A quick guide to Christmas cribs and Nativity scenes to visit in Rome over the festive season.
100 Presepi
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Vatican Nativity scene
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This Christmas in St Peter's Square, the Vatican's Nativity scene is from Grado, a seaside town in the northern Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy. The floating Nativity has a maritime theme with fishermen and traditional boats on a lagoon along with thatched huts and 3-D renderings of birds.
In St Peter’s Square tonight, the Vatican evokes the first living Nativity scene created by St Francis in Greccio 800 years ago, with life-size terracotta figures dressed in 13th-century attire. pic.twitter.com/nm2SF1ikBB— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) December 9, 2023
The crib scene, which is set up beside the Vatican's Christmas tree, can be admired until 12 January 2025.
SS. Cosma e Damiano
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Epic Nativity scene at SS. Cosma e Damiano near the Colosseum. #Rome pic.twitter.com/Tv0ZE0a9ir— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) December 12, 2021
This monumental Neapolitan Nativity scene features a vast number of wooden and ceramic figures including shepherds, artisans and street vendors.
Basilica di S. Maria Maggiore
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The oldest sculptural nativity in the world can be found at the Basilica di S. Maria Maggiore near the central Termini station. Artist Arnolfo di Cambio was commissioned by Pope Niccolò V to create the marble figurines between 1290 and 1291. The Franciscan pope was inspired by St Francis of Assisi, creator of the first living nativity, in Greccio, in 1223.
Piazza di Spagna
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Rome traditionally sets up a large Nativity scene in Piazza di Spagna*, at the foot of the Spanish Steps, the work of artist Angelo Urbani del Fabbretto with the collaboration of Vincenzo Confidati. Inaugurated in 1965, the crib scene reproduces a corner of Rome animated by characters dressed in 19th-century attire. Pasquino the talking statue also makes an appearance. *To be confirmed for 2024.
S. Maria in Via
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Street cleaners' crib
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