First Nativity scene on show at Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome

Donchisciotte62 ‘s love affair with Rome I’m sure will never end; his latest video of Italy’s capital is simply superb! It shows the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, a real treasure trove of art pieces which have almost no rivals in Rome.

Strangely enough the place is far less tourist-tramped than other nearby churches.

Donchisciotte62 tells us that the church also hosts the first Nativity scene in history; the first to take the form of statues.
It was commissioned by Pope Niccolò IV in 1288.

Actually this old tradition originated in 432 AD when another pope ( Sixtus III) created a Manger scene inspired by Jesus ‘s birth in Bethlehem.