by Chiara from Naples asks Santa about nativity scenes, learns about Mount Vesuvius, and hears about the San Gregorio Armeno figurine-carving tradition
Dear Santa, my name is Chiara and I am nine years old. I live in Naples, Italy, where my nonna says our whole city sits in the shadow of a volcano that everyone respects but almost nobody worries about too much day to day.
Dear Chiara, I have kept a respectful, careful distance from that particular volcano myself, and your nonna’s calm attitude toward it has always impressed me.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, what is a Christmas nativity scene? My family has an enormous one that takes up half our living room, and I want to understand it properly, not just help set it up every year.
A nativity scene, or presepe as it is called in Naples, recreates the birth of baby Jesus in Bethlehem using small figures, often including Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and animals gathered around a manger. Naples in particular is famous for building elaborate, detailed versions, sometimes including entire miniature villages alongside the central scene.
My second question is about our volcano. My teacher says Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous and dangerous volcanoes in history. Is that true?
It is, Chiara. Mount Vesuvius is historically significant, famously connected to the ancient destruction of Pompeii, and it remains an active volcano watched carefully to this day. Flying near its dark silhouette each Christmas Eve always fills me with genuine, quiet respect.
My third question is about San Gregorio Armeno. My family buys new figurines from that street every year to add to our presepe. Why is that particular street so famous?
San Gregorio Armeno is a historic Neapolitan street renowned for centuries of skilled artisans handcrafting nativity figurines, some depicting the traditional holy family, others depicting everyday townspeople and even modern celebrities in miniature form. It is one of the most remarkable displays of craftsmanship I fly over all season, generations of careful, patient artistry in one single street.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Chiara Esposito
Naples, Italy
P.S. Do you have a presepe at the North Pole too?
A rather large one, Chiara, added to carefully every year, much like your own family’s.
