The origin of the Neapolitan presepe traces back to 1025. By the 15th century, through the artistry of the brothers Pietro and Giovanni Alemanno, the cast of characters began to grow as hand-carved wooden figurines were added as were farm animals and local landscapes.
The heartbeat of Nativital activities revolve around Via Saint Gregorio Armeno, in the antique center of the city, where there's a permanent exhibition of Nativity scenes in the Museum of S. Martino some of which date back to the seventeenth century. However, during the Christmas season, the activities spill out into the nearby piazzas of San Gregorio and Spaccanapoli with exhibitors offering everything anyone would need to create anything from an exquisite Nativity scene to a wonderful, warm indoor Christmas setting.
There are countless shops lining the narrow Via San Gregorio Armeno devoted to the craft of the nativity plus tables selling nativity scene trimmings. Shoppers can can choose from miniature caged pigs, jugs of wine, pizza ovens, and eels that splash about in real, running water.
If you need to update an outfit or repair an eyeball, head over to Antichita Francesco Campobasso, where a large selection of limbs, terra-cotta heads and designer regal wear are yours for a price. For over a century the Campobasso store has dealt exclusively in upscale manger accoutrements, including tiny silver swords, miniature golden pouches and hand sewn leather shoes.
Presepi are a time-honored tradition in Naples that is credited with putting the idea of the Nativity into mainstream life in Italy.
You can visit the master artisans Giuseppe and Marco Ferrigno. If you make an appointment, they may show you how to create the shepherds, used to decorate a manger of Christ. They might also explain how to use ancient materials such as terracotta, wood and silk to create character and scenes reproduced in the manger of Christ during the 1800. New York, Paris and Moscow are just few places where it is possible to find the works of these two artists.
Giuseppe Ferrigno
Via di San Gregorio Armeno 10
Spaccanapoli
80100 Naples
Italy
p. 081/552-3148
Our church has a Christmas creche done by your company and I am interested in obtaining some figures to begin my personal creche.
Please advise if there is a catalog or web site to view your works. We were in Naples just this past fall and we did not have the time to visit your workshop....much to our dismay.
Peace be with you,
Mrs Sleime
I would like for Christmas a nativity scene of the miniature caged pigs, or if they are out of that one how about the eels that splash about in real, running water.
That is my second choice.