Opening the Meucci’s Historical Nativity Scene Animated | Calci

Housed in the History Museum of the University of Pisa, the nativity scenes are a real gem, created from the fusion of three separate mechanical nativity scenes made entirely by hand between 1948 and 1962 by two craftsmen from Calcesano, Renzo and Alberto Meucci, with the help of their collaborators.

After the first nativity scene, dating back to 1948, others were built, which Renzo and Alberto took to Pisa, Livorno, Bologna, Verona, Milan, Turin, Parma, Ferrara, Rome and even Bogota, Colombia.

The unique feature of the nativity scene is that some of the dozens of characters are in motion. In addition, the scenery is carefully crafted, showing ancient costumes and crafts, and is enriched by plays of perspective, light and colour that give it a touch of realism and charm.