Plaça de Sant Jaume
If you’re in Barcelona at Christmas time you shouldn’t miss the large nativity scene in Plaça de Sant Jaume. The nativity occupies about a quarter of the plaza and the design changes every year. The nativity scene shown below is from 2014 and was a recreation of the Roman city of Barcino.
The traditional stable and manger were replaced by a basket on the beach in front of a partly-built boat. As you can see the 3 wise men wisely decided to ditch their camels and arrived together in a fishing boat. The design also included a signal tower on Montjuïc, a Roman Villa complete with soldiers and a stone aqueduct sheltering the ubiquitous caganer.
Location: Plaça de Sant Jaume
Dates: From November 28th until January 6th
Barcelona Cathedral
You probably won’t be surprised to learn that the nativity scene in the cloisters of Barcelona Cathedral sticks to the traditional format of a stable, manger, shepherds and three wise men.
Location: The cloisters of Barcelona Cathedral
Dates: From November 28th to January 6th
Opening Times: 8:00 – 13:00, 17:00- 19:00
Entry fee: FREE
Poble Espanyol
The first ever living nativity scene was organized by St Francis of Assisi in Florence Italy in 1223. There is a long tradition of Pessebres Vivents in Catalonia but this is only the fourth time that they have been staged in Poble Espanyol.
Location: Poble Espanyol, Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia No. 13, Barcelona
Dates: December 8th to 11th
Times: 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00
Entry Fee: Local residents €6, non-residents must purchase a full priced ticket for Poble Espanyol.
Asosiació de Pessebristes de Barcelona
The Barcelona crib makers association has set up exhibitions of dioramas at the following locations. If you only want to visit one or two I suggest you start with the exhibition at Atesania de Catalunya which is centrally located and free of charge.
Associatió de Pessebristes de Barcelona
C/ Lledó 11
November 22nd – February 2nd
11:00 – 14:00 , 17:00 – 20:00
Note: The centre is open year round and offers crib building courses and workshops.
Església de Betlem
La Rambla 109
September 11th – January 6th
10:00 – 14:00, 17:00 – 20:00
Artesania de Catalunya
C/ Banys Nous 11
November 26th – January 10th
10:00 – 14:00, 17:00 – 20:00
Monestir de Pedralbes
pl. del Monestir
December 14th – February 2nd
10:00 – 14:00, 17:00 – 20:00
CCP – La Violeta de Gracia
C/ Maspons 6
1st – 13th of December
Monday – Friday: 9:00 – 13:00, 16:00 – 23:00
Weekends: 10:00 – 23:00
The Nativity Façade of the Sagrada Família Basilica
Last but by no means least, Barcelona’s most visited nativity scene is open all year long…
Map
Av Francesc Ferrer i Guardia, 13, 08038 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Carrer de Maspons 6, 08012 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Plaça del Monestir, 08034 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Carrer dels Banys Nous 11, 08002 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Les Rambles 109, 08002 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Carrer Lledo 11, 08002 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Plaça de Sant Jaume, 08002 Barcelona,
