20-12-2023
Events
Traditional Christmas crib: between past and present
From the oldest nativity scene of the world to the floating Christmas crib in Cesenatico, without forgetting about the international exhibition in the Vatican.
Nowadays, we are used to set up or even simply admire Christmas cribs or Passion cribs. However, it often happens that we do not stop thinking about their ancient origins.
Starting from the beginning, the word nativity scene comes from the Latin word "praesepium," which means stable, manger, and it represents a realistic depiction of the nativity of Jesus Christ. The birth of Christ was first treated by the evangelists Luke and Matthew, becoming over time one of the dominant themes of sacred art. Over the centuries, but even now, you can admire many different representations depicting the event, starting with painters such as Botticelli, Giotto, and Correggio, but also sculptors such as Arnolfo di Cambio.
The first realistic and living nativity scene was represented thanks to St. Francis Greggio, during the Christmas time of the1223. The event was later reproduced by Giotto in his fresco in the Upper Basilica of Assisi. A few centuries later, thanks to St. Gaetano of Thiene, the culture of the popular nativity scene was then born.
Those who are more curious should also visit the floating nativity scene in Cesenatico (Emilia- Romagna) or the one in Olmedo (Sardinia), where a special and striking reproduction of the Nativity scene is made with a simple element: bread. Interesting is also the international exhibition "100 Nativity Scenes in the Vatican," a display held every year in St. Peter's Square attended by artisans from all over the world.
Starting from the beginning, the word nativity scene comes from the Latin word "praesepium," which means stable, manger, and it represents a realistic depiction of the nativity of Jesus Christ. The birth of Christ was first treated by the evangelists Luke and Matthew, becoming over time one of the dominant themes of sacred art. Over the centuries, but even now, you can admire many different representations depicting the event, starting with painters such as Botticelli, Giotto, and Correggio, but also sculptors such as Arnolfo di Cambio.
The first realistic and living nativity scene was represented thanks to St. Francis Greggio, during the Christmas time of the1223. The event was later reproduced by Giotto in his fresco in the Upper Basilica of Assisi. A few centuries later, thanks to St. Gaetano of Thiene, the culture of the popular nativity scene was then born.
THE WORLD'S OLDEST NATIVITY SCENE AND THE FLOATING ONE
There are several types of models of Christmas cribs, from the one which is more classic, made of wood or clay to more contemporary models made of metal, plexiglass or crystal. For those who could be interested, the world's oldest nativity scene comes from the 13th Century in the Basilica of Santo Stefano in Bologna.Those who are more curious should also visit the floating nativity scene in Cesenatico (Emilia- Romagna) or the one in Olmedo (Sardinia), where a special and striking reproduction of the Nativity scene is made with a simple element: bread. Interesting is also the international exhibition "100 Nativity Scenes in the Vatican," a display held every year in St. Peter's Square attended by artisans from all over the world.