The palace of the Deputation of Cádiz hosts a collection of nativity scenes from all over the Americas

Belenes americanos en el Palacio de la Diputación de Cádiz

Reports from the Americas tell that the first nativity scene was brought by an Andalusian sailor at the beginning of the 16th century. With the 

passage of time, the European nativity scene tradition became enriched by the contact with different local cultures, giving rise to extraordinary variety and richness in the craft.

A large sample of nativity scene art from all over the Americas can be seen at the Palace of the Deputation of Cádiz in the exhibition "Noche de Sol (Night of Sun)" comprising more than 200 nativity scenes from the Basanta-Martín collection.

A spectacular collection with all sorts of designs and materials. From the pieces of alabaster in the Alaskan Inuit nativity scene to the glass figures of Bolivia. Others made of wood, alpaca wool, ceramics, leaves and corn husks... The massive pieces from the Colombian Belén de los Cántaros. Peruvian nativity scenes in the form of columns, pots and altarpieces. Others where the door becomes the classic North America Indian teepee, or where the scene turns out to be a chess board. Big engraved brass plaques in Haiti, multicoloured pumpkins transformed into nativity scenes...

Over 3,800 different pieces are present in a sample topped off by one of the ten best Neapolitan-style nativity scenes in the world, which is dedicated to King Charles III.