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Star Street
The oldest street in Bethlehem, Star street is the traditional entrance to the old city. Today, it remains the route taken by Patriarchs on Christmas Eve to the Church of Nativity. This one kilometer-long street starts from the Catholic Action Club where recent renovations have constructed a small square with a few steps in the center leading to a narrow platform where a sculpture is planned to sit in the near future. Once a center of economic life, the changing tourist routes in the years following the Israeli occupation brought it to detriment, causing the shops to close down.
The street has been recently renovated by the Bethlehem 2000 authority supported by the Spanish Cooperation and it is slowly regaining the splendor of the past. On December 15th, the Bethlehem Christmas Market was opened in this street. Merchants from all over Palestine are exhibiting traditional handicrafts, arts, souvenirs, and food in 20 shops along the street. Following the initiative of the Bethlehem 2000 project, many shopkeepers decided to reopen their shops for the incoming tourists. With music and occasional live performances, the Christmas Market which is open until the 6th of January promises life back to this marvelous street in the heart of the Old City of Bethlehem.