Olive wood carving is Bethlehem’s signature craft, a tradition that dates back centuries and continues to employ hundreds of families in the town and its surrounding villages. The olive tree has deep roots in the Holy Land, both literally and symbolically: it is the tree of peace (the dove returned to Noah with an olive branch, Genesis 8:11), the tree of anointing (kings and priests were anointed with olive oil), and the tree that grows on the hillsides where Jesus prayed.
Craft
Bethlehem’s carvers work with olive wood from pruned or fallen trees, never cutting down living trees for wood. The olive wood is hard, dense, and beautifully grained, with swirling patterns of light and dark that make each piece unique. Traditional items include nativity sets, crosses, rosaries, figurines of the Holy Family, and ornamental boxes. The finest work is done by hand, with detail that requires years of training to master. Nativity sets range from simple, rustic pieces to elaborate multi-figure compositions that are genuine works of art.
Workshops
The main carving workshops are concentrated in Bethlehem and the nearby town of Beit Sahour. Visitors can watch carvers at work, see the process from raw wood to finished product, and purchase directly from the artisans. The best workshops welcome visitors into their studios, explain the techniques, and demonstrate the carving process. Buying from these workshops supports the local Christian community, which has been declining due to emigration.
Symbolism
For Christian pilgrims, olive wood from the Holy Land carries a special significance. A cross carved from a Bethlehem olive tree, purchased in the town where Jesus was born, is both a souvenir and a sacred object. The connection between the material (olive wood), the place (Bethlehem), and the subject (the nativity, the cross) creates a layered meaning that makes these objects more than decorative.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
Hoshen Tours visits olive wood workshops in Bethlehem where visitors can watch the craft, meet the artisans, and purchase directly from the makers.