Nativity scenes, or presepe, are very popular in Italy. Many homes would have one in pride of place at Christmas time.
The tradition started with St Francis of Assisi in 1223 with a live scene. From 1700 presepe became an art form when the aristocracy began to adorn their homes with elaborate nativity scenes.
Via San Grigorio Armeno in Naples has become known as Presepe Street. There are workshops where the presepe are made and dozens of shops showing off their wares. I saw thousands of incredibly detailed presepe when I was there.
As well as the stable with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in the manger, nativity scenes can grow to include village scenes. Some extended presepe would need a whole room to themselves.
An empty village waiting to be decorated.
Here is one with people.
There is no end to the variety of things you can add to your presepe.
Some are mechanised to make them even more interesting.
You can keep an eye on Mary keeping an eye on her baby.
There was a tiny museum as part of Naples underground featuring old presepe.
As well as the more traditional figures to add to your scene more modern figurines are available. You may wish to include Silvio Berlusconi or Amy Winehouse or a whole football team.
People love to visit the presepe area in Naples all year, but at Christmas it becomes crowded with those looking for the perfect addition to their nativity scene.
It would be fun to be there among the Christmas lights watching the tiny scenes eagerly trying to appeal to someone and be taken home to be adored.
Interesting! How big are these displays?
By: lisa@notesfromafrica on December 20, 2011
at 6:51 am
They vary, some would only be about 20 centimeters and others up to a metre. The detail in some of them is incredible.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 7:01 am
Wow. This the first Nativity scene I’ve seen that spoke of the community’s way of life and how they are touched by the spirit of Christmas and of the Holy family. Merry Christmas….
By: the island traveler on December 20, 2011
at 7:48 am
There are lots of scenes from village life represented in the presepe.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 7:57 am
…chissa forse riesco a fare un salto a napoli quest anno… mi manca
bel lavoro
good work
By: ilOOk streetstyle on December 20, 2011
at 8:33 am
Grazie! Mi piace molto Napoli.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 9:35 am
Lovely, thanks Deb,
Buon Natale,
Judy
By: Judy on December 20, 2011
at 9:35 am
I had fun collecting the photos. Merry Christmas to you too.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 10:15 am
Oh, my dear Debra, what a beautiful things they are… I am crazy with them… Thank you so much, they are all so beautiful… Happy New year and Merry Christmas for you and for dear Liz, with my love, nia
By: niasunset on December 20, 2011
at 10:53 am
The detail in some of these scenes is amazing. Merry Christmas to you too.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 11:14 am
I’ve never heard of presepe; so, thank you, Deb, for introducing us to this Italian concept. I love the detail in the Nativity scenes (very natural) and the Medieval themes of ‘community’ – such a refreshing change from the tawdry tinsel and flashing lights favoured as a custom in some countries. It would be interesting to do the Christmas themes around the world, how different countries interpret Christmas.
When we lived in Ft Wayne (USA) in 1989, there was an event about “Christmases around the World”, where each booth portrayed a different country celebrating Christmas. Because we were Australians, we decorated our booth with themes from a hot Australian summer including thongs, suncream and a fan alongside a table filled with a mixture of Australian ‘cool’ food (prawns) and English ‘hot food’ (Christmas cake) among other things. We had fun decorating the booth and attracted plenty of interested comments.
By: Sandra H on December 20, 2011
at 12:33 pm
We see Nativity scenes in the village sometimes. Marco used to put one beside his restaurant until one year somebody took baby Jesus from his crib and left a sign “Torno subito” ( back soon). Jesus was returned but Marco was not impressed.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 9:02 pm
Aren’t these just incredible! Fascinating, graphic and so skillfully done. I believe the ‘live’ nativity scene is still done, quite commonly, in a lot of towns and villages, an annual event that brings pride to the community…especially if you’re directly involved in it as one of the characters. And on that note:
Warm wishes to you and your family for a peaceful celebration (and lots of good eats) at this time; with a view to the new year, one full of hope and promise.
By: Caterina on December 20, 2011
at 2:00 pm
Merry Christmas to you too. A live Nativity would be fun to watch.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 9:05 pm
I can’t get over how real they look. I like the one where the sheep are being sheered–and the woman with the fountain. Fascinating post, Deb.
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on December 20, 2011
at 2:17 pm
Some of the scenes are very realistic. I loved wandering in this area.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 21, 2011
at 12:01 am
Thanks Debra for having posted about the huge and great Naples tradition of cribs!
All this is true pop-art (popular art) in the sense that it borns and grows on the streets, reflecting the streets!
By: roberto alborghetti on December 20, 2011
at 3:15 pm
I found the detail in some of these scenes fascinating.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 9:05 pm
Beautiful photos of the presepi, Debra! I told you once that the custom of setting up these nativity scenes have spread from Naples to many other places in the world. In Spain, they became very popular when King Charles III, who also was King of Naples, was crowned King of Spain. He brought with him several neapolitan “presepi” which can still be admired and are put on display at the Royal Palace in Madrid. They became extremely popular and the custom spread throughout Spain and also Latin America.
I am currently in San Francisco, and yesterday I went to St Mary’s Catholic Shop. I found there quite a few “presepi” for sale, some of them from Italy (Fontanini), but also from other countries.
In Bagni di Lucca, “presepi” making is not only a tradition, but also a source of income for many families.
A beautiful “presepe” from my neighbours, the Barsantis, is on display at the special museum for nativity sets in Bethlehem.
By: Anonymous on December 20, 2011
at 4:06 pm
I want to visit your neighbours to see their work. I will definitely get there when I return to Bagni di Lucca.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 9:06 pm
They certainly are very detailed. I love the food stalls.
By: Just Add Attitude on December 20, 2011
at 4:21 pm
The butcher shops look very realistic
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 9:07 pm
I agree that I have never seen (or thought of) the community’s participation or closeness with the nativity scene. Thanks so much for sharing this, Debra — beautiful pictures! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
By: Karen Overton on December 20, 2011
at 4:27 pm
Don’t miss this area if you go to Naples, it is fascinating.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 9:07 pm
The first two photos took me back to my youth in Panama, they looked so familiar I could relate. We always built owr own nativity sets, and kept adding new figurines to it each year. They were beautiful works of art, just like the ones you show here. Thanks for the memories!
By: Marcia Clarke on December 20, 2011
at 6:09 pm
We drove to the south of Australia one year around Christmas time and we saw Nativity scenes in many small towns. I wish I had photographed them, some were amazing.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 9:09 pm
How fabulous! Three nativity scene was always pride of place in our house at christmas, but they never where a grand as this!
By: Meg@Thelegaltart on December 20, 2011
at 9:22 pm
Some of them were very elaborate.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 9:50 pm
They are so detailed! I remember seeing some amazing ones in Austria, it seems like a really European thing 🙂
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on December 20, 2011
at 10:09 pm
Nativity scenes made in Napoli are sent all over the world.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 10:41 pm
URGH! I love them things. Ima miss them esp. having lived in Naples for two Christmases.
By: rommel on December 21, 2011
at 12:46 am
Lucky you living in Naples for a time. I love this city!!!
By: Debra Kolkka on December 21, 2011
at 12:50 am
And ow, I watch presepe vivente last year too.
By: rommel on December 21, 2011
at 12:48 am
It is good to know that living presepe are still happening.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 21, 2011
at 12:51 am
How intricate! It takes playing with doll’s houses to a whole new level.
By: Rosa on December 21, 2011
at 9:51 am
I don’t suppose the children are allowed to play with these.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 21, 2011
at 11:58 am
Oh such detail in them! They look fantastic. I would find that hard not to buy a few.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on December 21, 2011
at 7:22 pm
Deb, they look amazing! Especially the ones with the food vendors!! Sooo intricate and lifelike!
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on December 21, 2011
at 10:29 pm
I particularly like the food ones. You could reach out and eat some of those things, mind you, you would need a lot, they are very tiny.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 21, 2011
at 10:34 pm
Wow! I really must be sure to be in Italy during Christmas some year!
By: Julie Hedlund on December 23, 2011
at 12:06 am
I want to be there for Christmas as well, hopefully with snow.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 23, 2011
at 12:09 am
Hi Debra, my wife and i were in Ravello and while there we saw some figurines that were very similar to these, but we did not get their contact info. Are the ones you picture available on a website where they can be purchased?
Thank you, Darryl
By: Darryl on December 17, 2013
at 2:38 am
I didn’t get details of any of the retailers, but I sure if you google nativity scenes you will come up with some companies who make them.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 17, 2013
at 5:22 am