Christmas has arrived in Palma and with it the magic that fills the streets with twinkling lights, joyful carols and the sweet aroma of Christmas delicacies. This year, from Nivia Born Boutique Hotel we encourage you to join in with the local tradition of nativity scenes, discovering the creativity and devotion that Palma has deposited in these marvellous representations of the Nativity.
One of the city’s most emblematic nativity scenes awaits you in the Plaça de Cort, a large nativity scene with around two hundred hand crafted pieces. It will take you quite a while to observe the different settings and delicate details. Nearby, in the Palau March, you can visit a Neapolitan nativity scene from the 18th century created from more than two thousand pieces. Without leaving the centre of the capital, the Hebrew nativity scene of Sant Antoniet, in Carrer Sant Miquel, or that of the Consell de Mallorca, in the Misericordia Cultural Centre, which exhibits 25 hand-painted clay figures, will delight lovers of this deeply-rooted custom.
In the surrounding streets, the Fundació Sa Nostra’s Mallorcan nativity scene is displayed in all its charm, with around 150 handmade figures in the shape of an island, while some of Palma’s convents such as Santa Magdalena, Santa Clara and the Purísima Concepción continue the tradition of installing them in their chapels around this time of year. In the first two, you can also buy home-made sweets made from centuries-old recipes that will make a difference in your Christmas meals.
Until 7 January, we encourage you to take a look at the extensive exhibition of cribs and nativity scenes hosted by the Centre of Military History and Culture of the Balearic Islands, with fabulous works by master nativity scene makers, as well as an exhibition of convent confectionery.
In some shopping centres, such as El Corte Inglés on Avinguda Alexandre Rosselló or C&A, on Carrer Sant Jaume, for some years now they have been setting up large-scale nativity scenes that can be visited during business hours. The Santa Catalina market, in the Plaça de la Navegació, also hosts a representation of the birth of Jesus promoted by Betlemistes de Mallorca.
Check the opening times of all the nativity scenes open to the public in Palma.
