The Significance of Olive Wood From Bethlehem

Every piece of Bethlehem olive wood starts as a branch a farmer pruned. The tree stays standing but a carver turns that branch into a cross or a nativity scene.

This guide shows how the craft began and what it takes to make one piece.

Quick answer: Bethlehem olive wood comes from pruned olive branches, carved by hand in a craft that Mahmoud Hawari of the Palestinian Museum dates to the 4th century.

Why Bethlehem

The craft grew around the Church of the Nativity. Wikipedia says carving began in the 4th century, after the church was built.

Greek Orthodox monks taught local residents to carve olive wood.

Our guide to olive wood crosses and the churches of Bethlehem goes deeper into the church itself.

A craft that grew in waves

The next wave came in the 16th and 17th centuries, under Ottoman rule.

Carving became a major industry in Bethlehem and the nearby towns of Beit Sahour and Beit Jala. Italian and Franciscan artisans on pilgrimage taught residents at the time.

Another wave followed in the late 19th century, when tourism to the Holy Land grew.

The tree itself has a long history too. Read olive wood: the history, benefits and uses.

Where the wood comes from

Carvers do not cut down olive trees for this.

• The branches come from pruning, so the trees are not harmed.

• Artisans buy them from local farmers soon after the October harvest.

• Buying early keeps ants out of the wood, one shop owner says.

• Branches also come from the Nablus and Tulkarm region, though moving wood across the West Bank is hard.

From branch to carving

A piece goes through four steps.

• Drill: machines cut the rough shape. This is about 15% of the work.

• Chisel: a skilled artisan carves the details by hand.

• Sand and polish.

• Coat with olive wax.

Some pieces take up to 45 days, but a large nativity set takes about a year, Religion News reported.

Professional artisans typically train for six to seven years.

See how these sets end up in homes in how home olive wood nativities bring the true reason for the season.

What Bethlehem carvers make

• Mother and Child statues

• Nativity scenes, from palm-sized to cathedral-scale

• Rosaries

• Crosses

• Salad spoons

A small cross you hold in your hand is covered in everything you need to know about olive wood comfort holding crosses.

Questions about Bethlehem olive wood

When did olive wood carving start in Bethlehem?

Mahmoud Hawari of the Palestinian Museum says carving has supported Christians there since the 4th century. It became a major industry in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Are olive trees cut down for it?

No. The branches come from pruning.

Giving olive wood as a gift?

Each piece is carved by hand, so each one is different. For ideas, see best Catholic gifts rooted in faith and the Holy Land.

How long does one piece take?

Some take up to 45 days. A large nativity set takes about a year.

How long do carvers train?

Professional artisans typically train for six to seven years.