A museum in County Durham will be the only place in the UK where people can see an elaborate 18th-century Neapolitan nativity scene this festive season. 

The Faith Museum, part of The Auckland Project in Bishop Auckland, will present the Italian-made nativity scene for a limited time this Christmas.

Complete with all the traditional characters from the Biblical story telling the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, the scene depicts the Holy Family, the three Wise Men, shepherds with their livestock and a host of angels.

The remarkable nativity also offers a glimpse of the hustle and bustle of 18th-century Naples, with a street market and tavern. 

Part of the Christmas at the Palace experience at Auckland Palace, it will open to the public from Friday, November 15 to Tuesday, December 31. The intricate nativity display, also known as a presepe in Italian, contains hundreds of components created by a team of craftspeople during the 18th century and measures 11ft tall and 15ft wide. 

(Image: The Auckland Project.) Clare Baron, Head of Exhibitions at The Auckland Project, is responsible for overseeing the installation of the nativity scene at Bishop Auckland’s Faith Museum.

She said: “We’re privileged to be showcasing a presepe of this scale and quality. There are very few places outside of Italy that where you can see anything like it. 

“People flock to visit the Neapolitan nativity scenes in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the Art Institute of Chicago each Christmas. It’s wonderful to have an opportunity to see one a little closer to home, and I hope this might become a new Christmas tradition for families in the North East to enjoy.” 

The nativity scene is dated 1780 – 1820 and was likely commissioned for a grand private residence in Naples, Italy.

(Image: The Auckland Project.)

It will have taken a team of technicians several weeks to construct, with the large pieces of scenery installed before each of the figures, made from iron wire, hemp, wood and terracotta, may be carefully placed in position. In total, there are 421 individual pieces, including 112 figures, 52 animals and 257 other delicate objects and pieces of furniture. 

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“The nativity scene on display at the Faith Museum is a sight to behold. Our team will be meticulously installing the display scene by scene, character by character, each with their own role to play in telling the story of the birth of Jesus Christ,” Clare added.  

The nativity scene is part of a collection of yuletide festivities taking place at The Auckland Project and Auckland Palace, including AGLOW and brand new for 2024 Christmas at The Palace.  

For more information about the Neapolitan Nativity and to book tickets for Christmas at the Palace, visit: www.aucklandproject.org/event/neapolitan-nativity/. Tickets to the Christmas at the Palace experience, where visitors will find the Neapolitan Nativity, are £20 for adults and £12.50 for children, with free entry to under threes and carers.