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 15 November 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.
FredPurdue
Seattle, WA2,240 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 18 May 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, Philippines2,801 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 27 April 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.
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Claim your listingShepherd's Sanctuary - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Shepherd's Sanctuary
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Shepherd's Sanctuary:
- Travel to Bethlehem Half Day Guided Tour from Jerusalem & TelAviv (From HK$389.72)
- Tour From Jerusalem & Tel Aviv: Half Day Travel to Bethlehem (From HK$389.72)
- Mount of Temptation, Saint George Monestary, Saint Saba & Bethlehem One Day Tour (From HK$779.44)
- Full-Day Bethlehem, Jericho, and Jordan River Tour (From HK$763.85)
- Bethlehem Half Day Private Tour - Pick up from Jerusalem/Tel Aviv/Ashdod (From HK$2,494.19)
- Hotels near Shepherd's Sanctuary:
- (0.01 km) Sheperds Field
- (0.17 km) Manoly Plaza Hotel
- (0.18 km) Shepherds' House
- (0.37 km) Eman Regency Hotel - Bethlehem
- (0.51 km) Sahara Hotel
- Restaurants near Shepherd's Sanctuary:
- (0.01 km) The Tent Restaurant
- (0.01 km) Grotto Restaurant
- (0.16 km) Cheers Restaurant
- (0.21 km) Shepherds Nai
- (0.22 km) The Shepherd's Tower Restaurant