Travel
- 10 Nativity Scene Photos From Spain
It is an important Christmas tradition in Spain to design intricate nativity scenes and display them in public places. And for my husband and I it is a fun tradition to go see them every year. I wasn't going to publish yet another nativity post this...
- Nativity Scenes From Around The World
I consider myself super lucky to have seen this magnificent exhibition featuring 60 nativity scenes from around the world. It's amazing how much variety and imagination it's out there! I particularly like the one from the Netherlands because...
- Photo Of The Day: Knocking At The Apostles Gate
The Apostles Gate, one of the three gates of the Valencia Cathedral What makes the Cathedral of Valencia so special in my eyes is its outstanding architecture and the mixture of styles it was built in. The main entrance is Baroque, the Apostles Gate...
- Las Fallas Festival, Valencia: Fallas & Ninots
Las Fallas or the Festival of Fire is held in Valencia, Spain every year from the 1st to the 19th of March. People hit the streets dressed up in traditional costumes, build a huge statue of Virgin Mary out of flowers and enormous fallas...
- Las Fallas Festival, Valencia: Mascleta
Las Fallas or the Festival of Fire is held in Valencia, Spain every year from the 1st to the 19th of March. People hit the streets dressed up in traditional costumes, build a huge statue of Virgin Mary out of flowers and enormous fallas...
Travel
Two Spanish Traditions: The Three Wise Men & The Belén
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| Nativity display or Belén in Valencia's cathedral |
I bet for most of you winter holidays are over and the memories are slowly settling down, but here in Spain, the best is yet to come. Tonight is magic in the land of Don Quixote. Every mother's child is awaiting the arrival or the Three Wise Men (Los Reyes Magos) with lots of great presents. However, if you were a bad boy or girl, all you'll get is a small sack of sweet coal. So you better watch out!
Though Santa Claus conquered the hearts of many Spanish families that decided to adopt him during the past few years, in nowadays economy, many parents would gladly give him back. The traditional Three Wise Men (Melchor, Gaspar y Baltasar) remain everybody's favourites and tonight they come by boat or by plane and visit every little town or big city from Spain, in a parade that lasts up to two hours. Well before the night falls, kids of all ages gather on the side of the road looking forward to meeting the Three Wise Men and catching the thousands of kilos of candies and toys they will throw to the public.
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| Nativity display or Belén in Valencia's cathedral |
In the meantime, Beléns or Bethlehems, ingenious nativity scenes, are organized in every town. For a few years now the one in Valencia is organized inside the cathedral. This is a beautiful tradition, but unfortunately the size of the model is shrinking by the year. It's not a sign from God. It's just a sign that the economy is not going as it should. People cue for hundreds of meters to see the Belén. I waited for the crowds to settle down and today I finally had a good look at this year's Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Three Wise Men and the other little people that formed a beautiful scene of the times. The Belén has been on display for good part of the month of December. The last day it can be seen is usually the 6th or the 7th of January, both being National Bank Holidays here. Enjoy the pics of the nativity display from Valencia's cathedral!
- 10 Nativity Scene Photos From Spain
It is an important Christmas tradition in Spain to design intricate nativity scenes and display them in public places. And for my husband and I it is a fun tradition to go see them every year. I wasn't going to publish yet another nativity post this...
- Nativity Scenes From Around The World
I consider myself super lucky to have seen this magnificent exhibition featuring 60 nativity scenes from around the world. It's amazing how much variety and imagination it's out there! I particularly like the one from the Netherlands because...
- Photo Of The Day: Knocking At The Apostles Gate
The Apostles Gate, one of the three gates of the Valencia Cathedral What makes the Cathedral of Valencia so special in my eyes is its outstanding architecture and the mixture of styles it was built in. The main entrance is Baroque, the Apostles Gate...
- Las Fallas Festival, Valencia: Fallas & Ninots
Las Fallas or the Festival of Fire is held in Valencia, Spain every year from the 1st to the 19th of March. People hit the streets dressed up in traditional costumes, build a huge statue of Virgin Mary out of flowers and enormous fallas...
- Las Fallas Festival, Valencia: Mascleta
Las Fallas or the Festival of Fire is held in Valencia, Spain every year from the 1st to the 19th of March. People hit the streets dressed up in traditional costumes, build a huge statue of Virgin Mary out of flowers and enormous fallas...