Alberto Finizio
President, Italian Association of Friends of the Nativity
The museum is permanent. It's open all year, and activity goes on throughout the year. We frequently prepare the exhibits for any occasion, the work keeps us busy for many months. There is always activity here all year round.

The exhibit contains nativity scenes from more than 30 different countries around the world, including places as remote as Madagascar, Australia, and Argentina. The styles and ages are as diverse as the cultures they represent.

Alberto Finizio
President, Italian Association of Friends of the Nativity
They are so diverse. There are Neapolitan shepherds from the 1700s to the 1800s. There is a nativity from a Bolognese school from the late 1700s. There is a Sicilian nativity from the 1600s made of many small seashells. Then, there are also more modern works from major artists who dedicate themselves to the Nativity today.

But the museum has come a long way since its humble beginnings 41 years ago.

Alberto Finizio
President, Italian Association of Friends of the Nativity
The museum began in 1967. The first Nativity was a private collection that the president of the association, who was also the founder, donated to the museum. From then on, there were additions of more nativities, some were purchased, some were donated, but it gradually grew into what it is today.

As you can imagine, the museum have their hands full for the Christmas holiday season. They are hard at work on a large nativity scene which will be unveiled in Piazza Navona on December 22.