Editing Church of the Nativity (section)

===Basilica of the Nativity===
[[File:BethlehemInsideCN.jpg|thumb|Interior–northern aisles (left) and [[chancel]] (right)–before the latest renovations]]
[[File:Bethlehem-Nativity-140.jpg|thumb|The chancel with gilded iconostasis (2019)]]

The main '''Basilica of the Nativity''' is maintained by the [[Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem|Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem]]. It is designed like a typical Roman basilica, with five aisles formed by [[Corinthian columns]], and an [[apse]] in the eastern end containing the [[sanctuary]].

The basilica is entered through a very low door called the "Door of Humility."<ref name=Madden/>

The church's interior walls feature medieval golden [[mosaic]]s once covering the side walls, which are now in large parts lost.<ref name=Madden/>

The original Roman-style floor of the basilica has been covered over with flagstones, but there is a trap door in the floor which opens up to reveal a portion of the original mosaic pavement from the Constantinian basilica.<ref name=Madden>{{cite journal |last=Madden |first=A. M. |title=A Revised Date for the Mosaic Pavements of the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem |journal=Ancient West and East |volume=11 |year=2012 |pages=147–190}}</ref>

There are 44 columns separating the aisles from each other and from the nave, some of which are painted with images of saints, such as the Irish monk [[Catald]] (fl. 7th century), the [[Patron saint|patron]] of the [[Norman conquest of southern Italy|Sicilian Normans]], [[Canute IV of Denmark|Canute IV]] (c. 1042–1086), king of Denmark, and [[Olaf II of Norway|Olaf II]] (995–1030), king of Norway.<ref name=OConnor/>

The east end of the church consists of a raised [[chancel]], closed by an apse containing the main altar and separated from the chancel by a large gilded [[iconostasis]].

A complex array of [[sanctuary lamp]]s is placed throughout the entire building.

The open ceiling exposes the wooden rafters, recently restored. The previous 15th-century restoration used beams donated by King [[Edward IV of England]], who also donated lead to cover the roof; however, this lead was taken by the [[Ottoman Turks]], who melted it down for ammunition to use in war against [[Venice]].

Stairways on either side of the chancel lead down to the Grotto.