The Christmas crib

Nativity cribs bask in festive glory these days.

A collection of 165 nativity scenes from all over the world is on display at the Sala del Bramante in Piazza del Popolo in Rome until mid-January.

The exhibit tells the history of the Christmas crèche, also known as the nativity scene, which dates back to the days of early Christianity.

Indeed, pilgrims visited the supposed site of the manger as early as the 2nd century AD, often coming back with bits of rock from the site. Such relics were used to reconstruct manger scenes in Christian churches, and as early as the mid-7th century, Saint Mary Major in Rome boasted a replica of the Bethlehem stable made with original bits of rock.

However, tradition attributes Saint Francis of Assisi with the "invention" in 1223 of the type of crib we know today.

Some 60 years later, the Florentine artist and architect Arnolfo di Cambio sculpted what is considered to be the oldest existing "presepe," as manger scenes are known in Italy. The display is kept in a small chapel in the crypt of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

Popularized by the Jesuits, who took nativity scenes to Japan, India and China, the Christmas crib enjoyed great success in 18th century Italy, especially in Naples and Sicily.

Indeed, in 18th and 19th century Neapolitan homes, nativity scenes became a must. From the royal palaces to the smallest house, competition to display the most beautiful figures and the most elaborate scenes was intense.

The magnificent Royal Palace of Caserta in southern Italy houses the only surviving royal Christmas crib. Recently restored, it was started by the Bourbon king Charles III in the mid-18th century and soon became a collective activity of the court.

Each year, members of the royal family and court artists reproduced the setting by adding new figures and ultimately creating one of the grandest illusionistic Neapolitan nativity scenes.

Again, here is my personal rendition of this unique nativity scene: Merry Christmas to all of you!

Photos: courtesy of 100 Presepi
Video:
Produced by Rossella Lorenzi
Pictures - courtesy of Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali
Music - courtesy of Kevin MacLeod at - Incompetech.com