The New Nativity Scene

The New Nativity Scene in St. Martin's Cathedral is a fruit of the 800th anniversary of the first Nativity Scene, commemorated last year. This tradition was initiated by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 in the town of Greccio in the Italian region of Umbria.

The series of 26 wooden figures, carved from lime and Swiss pine wood, originates from the town of Ortisei (German: St. Ulrich) in South Tyrol, northern Italy. These workshops also crafted the entire Neo-Gothic furnishings of St. Martin’s Cathedral, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, thus creating a direct link between the Nativity Scene and the Cathedral's heritage. The statues, each approximately 40 cm tall and displaying a subtle Baroque style, were created in Tyrolean workshops during the second half of the 20th century. This entirely handcrafted work is certified with a special designation of authenticity.

The Nativity Scene is set in early modern Bratislava, shown through a reproduction of a city view by Matthäus Merian (1630–1650), whose original is in the Slovak National Gallery. The image shows the Old Town surrounded by walls, with church towers standing out, symbolizing that the people of the city had already embraced the Gospel.

The Nativity Scene emphasizes the historical reality that the birth of Christ took place on the outskirts of a town. Two parts of the scene—the view of Bratislava and the Nativity—are linked by three figures: a man lying on the ground, a man carrying wood into the city, and a man looking at the Nativity Scene. The shepherds and Wise Men represent the groups who, according to the Gospel, came to worship Jesus. Carollers symbolize humanity receiving the message of Christmas, while a man shearing a sheep represents those who failed to notice the arrival of the Messiah.  Other individual characters, such as a woman at the well or a man seated on a bench, complete the scene, with all figures captured in action and expressing the emotion of the moment.

From an artistic perspective, the figure of St. Joseph stands out, perhaps reflecting the carvers' special veneration for this saint, traditionally depicted as a carpenter. Another exceptional artistic achievement is the portrayal of the Madonna and the first of the Wise Men, both bowing before the newborn Jesus.

The Nativity Scene is enhanced by the Latin inscription "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" ("Glory to God in the highest"), placed on the city wall and continuing around the manger with the words "et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis" ("and on earth peace to people of goodwill"). On either side, the inscription features a quote from a hymn of praise: "We praise You, we bless You, we adore You, we glorify You."

The scene is set in a Gothic-style structure, connecting it to the Gothic interior of the Cathedral. This reminds visitors that each generation must decide whether to accept Jesus as their Savior. The view of St. Martin’s Cathedral in the cityscape highlights the Church as a special place for meeting God.

May the birth of Christ not just be a memory of a past event, but something alive in our hearts today. Let us allow the Lord to bring humanity humility, innocence and new hope.

The New Nativity Scene also prepares for the Jubilee Year 2025, which will be solemnly inaugurated at St. Martin's Cathedral on the Feast of the Holy Family on December 29th.

Author and Creator: Branislav Moskáľ, Sculptor

Woodwork: Emil Jankovič, Artistic Carpenter