The tradition of the Christmas crib dates back to the period when Saint Francesco of Assisi lived. He produced the first living representation of the Nativity in Greccio in 1223.
Even if there were some representations of the birth of Jesus Christ even before that period through pictures, icons and images, it was during the medieval age that the liturgic representations took place.
The first crib to be sculptured was that made by Arnolfo di Cambio between 1290 and 1292.
The statues which survived are collected in the Museum Liberiano of the Basilica of S. Maria Maggiore in Rome.
In the XV century a tradition began to take place: that of putting some big statues in the churches ; this tradition spread even in the XVI century.
One of the first ancient cribs is the monumental one of the Basilica of Saint Stephen in Bologna which is done every year at Christmas.
From the XVII century on the tradition of the crib began to be spread in the houses of the aristocratic people too as "objects of the furniture" or mini chapels.
In the XVIII century in Naples there was a real competition among thee aristocratic families that wanted to have the most beautiful and precious crib. Statues were dressed with precious clothes and put on valuable jewels. In the same century in Bologna,which is the other city which boasts the most ancient tradition of Christmas cribs, the famous fair of Saint Lucia took place as a sort of annual market where the handmade statues by the local craftmen were sold. This fair takes place every year even today after more than two centuries.
Even if there were some representations of the birth of Jesus Christ even before that period through pictures, icons and images, it was during the medieval age that the liturgic representations took place.
The first crib to be sculptured was that made by Arnolfo di Cambio between 1290 and 1292.
The statues which survived are collected in the Museum Liberiano of the Basilica of S. Maria Maggiore in Rome.
In the XV century a tradition began to take place: that of putting some big statues in the churches ; this tradition spread even in the XVI century.
One of the first ancient cribs is the monumental one of the Basilica of Saint Stephen in Bologna which is done every year at Christmas.
From the XVII century on the tradition of the crib began to be spread in the houses of the aristocratic people too as "objects of the furniture" or mini chapels.
In the XVIII century in Naples there was a real competition among thee aristocratic families that wanted to have the most beautiful and precious crib. Statues were dressed with precious clothes and put on valuable jewels. In the same century in Bologna,which is the other city which boasts the most ancient tradition of Christmas cribs, the famous fair of Saint Lucia took place as a sort of annual market where the handmade statues by the local craftmen were sold. This fair takes place every year even today after more than two centuries.
Your post was really enlightening. I guess it must be a part of the catholic culture to have this kind of statues in your churches. On the contrary, in greek orthodox churches there are only images and not statues. Statues belong to our ancient greek tradition but they no longer exist in our contemporary religion.
ReplyDeleteNext time I visit a catholic church I 'll take an eye on this specific decoration and let you know. I 've already been myself to the dominican monastery in Santorini, which is catholic as well.
Merry christmas to you all.
Hello there! Very interesting post, very educational too, very warming as well. It creates a nostalgic feeling for the past.
ReplyDeleteI've been to Rome some years ago and i have visited several museums and churches and i've seen cribs and other statues. It was Easter time and i actually attened the easter service in an Italian church. I spent few days in Tuscany too which was nice. I hope i will come again at some point.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year.
In Sweden we also have the tradition with the Christmas crib. Since I was little we have had a small crib that has it's own place in my home during christmas time. Of course a more simple one.
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