Barcelona continues its Christmas traditions with a spectacular new addition: the largest nativity scene ever installed in the City Hall courtyard. This impressive display, a highlight of the festive season, is now open for public viewing.
A Grand Nativity Scene Takes Center Stage
For the second consecutive year, the traditional nativity scene, or ‘pesebre,’ finds its home within the City Hall building, specifically in the carriage courtyard. This year’s installation is an ‘XXL’ version, significantly larger than its predecessors. It spans an impressive 70 square meters, nearly triple the size of last year’s 24-square-meter display.
The creation of this magnificent scene began in May and involved the dedicated work of 20 members from the Association of Nativity Scene Builders of Barcelona. The ‘pesebre’ intricately recreates mountain landscapes from the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees, blending natural beauty with biblical scenes.
Barcelona’s Mayor, Jaume Collboni, visited the installation and praised its creators. “We hope the city’s residents appreciate this marvel,” he stated, as reported by Europa Press. “Now, families, especially children, can enjoy a piece of history, with images of the Pyrenees mixed with biblical scenes.”
Shift in Christmas Decorations for Sant Jaume Square
While the traditional nativity scene is housed indoors, Sant Jaume Square itself has seen a shift in its festive decorations. For the past two years, the square has been dominated by light shows and artistic projections, moving away from the large outdoor nativity scene that was once its hallmark. This change is part of a broader strategy to integrate Sant Jaume Square into the city’s overall Christmas lighting plan.
Xavier Marcé, the Culture Councillor, noted that the classic nativity scenes in internal courtyards were highly successful last year. He emphasized the goal of having Sant Jaume Square illuminated concurrently with the rest of the city.
Josep Porta, president of the Association of Nativity Scene Builders, expressed his satisfaction with the return of the nativity scene, albeit to the City Hall’s interior. He highlighted the advantages of an indoor setting, allowing for the use of more delicate materials in its construction.
Palau de la Generalitat Also Features Festive Displays
In addition to the City Hall, the Palau de la Generalitat is also adorned with its own Christmas decorations. Its nativity scene will be exhibited in the lobby and Gothic courtyard from December 23rd until the eve of Three Kings’ Day. Visiting hours are from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM on weekdays and from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors can also see a Christmas tree and a giant ‘tió’ (Catalan Christmas log).
Both the City Hall and Palau de la Generalitat offer free admission to their festive displays, with no prior reservation required. However, the Palau will be closed on December 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st, and January 1st.
Sant Jaume Square is also featuring a 15-meter-tall fir tree, provided by Mercabarna-flor from sustainable cultivation fields. Its ornamentation, inspired by the square’s Christmas lighting, includes stars, ribbons, and baubles.
Source: https://www.elperiodico.com/es/barcelona/20251212/barcelona-navidad-pesebre-plaza-sant-jaume-ayuntamiento-124675727
