If you grew up with a nativity set in your home that was a family heirloom, chances are pretty good that is was a Fontanini Nativity set. The Fontanini tradition dates back to the late 1800s when company founder Emanuele Fontanini began creating crèche figures in the little town of Bagni di Lucca located in
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How Fontanini Became the Most Famous Nativity Sets in the World
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Medieval Theater and the Creche
During the Middle Ages, in the days before the printing press, church services were in Latin and the few Bibles that existed were kept in the church – often chained to a lectern. Even if Bibles were available, most laypeople people would not have been able to read them, as illiteracy rates were high during
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Saint Francis and the Origin of the Creche
If a nativity scene is an important part of your family’s Christmas, you already are familiar with this lovely and meaningful way to honor the birth of Christ. You may not know, however, that Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with popularizing the crèche back in the 13th century. St. Francis of Assisi (c 1182-1226)
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