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Milk Grotto - Bethlehem

Introduction

The entrance to the cave of Milk Grotto in Bethlehem is through a small arch of the Franciscan chapel built above it. Above the entrance of the cave, a photo shows Mary clutching baby Jesus in her arms. Visitors take stairs which lead to another door which opens into the cave and a church. It is believed that the Holy Family took refuge here during the Slaughter of the Innocents, before their flight into Egypt. On left side of the cave and here it shows Mary breast feeding Jesus.

Entrance to the Milk Grotto from the street level in Bethlehem
Entrance to the Milk Grotto from the street level in Bethlehem
This grotto has a Franciscan chapel built above it
This grotto has a Franciscan chapel built above it
A photo showing Mary clutching baby Jesus in her arms above the main entrance
This door leads to the steps which bring visitors to the cave of the Milk Grotto
This door leads to the steps which bring visitors to the cave of the Milk Grotto
Beautiful tiles on the entrance to the Milk Grotto - Bethlehem
Here stairs are shown and the door which opens into the cave and a church
A small decorative fountain like object (possibly Turkish) on the wall
A small decorative fountain like object (possibly Turkish) on the wall
Details above the door - Milk Grotto Bethlehem
The Holy Family took refuge here during the Slaughter of the Innocents
A small church inside the cave
A small church inside the cave

Rock inside the Cave

This grotto is hollowed out of soft white rock and this rock is considered holy by new mothers. Some women mix soft white chalk with their food, and praying to Our Lady of the Milk for increase in their milk. According to tradition a drop of Mary’s milk fell upon the stone and it turned white.

People send letters and baby pictures from around the world to the Milk Grotto for good luck and blessings. A corridor or tunnel leads to other part of the cave where there is another church.

This photos shows the middle of the cave with cordoned off area
This photos shows the middle of the cave with cordoned off area
A picture of Mary holding baby Jesus
Rock of the Milk Grotto cave
Rock of the Milk Grotto cave
This area was on the left side of the cave
It shows Mary breast feeding Jesus
It shows Mary breast feeding Jesus
According to tradition a drop of Mary’s milk fell upon the stone and it turned white
According to tradition a drop of Mary’s milk fell upon the stone and it turned white
There were only few visitors inside the cave
Rock in corner has two paths and a locked door opens into a small courtyard
Rock in corner has two paths and a locked door opens into a small courtyard
This corridor or tunnel leads to other part of the cave
This corridor or tunnel leads to other part of the cave
There is a church at the end of the corridor
Two visitors are praying in the church
Two visitors are praying in the church
A sculpture of Mary and Jesus - Milk Grotto Bethlehem
A broken column inside the church
A broken column inside the church
Letters and baby pictures inside the Milk Grotto Cave
Letters and baby pictures inside the Milk Grotto Cave