This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
History of the Christmas crib and its global spread
The Christmas cribs or presepe trace twelve centuries of use in churches and homes. Saint Francis of Assisi created an early nativity scene in 1224 at Greccio, Italy, inspiring worldwide adoption. The Renaissance expanded the tradition with elaborate figures, reaching a peak in the 17th and 18th centuries.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Europe
Saint Francis of Assisi
Christ
Greccia
Italy
Sardinia
National Museum
Munich
Metropolitan Museum
New York City
Rosselino
France
Spain