The biggest nativity scene in Portugal is from the Algarve and lights up 5600 figures | Vila Real de Santo António
It is already famous as “the biggest nativity scene in the country” and is once again on stage in Vila Real de Santo António with pomp, circumstance and gigantism. It’s the Gigante Nativity Scene and it’s already in its 19th edition.
Premiered to visits at the beginning of the month, be on the António Aleixo Cultural Center until 9 January. Visitors watched as they admired the 5600 figures that make up the work – “many made from scratch by their authors and others that can reach several generations of euros” – and occupy “the entire exhibition area of the Centro Cultural António Aleixo”: 230 square meters.
Included “More than 80 animated and motorized pieces” and the lakes and lighting are considered “the secret of the event”, which requires a “complex support base where the several kilometers of cables are installed” and “ensure, for example, the circulation of water, the lighting of houses and the scenic effects”, explains one municipality.
But, in this work, all the numbers are impressive: “we used more than 40 days and 2500 hours of work, although the preparations already started several months ago”.
The nativity scene involves an extensive list of materials, but some more impressive numbers should be mentioned: more than 20 tons of sand, 4 tons of stone dust, 3000 kilos of cork and centuries of ornaments.
Even in terms of compositions and elements, the nativity scene is unique: it encompasses the “reenactment of many Christian episodes, but also “pagans associated with the Christmas season”, in addition to “evocative elements of the region, namely the Praça Marquês de Pombal, the old huts on the beach of Monte Gordo, the salt pans, the traditional Algarvian daughters-in-law ”and“ other local monuments ”.
In the local authority’s note, “the ecological aspect” is also highlighted: it is guaranteed that “most of the materials are natural or have been reused, with emphasis on cork and moss”, with LED lighting being used.
The Giant Nativity Scene is signed by Augusto Rosa and Teresa Marques, two municipal employees, with the collaboration of Joaquim Soares and António Bartolomeu.