Some of the most spectacular nativity scenes in Spain
Among the most anticipated events of the Christmas season are, without a doubt, the magnificent Nativity scenes that can be visited in many cities across Spain. From those that exhibit figures of great historical and artistic value to those of monumental size, or the most creative, built with materials as unthinkable as sand or... chocolate! Another option is to attend one of the popular live nativity scenes - re-enactments featuring real people - that are scheduled during this time of year.Below, we have gathered some of the most spectacular Nativity scenes, though you will find plenty of opportunities to take part in this quintessentially Spanish Christmas tradition almost anywhere in the country.
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Neapolitan nativity scenes (Madrid, Murcia and Valladolid)
Spain is home to true gems in the Neapolitan style of Nativity scenes, a tradition rooted in Baroque art. The Royal Palace in Madrid exhibits nearly 200 Neapolitan, Genoese and Spanish figures (from between the 18th and 21st centuries) to which new elements and settings are added annually that make each visit different. In Madrid, you can also visit the History Museum, which houses a valuable collection of sculptures comprising more than 50 human and animal figures. They were all originally part of the same collection as the previous nativity scene.At the Salzillo Museum in Murcia you can see one of the most important Neapolitan nativity scenes in the world, with intricately sculpted pieces of terracotta, painted wood and clay. Whilst at the same museum, we also recommend visiting the Salzillo Nativity Scene, which is in the Spanish style and forms part of the permanent collection, comprising more than 500 figures made of clay and polychrome terracotta. Although they can be viewed year-round, the Christmas season is a particularly special time to visit the National Museum of Sculpture in Valladolid. Here, you can admire a fantastic depiction of 18th-century Neapolitan society, brought to life through more than 600 meticulously crafted figures, making it one of the most significant Nativity scenes in all of Europe.
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Sand Nativity Scene (Gran Canaria)
Every year since 2006, a group of eight prominent international sand sculptors has set to work creating this impressive nativity scene, which is displayed on Las Canteras Beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). This spectacular open-air display, which, beyond its religious and artistic themes, serves a charitable purpose, directs all proceeds from donations towards social projects.
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Monumental nativity scenes (Zaragoza, Valencia, Badajoz and Alicante)
The monumental nativity scene in Zaragoza, covering approximately 1,500 square metres in the bustling Plaza del Pilar, features around a hundred life-sized figures, set against the backdrop of the Basilica, which is illuminated in a spectacular fashion at night. Other large nativity scenes are those inspired by the Valencian fallero style. Standing at 17 metres high, the giant nativity scene in Alicante earned a place in the Guinness World Records in 2020. It features figures of the Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the Three Wise Men. Another notable example is the monumental nativity scene in Xàtiva, Valencia, which includes life-sized figures, live animals, fresh produce and small ponds and wells that enhance the realism of the recreated scenes. Meanwhile, the town of Jerez de los Caballeros, in Badajoz, hosts one of the world’s largest nativity scenes during the holiday season; it comprises approximately 20,000 pieces that visually narrate the story from the Annunciation to Mary through to the Flight into Egypt.
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Chocolate Nativity Scene in Rute (Córdoba)
Around 1,600 kilos of chocolate and about six months of work result in a nativity scene that attracts more and more visitors every year. In 1999, a family business from a small town in the Sierras Subbéticas Nature Reserve, in Córdoba, had the idea of making the chocolate nativity scene that is now the largest in the world. You can visit it from October to 5 January.
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Living nativity scenes in rural areas (Catalonia, Madrid and Cantabria)
Some towns are unbeatable settings to enjoy the theatricality of a living nativity scene. Often, its own inhabitants are part of the cast of actors and actresses. In Catalonia - a region with a particularly deep-rooted tradition - notable examples include the nativity scene in Corbera de Llobregat, which features a 700-metre route set amidst forests and rivers, accompanied by a narrative; the one in Santa Pau - a medieval village with cobblestone streets, located right in the heart of the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park and the one in Castell d'Aro - next to the tourist town of Platja d'Aro on the Costa Brava, which has been held since 1959.In Buitrago de Loyoza, in Madrid, you’ll find another of these live nativity scenes. The historic quarter of this town is the main setting for a tour of around 1,300 metres, featuring 41 scenes depicting the trades and occupations of the time. Meanwhile, in the medieval town of Santillana del Mar, in Cantabria, a large live nativity scene has been staged every year since 1959, featuring a large cast of actors and choirs, with the town’s children playing a leading role.
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Nativity Fair (Seville)
Finally, a place of inspiration and shopping for those who dare to design their own nativity scene next Christmas is the Nativity Fair next to the Cathedral and the Archive of the Indies in Seville. This event serves as a true national reference point for merchants and artisans who specialise in creating all kinds of figures, objects and traditional accessories for these Christmas displays. Around thirty stalls where you can buy, until 23 December, tiny pieces of craftwork to make up your own personal nativity scene or make a special gift.
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