That the nativity scenes are the most necessary symbol of Christmas is evident in what interests us for some time what happens with the nativity scene of Plaça Sant Jaume or the passion for the most traditional nativity scenes of the city.
Therefore, we have to talk about an unknown nativity scene in the center of Barcelona. We are talking about the spectacular Neapolitan nativity scene of Josep Massagué, a real jewel of craftsmanship that you can see at the headquarters of the Diputació de Barcelona.
It is a nativity scene with more than 80 characters that represent classic scenes of the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the Magi as well as scenes that transport us directly to the Neapolitan tradition: bread and cheese sellers, fruit vendors, pizza makers, basket makers and even puppeteers.
And although it is inspired by the Neapolitan nativity scenes of the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, Josep Massagué wanted to give it a contemporary twist. With modern materials and fabrics, he has created characters that are less common in a traditional nativity scene: a lottery seller, a horchata seller and even a cantastorie (a street storyteller).
Where is it and when can I see the Neapolitan nativity scene of the Diputació?
The nativity scene is in the Can Serra building, in the middle of Rambla de Catalunya (number 126), the nativity scene can be visited from December 12, 2024 to January 8, 2025.
Its opening hours are from Monday to Saturday (not holidays) from 10:00 to 20:00 h, and on Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00 h.