Iconic sites reopen as world eyes life after COVID-19 lockdown

In Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity - built on the spot where Christians believe their saviour Jesus was born - reopened its doors after more than two months. | Bishop Theophylactos reopens Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity as Palestinian authorities eased coronavirus restrictions in the occupied West Bank.

Italy's world-famous archeological site Pompeii has reopened to the public. But with foreign tourists still prohibited from travel to Italy until June, the site that attracted just under 4 million visitors in 2019 is hoping that for now, Italian tourists can make up at least a fraction of the difference.

Tourists wearing protective masks are pictured at St. Mark's Square. Many of the hardest-hit nations, including Italy and Spain, are trying to salvage their summer tourism seasons - the latest tentative steps out of lockdown buoying world markets.

Wall Street stocks surged early Tuesday on optimism about coronavirus vaccines as the New York Stock Exchange resumed physical floor trading for the first time since late March.

The Vatican too has relaxed its lockdown, announcing that Pope Francis will address the faithful once more from his window overlooking Saint Peter's Square on Sunday.

People sit on a bench in the square outside the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Reims in Reims, northern France.

People wearing face masks walk at Trocadero square near the Eiffel Tower, as France began a gradual end to a nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 in Paris, France.

Less than two months after detecting its first infection, Montenegro is the first country in Europe to declare itself coronavirus-free, a success story the tiny country hopes will lure tourists to its dazzling Adriatic coast this summer

Rome's Colosseum, Italy's most visited tourist site, will reopen on June 1, 2020 after being closed for more than two months due to the pandemic, and will be illuminated for the occasion in Italian colours, official sources said on May 26, 2020.

Peru will allow some locals free admission to Machu Picchu and other archeological sites in a bid to kickstart its tourist industry, the government said on May 12.