Il Presepe: The Italian Nativity Scene

Ciao amici,

I hope everyone’s holiday season is going smoothly so far, we just have a few days left before Christmas!

If you’ve ever been to Italy around Christmastime, you will notice that every piazza, church and home has a nativity scene set up. Big or small, the nativity scene (Il presepe in Italian) is a fundamental decoration because unlike Christmas trees or Santa Claus, it originated in Italy.

The first nativity scenes were painted on the walls of catacombs by early Christians during the Roman Empire. In 1223, Francesco d’Assisi created the first live nativity scene in Greccio, a small town in Central Italy. Sixty years later, sculptor Arnolfo di Cambio created the first nativity scene with marble figures.

Over the next centuries, artists started interpreting the nativity scene using the details from their cities, landscapes, folklore and clothing. For example, in Naples, the scene may also include figurines of a sleeping shepherd, washerwoman, fisherman, hunter, drunkard and beggars, just to name a few. Each one of these characters carries symbolism and a story contributing to the meaning of Christmas.

Send me a note if you want a list of all of the characters found on a southern Italian nativity scene with explanations. This topic is also a great 1-hour class (virtual or in-person) that you can gift to your friends and family for the perfect holiday experience.

For more information about booking a seminar, please visit my website 

Buon Natale!Lisa