Do you still make Christmas nativity scenes at home, with all the traditional figures and even a piece of moss to make up the backdrop?
Although the tradition has been lost over the years, there are still several places in Lisbon where you can admire these magical scenes, with the Baby Jesus, the Magi, the shepherds and many other scenic images that recreate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.
We went in search of places in Lisbon where this tradition still exists, often promoted by local communities of residents.
Christmas nativity scene at Paços do Concelho
The headquarters of the Lisbon City Council, in Praça do Município, has once again hosted the Christmas crib tradition, allowing all Lisboners to admire not only the council’s crib, but also a collection of 30 pieces from 15 countries, from the 18th century to the present day.
So, when you go downtown to see the Christmas lights, take the opportunity to take a look at all these nativity scenes in the Atrium of the Lisbon City Hall building until January 6, 2025.
Christmas crib at the Basílica da Estrela
Made up of almost 500 pieces, the Estrela Basilica Nativity Scene is one of the largest in the country, measuring around five meters wide by four meters high (and a further three meters deep).
It was created by the artist Machado de Castro, at the request of Queen Maria, and was the first in Portugal to include the Adoration of the Magi.
Madre de Deus Christmas crib at the National Tile Museum
The oldest Portuguese baroque n ativity scene can be admired at the National Tile Museum, more precisely in the old Nativity Scene Room, next to the chapel of Santo António.
At the beginning of the 17th century, it was set up all year round, but after the death of the last nun at the Madre de Deus Convent (now occupied by the museum) in 1872, it ended up boxed up and remained so for many years.
In 2006 it went back on public display and can now be seen by all visitors to the National Tile Museum.
It consists of 42 figures, some divine and others popular, ranging in size from 20 to 70 centimeters high.
Alcântara Christmas Crib
One of the Christmas nativity scenes is in Alcântara and is set up every year in Rua de Alcântara, the result of the work of a supportive community.
This year, the inauguration took place on December 8th at 18:30.
Amoreiras Shopping Center Christmas crib
Going Christmas shopping and admiring the nativity scene is already a tradition for many families who, every year, are dazzled by the hundreds of figures that decorate the central staircase of the Amoreiras Shopping Center.
This exhibition also presents a chronological order, with the support of information plaques (with QR codes), which visitors can follow down the staircase, from when Mary and Joseph arrive in the city, until the birth.
It’s an exhibition full of mechanical dolls and lots of natural materials, such as sand, water, cork, small pebbles, tree branches and other elements that help to bring more veracity to the scene.
This is one of the tallest Christmas nativity scenes in the city, some 12 meters high and five meters wide, and it can be seen every day until January 6.
Vila Presépio in Alenquer
This year we decided to go a little further afield to Alenquer, where one of the largest Christmas nativity scenes in the country is located.
Alenquer is less than an hour from the capital, but it’s well worth the trip to see the gigantic, almost life-size nativity scene .
