San Gregorio Armeno is a must-see for lovers of Christmas and tradition, a glimpse of Naples now become a symbol of craftsmanship made in Italy where you can enjoy the magic of Christmas! To this day, San Gregorio Armeno boasts a reputation that makes it an iconic place but how was it born?
To know the history of the tradition of San Gregorio Armeno we must go back in time, until the eighteenth century, when the Neapolitan artisans began to create statuettes for the realization of artistic cribs.
Their particular feature, in fact, was that they were not the classic nativity figurines depicting biblical characters but statuettes that also represented ordinary people of everyday life.
Over the years, the Neapolitan statuettes have also become a way to pay tribute to various prominent personalities: political figures, television, sports and current icons.
Today San Gregorio Armeno has become a real open-air market where the craft is in the center of the scene, not only in the form of cribs but also Christmas decorations, painting and more. Everything, strictly, made in Italy.
San Gregorio Armeno
San Gregorio Armeno, also known as the Via dei Presepi, represents a slice of the city of Naples now famous all over the world, an ode to the craftsmanship made in Italy and originality that distinguishes the creations and makes them inimitable.
Naples is a lively, colorful, folkloristic city and San Gregorio Armeno is not a place dedicated to Christmas lovers but it is ideal for anyone who wants to taste the true spirit of this city.
And not only for the craft exhibition that you can admire but also for its position that makes it nothing short of spectacular: in fact, San Gregorio Armeno is positioned at the center between the two Decumani and is a continuation, almost natural, of Spaccanapoli.
It is no wonder that every year, at Christmas, Naples attracts many visitors who are excited to admire the imaginative creations of local artisans.
It is important, especially for the Master Craftsmen of San Gregorio Armeno, that all know how to grasp the spirit of this street now so famous and frequented. The open-air exhibition of San Gregorio Armeno is in fact a tradition to which both the Master Craftsmen and the local inhabitants are intrinsically linked.
It is the Christmas place par excellence, the place that welcomes all those who are in search of the exciting magic of Christmas: visitors, tourists, families, children.
It is not a mere exhibition for sale and commerce, but a representation of the Neapolitan spirit.
For this reason, when a few weeks ago a councillor of the Neapolitan City Council presented the proposal of a 5 euro ticket for access to the Via dei Presepi, the Master Artisans responded by opposing the initiative.
According to the words of the artisans interviewed, a similar move would destroy the authentic value of San Gregorio Armeno which, every year, becomes the ideal place for family and children walks, sharing the magic of Christmas.
Here is how the president of the Master Craftsmen of San Gregorio Armeno, Vincenzo Capuano said:
“The Shops of San Gregorio Armeno, in respect of the ancient tradition of Christmas, cannot share an address that would destroy the value authentically popular and democratic walks, which in the period before Christmas, Cheer our way with the presence of families and children, from all over the world, Lovers of the crib and its great symbolic value of peace and brotherhood […] We are the first defenders of the Ancient Center and we care about its preservation but other safeguards must be implemented.”
From the words of Vincenzo Capuano transpires the desire to protect the historic center of the city without going at the expense of the joyful spirit of the event and, in general, of the city of Naples.
Cover: Pixabay
