The Vatican is preparing for Christmas. The Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square and the traditional huge Christmas tree were inaugurated on December 7. Each year, the Pope invites an Italian town to bring together its artisans to create a Nativity scene typical of the region. Last year, it was the turn of Greccio, where St. Francis of Assisi organized the first-ever live Nativity scene in history. 

Grado: This Year’s Featured Town for the Vatican Nativity Scene

This year, the Nativity scene comes from the Italian seaside town of Grado, located between Venice and Trieste. The Nativity will be set amidst the characteristic casoni, or fishermen's huts, of the Grado lagoon. Visitors will also be able to see the small traditional boats typical of the lagoon. 

Recreating the Grado Lagoon in St. Peter’s Square

“And we wanted to recreate here, in St. Peter's Square, the Grado lagoon itself,” the Project Curator Antonio Boemo stated. 

“The Nativity scene,” he continued, “belongs to the community of Grado because I involved local collaborators. I brought together 40 people to create this great masterpiece, because it truly is remarkable.” 

The Remarkable Scale and Construction of the Nativity Scene

The Nativity scene measures 30 meters in length and 14 meters in width. These dimensions posed a challenge for the builders, who had to transport it from Grado to the Vatican, over 600 kilometers away. 

The Project Architect Andrea de Waderstein explained, “We designed a project in such a way that the elements could be assembled, let's say, like Legos. Practically in pieces. The outer edge itself, where the water is, consists of 102 foam pieces. A lining goes inside, and this essentially forms the Grado lagoon.” 

First-Ever Floating Nativity Scene in Vatican History

“We are the first to bring water to St. Peter’s Square,” the architect proudly remarked. Additionally, the floating Nativity scene features other unique elements that make it special. By building it on a water base, it will become a new attraction for the seagulls of St. Peter’s Square. To protect it, the builders have installed ultrasonic devices to deter the seagulls. 

Bringing the Grado Lagoon’s Wildlife to Life

Furthermore, the artisans wanted to bring the entire atmosphere of the lagoon to the Vatican, so they dedicated themselves to 3D printing the lagoon's birds. 

“We wanted to recreate not only the static elements within the lagoon but also to bring in the wildlife of the lagoon, the plants of the lagoon. So, we tried to bring the lagoon’s plants here to the square, as well as the birds,” Andrea de Waderstein explained. 

A Dream Eight Years in the Making

In 2016, they presented the project to the Vatican through the parish of Grado. Now, almost eight years later, the builders have eagerly awaited the inauguration of their work in St. Peter's Square. 

“It was my dream,” Antonio Boemo shared, “which started by chance, and after a few years, we made it here. It will be the dream of everyone in Grado.” 

Adapted by Jacob Stein 

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