Discover the Monumental Manger of Parets del Vallès!
This year, the Parets del Vallès Monumental Nativity Scene, which will take place from 6 December 2024 to 26 January 2025, is inspired by a very special historical context: it will transport spectators back to Roman times, recreating a fascinating atmosphere that brings them closer to the grandeur of classical civilisation. With an exquisite level of detail, the city of Tarraco is presented, one of the most important centres of Roman Hispania, highlighting iconic elements such as the amphitheatre, where citizens sit to watch a play, an essential cultural activity at that time.
The famous Devil's Bridge will not be missing, the imposing aqueduct that supplied water to the city, a symbol of the ingenuity and sophistication of Roman infrastructure.
Furthermore, the Via Augusta is the common thread that connects several places of historical importance, such as the Arch of Roda, a majestic testimony of Roman triumphal architecture, and a Gallic people who, with tenacious resistance, refuse to be subjugated by the expansion of the Roman Empire. This part of the Nativity scene symbolises the tensions between the dominated cultures and the Roman conquerors, underlining the contrasts and cultural interactions of the time.
At the centre of the Nativity scene is Rome itself, the magnificent city that conquered the ancient world. Its most emblematic monuments are depicted in detail: the Temple of the Vestals, guarded by priestesses who watch over the sacred fire; the majestic Pantheon, a breathtaking example of architectural engineering; and the Circus Maximus, where you can witness an exciting chariot race in which the green team triumphs, evoking the favourite entertainment of the Romans.
The Colosseum, with its colossal statue of the Colossus, dominates the scene, recalling the glory days of games and spectacles, while the thermal baths of Caldes de Montbui offer an insight into everyday life and the importance of hygiene and well-being in Roman society.
Finally, in the Bay of Naples, one of the most moving scenes of the Nativity scene emerges: the city of Pompeii, depicted in all its splendor, shortly before the tragic eruption of Vesuvius. This moment in history, captured just before the disaster, recalls the fragility of life and the devastating impact of natural phenomena on humanity.
This Nativity scene not only presents a Christmas representation, but also offers an open window to the glorious past of the Roman Empire, its monumental constructions, its military exploits and the daily life that marked the course of history.
Nativity scenes in Parets have a long tradition that was formally organised in the 1960s, when a group linked to the Parish of Sant Esteve and the Parets Hiking Centre (CEP) built the first monumental Nativity scene. After a period of inactivity, the tradition was resumed in 1986 with a table-top Nativity scene that grew to 300 m², entering the Catalan Book of Records in 1996. The Nativity scene has varied between 180 and 230 m², and the scenery is renewed every year, inspired by landscapes from Catalonia and other places such as Petra.
They use materials such as porexpan, sand and stone, and have incorporated modern techniques such as 3D printers and special effects. The Group has around 1,000 figures, acquired at fairs. They have also participated in important events such as the Nativity Scene Meeting and organizing exhibitions of dioramas and figures of caganers and Playmobil.
The aim is to transport viewers to a distant but fascinating time, full of epic scenes and transcendental moments, thus creating a tribute to one of humanity's most influential civilizations.
