The Nativity Scene in the Palatine Chapel of the Royal Palace of Naples, Italy

Nativity Scene A large nativity scene dating from the 18th century is displayed next to the entrance to the royal Chapel.

It consists of 354 pieces, 210 figurines, shepherds and animals, and 144 accessories.

The figures are displayed against a papier-mâché background; they were sculpted by various artists in the 17th century and the 18th century, including the famous Giuseppe Sammartino (the creator of the Veiled Christ in the San Severo Chapel), Angelo and Francesco Viva, Salvatore di Franco, Francesco and Camillo Celebrano, Lorenzo Mosca, Matteo Bottigliero, Francesco Cappiello and Giuseppe Gori.

Nativity Scene The grand scenography of this nativity scene beautifully depicts all the scenes from the Neapolitan pastoral tradition.

It brings together figures from the East and the Mediterranean, as well as religious scenes and even scenes from everyday life.

In the background, one can see a rural landscape and Mount Vesuvius.

The left-hand side of the nativity scene depicts the Nativity scene with the ruins of a Roman temple to symbolise the victory of Christianity over paganism.

On the far left are the Magi from the East, Mongolia, Africa and the Levant; they are accompanied by exotic animals such as the camel and the elephant, which recalls the arrival in Naples of an Indian elephant presented in 1738 by the Turkish sultan to King Charles of Bourbon.

Nativity Scene