A nativity scene is basically the sculptural and figurative representation of the historical fact of the birth of Jesus Christ, which symbolizes a moment in the History of Humanity.

And one of the most popular Spanish traditions when Christmas arrives is to decorate with a nativity scene or nativity scene. During the holidays, Madrid is filled with different types of nativity scenes that can be visited for free.

Today we will tell you about the 3 main Nativity scenes in Madrid that you cannot miss this Christmas, all very close to our Vitium Urban Suites

Nativity scene of the Madrid City Council

The Municipal Bethlehem of Madrid has some 200 unique figures and some 20 buildings that highlight their realism and attention to detail, accompanied by a faithful landscape recreation.

Its creator is the artist José Luis Mayo, and they are figures in the Hebrew style.

This year they bring a novelty and it is their circular morphology, which allows their admiration from any point of view.

Thanks to its recent restoration, the pieces are in excellent condition.

The design, scenery and landscape composition reflect a historical sequence of seven typical scenes of traditional nativity scenes, beginning with the Annunciation to the Virgin by the Angel Gabriel; the Visitation to Santa Isabel; the Inn Search; the Annunciation to the shepherds; the Nativity in a cave, with an upper temple with singing angels; the great Parade of the Magi and the Flight into Egypt.

It can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, from November 25 to January 5, at Plaza de Cibeles 1, at the following times

November 25 to January 5: 10:10 a.m. – 7:40 p.m. (last showing)

December 24, 25 and 31 and January 5: 10:10 a.m. – 1:40 p.m. [last showing]

Closed: Monday and January 1

They are shifts every 10 minutes, for a group of 40 people.

Bethlehem from the Madrid History Museum

This nativity scene made up of more than 50 articulated human and animal figures, sculptural from the Baroque, is one of the most valuable sculptural sets in its collection, with a naturalistic description of the uses and customs of the Neapolitan people in the 18th century.

The Neapolitan nativity scene, from the 18th century and which is housed in the Madrid History Museum, is once again on display to the public from December 2 to January 2.

The polychromy of the clothing and the multiple accessories that add color and serve to express the varied social condition of the characters: peasants, bourgeois, shepherds, street vendors, musicians, and the representation of the luxury of the oriental court that makes up the entourage of the Three Wise Men, which unfold over the classical ruins where a cascade of little angels descends.

This Christmas, the Museum of History of Madrid will offer three guided tours, on December 13, 20 and 22 at 12 noon, in which the history and evolution of the Neapolitan nativity scene and the iconography of Christmas will be analyzed. These visits are free with a maximum capacity of 10 people and no prior reservation is necessary, just be there fifteen minutes before.

In order to visit this nativity scene, you must go to Calle de Fuencarral, 78, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., it will close every Monday, December 24, 25 and 31, 1 and 6 from January.

Bethlehem of the Museum of San Isidro

Located in the Renaissance patio of the San Isidro Museum, and which serves as a framework for this Popular Nativity scene made by the artisan José Luis Mayo.

It is made up of unique and original figures made of clay by hand and with chopsticks to work the clay. In addition to the attractive scenery, biblical scenes are placed together with scenes of everyday life.

The Museum of San Isidro is in the Madrid district of La Latina, next to the Plaza de los Carros and the church of San Andrés.

Hours to see the nativity scene at the San Isidro Museum.

The nativity scene can be seen during the museum’s opening hours and will be on display until January 17, the dates and times are as follows:

From Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Closed: Every Monday. December 24, 25 and 31, January 1 and 6.

As soon as you arrive and stay in our Vitium Urban Suites  you can ask at the reception how you can get to these nativity scenes.

Happy Holidays!