The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is one of the few medieval monuments whose decoration
preserved even if partially in its original state until recently can be almost completely
reconstructed on behalf of surviving mosaics and wall paintings in situ inscriptions and rich
written evidence from the Middle Ages and early modern times. The decorative program dating
back to the third quarter of the twelfth century represents a unique testimony of its time
touching to historical theological and art-historical aspects.- The best experts of crusader
art in the Holy Land explain the equipment of the Church of the Nativity in its historical
art-historical and theological context- Of particular value are the photographs of Gustav
Kühnel important documents of the state of the mosaics before their restoration- With a new
edition of the mosaic inscriptions by Erich Lamberz in English translation
