1. THE NATIVITY The nativity (or crib) is a representation of the birth of Jesus, derived from medieval traditions. The term derives from the Latin praesaepe, meaning crib, Manger, consisting of first and saepes = prae = fence, or place in front of a fence. The modern Nativity indicates a traditional reconstruction of the Nativity of Jesus Christ during the Christmas season: they reproduce so all the characters and places of tradition, from the cave to the stars, from the three wise men to the shepherds, the ox and the donkey to lambs, and so on. The representation may be either iconographic or living. ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION The predominantly Italian tradition dates from the time of St. Francis of Assisi, in 1223 at Greccio there was the first living representation of the Nativity. Although there were also formerly images and representations of the birth of Christ, these were nothing more than "sacred representations" of the various liturgies celebrated in the medieval period.

2. The first Nativity carved scene was that made by Arnolfo di Cambio between 1290 and 1292. The remaining statues can be found in the Museum of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. The iconography of the crib has had a big boost in the fifteenth century thanks to some great masters as Botticelli who painted the adoration of the Magi (Florence, Uffizi) depicted characters of the Medici family.

4. By the 17th century the Nativity scene also began to spread in the homes of nobles as "ornaments" or real miniature chapels, also thanks to the Pope who appreciated its ability to transmit the faith simply and close to the popular feeling. But the great carved nativities development occurred in 18th century, when the great traditions started to develop also in private homes.

5. In the 18th century in Naples a real competition even started between noble families for the most beautiful and gorgeous Nativity scene with statues wearing fine garments of fine fabrics and sparkling jewels. In the same century in Bologna, the other Italian city that boasts an ancient presepistica tradition, it was established the Santa Lucia Fair, a market of figurines produced by local artisans, which is repeated every year, even today, after more than two centuries.

6. But, above all, the 18th century is the century in which the Nativity scenes were shown in churches. Some of them have survived, despite the many thefts suffered, and are still exposed in the Christmas period. Among the most famous sculptors of nativities of this era include the genovese Anton Maria Maragliano. Only in the late 1800s and early 1900s the crib came also in the apartments of the bourgeoisie and the simple people, obviously less flashy, resisting up to the present day.

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