Logo Museo de Belenes con pesebre de fondo
NATIVITY SCENES AND ANDALUSIAN COUNTRYSIDE
The Museo Internacional de Arte Belenista consists of two different areas: indoors the building is completely dedicated to the exposition and conservation of more than one hundred Nativities spread along seven exposition rooms which the visitor will be able to enjoy in about one hour and a half.

Outdoors the visitor will enjoy an exhibition of Almazaras, rooms of a popular Andalusian house from the beginning of XX Century, and farming implements.

Seven exhibition rooms with more than one hundred Nativities
In the lobby an imposing Arch of Constantine, which was built in Rome to commemorate the victory of Constantine I the Great in the battle of the Milvian Bridge; created by Angela Tripi, welcomes visitors. The representation of this monument is due to the fact that this Roman emperor was the first to give freedom of worship, stopping the persecution against Christians..

Turning round, the visitors can observe the figure of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of nativity scene makers and a symbol of the beginning of the nativity art tradition. He it was who first set up a small replica of a nativity scene on Christmas Eve 1223, in Italy. This figure has been made by the Sevillian sculptor, José Ángel García.

Arch of Constantine, raised in Rome to commemorate the victory of Constantine the Great in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge

DIORAMAS,
DOMES
AND NATIVITY
SCENES

The museum has 7 exhibition rooms with more than 70 nativity scenes classified into dioramas – small scenes seen through a window; domes – exclusively designed for this museum; and monumental nativity scenes, or “pesebres”, that fill entire rooms, such as the crib created by the nativity scene maker from Arcos de la Frontera (Cádiz), Antonio Bernal, the piece made by the master and Madrid-based José Luis Mayo, or a popular 25-metre-long nativity scene that represents the 8 provinces of Andalusia. The latter work was made by Vicente Martínez, from El Puerto de Santa Maria (Cádiz).

In the Central Hall we must highlight the Sicilian Nativity by the master Nativity artist Angela Tripi, with several scenes from the Italian popular culture, as well as the Neapolitan Nativity by the famous Nativity artist Claudio Mattei, and the School of Monte San Pietro with the magnificent Parade of the Three Wise Men.

Reyes Magos jugando con el niño Jesús

LA CUEVA (THE CAVE) (ROOM 1)

A monumental Nativity coordinated by the person who was the director of the museum, Antonio Bernal, with more than 200 unique figures by Angela Tripi.

DIORAMAS HALL (ROOM 2)

More than 20 dioramas – small nativity scenes seen through a window.
Escena rural

DOMES HALL I (ROOM 3)

Five Nativities of different styles, among which we must bring out the popular Italian work La familia al complete (The whole Family), by Antonio Pigozzi, with figures made by Raffaele de Angelis.

ANDALUSIA AT CHRISTMAS (ROOM 4)

A 25 meters long Nativity which shows different scenes from the Andalusian culture, sites and monuments that represent the eight Andalusian provinces. This is a work made by the Nativity artist from Puerto de Santamaría Vicente Rodríguez, with backgrounds and landscapes by Adrián Ferreras.
Niños colgando estrella de belen en el balcón

DOMES HALL II (ROOM 5)

This area holds various Nativities, among which an outstanding recreation of a Victorian House with symbols from different branches of Christianity can be found.

SACRED MOUNT (ROOM 6)

A 10 meters wide round Nativity in which part of the Old and New Testament is reviewed with recreations of biblical passages, from Adam and Eva up to the Resurrection of Christ. Work by José Luis Mayo, from Madrid.
Representación de Caín y Abel

DOMES III (ROOM 7)

Perspective is the most outstanding feature in this room, with an important representation of Nativities from the Catalonian School, as well as international authors.
Tractor antiguo

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ANDALUSIAN
COUNTRYSIDE
EXHIBITIONS

Two oil mills, a traditional Andalusian house and farming implements.
The Díaz Caballero Foundation has sought to pay homage to Andalusian traditions and, in the courtyard of the Nativity Scene Museum, the visitor can complement the tour inside by viewing an exhibition of Andalusian arts and customs, with farming implements, two oil mills and a recreation of a traditional local house.