![The gaiant nativity scene in front of Barcelona city hall 2013](https://barcelonalowdown.com/barcelona-lowdown/uploads/2013/12/pesebre-barcelona.jpg)
Every December a giant Nativity scene or “Pesebre” is installed in Plaça Sant Jaume. The design changes each year and never fails to surprise. In 2013 the Pesebre depicted life on Barcelona’s rooftops and is one of the most original and interesting that I’ve seen to date.
![Queues at the nativity scene in Plaça Sant Jaume Barcelona](https://barcelonalowdown.com/barcelona-lowdown/uploads/2013/12/nativity-scene-barcelona.jpg)
The traditional characters are all represented but with a modern twist. For example the farmers who normally appear in Catalan nativity scenes are replaced by a granny tending her roof-top garden and a young woman feeding her pet doves.
The only nativity characters who haven’t been modernised are the 3 kings who can be seen climbing ladders up to the rooftops. There is also a child feeding a Caga Tió on a balcony and a caganer sat on a rooftop toilet !
![The nativity at Plaça Sant Jaume, Barcelona](https://barcelonalowdown.com/barcelona-lowdown/uploads/2013/12/nativity-barcelona.jpg)
![Granny tending her garden, part of the Pessebre near Barcelona city hall](https://barcelonalowdown.com/barcelona-lowdown/uploads/2013/12/granny-nativity-scene-barcelona.jpg)
![The Caganer sits on a rooftop toilet in the nativity scene in Plaça Sant Jaume](https://barcelonalowdown.com/barcelona-lowdown/uploads/2013/12/caganer-barcelona-sant-jaume.jpg)
08002 Barcelona, Spain