The Nativity scene is one of the Christmas traditions most deeply rooted in Spain. In fact it is the
decorative element that most characterizes Spanish Christmas. The manger has its origin in
the Middle Ages; a nativity scene was set up for the commemoration of the birth of the Baby
Jesus on Christmas Eve of 1223, when St Francis of Assisi decided to reproduce the
Christian tradition in a cave near the hermitage of Greccio (Italy).
In Spain, the Nativity scene arrived in the mid-eighteenth century, when Charles III of
Bourbon became king of Spain. The king promoted the tradition of mounting the Nativity
scene among the Spanish aristocracy, after which this practice became widespread
in Spain and Latin America.
The scene of the manger most represented is the Birth of the Child Jesus next to the Virgin
Mary and St Joseph. This scene is accompanied by two fundamental animals: the mule and
the ox. The Nativity scene next to the typical Christmas tree is assembled in homes, shops,
churches and even on streets where in some cities they have real characters.
Each year, the City of Granada organizes a Nativity scene contest with several
prizes to promote this tradition. Beautiful scenes of the Nativity are mounted in every corner
of the city.
In Granada, we can find cribs of all kinds, from the smallest to the largest and even cribs of
great artistic value for the antiquity of their figures.
According to the opinion of some citizens, in the area of Plaza Nueva it is essential to visit
the Bethlehem of the Museum of San Juan de Dios in the House of Pisa, first prize two years in
a row in the historical category.
Not far away is the first prize of this year in this modality: the nativity scene of the
Brotherhood of the Via Crucis (San Juan de los Reyes Street, s/n)
When building a manger there are no rules that limit creativity, while respecting the symbols
that represent their figures and landscapes. Nativity scenes often elicit admiration from
friends and family, and new elements are added every year.
