Many young crafty enthusiasts display their presepios and nativities in private homes, churches and parish halls. They are becoming more popular in Malta, as people and families visit them during the Christmas season. Similar to what’s happening in the construction sector, with small skyscrapers appearing on every skyline in our small island, space is always limited and so many craftsmen are building their nativities on a vertical format. Therefore they create an entire village over a limited space with houses, shops, hangout places and the cave where baby Jesus is born usually prominently placed in the center, surrounded by his parents and the three Kings.
One can see in this nativity all of this, all crammed in a limited space, but strategically placed for everyone to enjoy the interaction between townspeople and various characters selling their goods, or just mingling around. Plenty of domestic and farm animals are seen in every empty space. The buildings are typical of an Italian country village, which often include the remains of a Roman building with columns, a common feature in Neapolitan presepios.
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