Dalmine’s Museo del Presepio is an institution founded back in 1975 by Don Giacomo Piazzoli, collector and crib maker, studying, preserving and enhancing since forty years a world unique collection completely focused on the nativity theme.
More than one-thousand cribs of different ages, provenance, dimensions and materials are available to be seen: precious 1700 Naples cribs but also nineteenth century’s creations from Bergamo area. Hand-made works from single artists or main contemporary crib-makers schools. Museum’s 1200 square meters of exposition allow to discover astonishing crib examples from almost any part of Italy and many from the whole world as well, telling us a long story about diffusion and variety in shapes and styles of this ancient art.
Among its collections, the Museo del Presepio also includes archaeological findings coming from the Holy Land, ancient printings, paper cribs, holy pictures, Christmas cards, icons, photographs, Christmas’ music or musical scores and audiovisuals: more than 15.000 items, a fully specialized library and an historical archive.
Because of its very peculiar activity, the Museo del Presepio is constantly in touch with public and private institutions, in addiction to principal cultural organizations national or international founding many relationships and collaborations with knowledge-sharing or wide-spreading diffusion of work and expertise.
The museum is open to public during all year with many visitors, usually in a larger number from November to January. Every year, during Christmas’ time, museum’s art works are frequently requested from institutions in temporary exhibitions all around the world.
The Museo del Presepio is managed by one of the oldest section of the Italian Association of Crib’s Friends: Brembo di Dalmine group.
Plan your visit to the Museo del Presepio
More than one-thousand cribs of different ages, provenance, dimensions and materials are available to be seen: precious 1700 Naples cribs but also nineteenth century’s creations from Bergamo area. Hand-made works from single artists or main contemporary crib-makers schools. Museum’s 1200 square meters of exposition allow to discover astonishing crib examples from almost any part of Italy and many from the whole world as well, telling us a long story about diffusion and variety in shapes and styles of this ancient art.
Among its collections, the Museo del Presepio also includes archaeological findings coming from the Holy Land, ancient printings, paper cribs, holy pictures, Christmas cards, icons, photographs, Christmas’ music or musical scores and audiovisuals: more than 15.000 items, a fully specialized library and an historical archive.
Because of its very peculiar activity, the Museo del Presepio is constantly in touch with public and private institutions, in addiction to principal cultural organizations national or international founding many relationships and collaborations with knowledge-sharing or wide-spreading diffusion of work and expertise.
The museum is open to public during all year with many visitors, usually in a larger number from November to January. Every year, during Christmas’ time, museum’s art works are frequently requested from institutions in temporary exhibitions all around the world.
The Museo del Presepio is managed by one of the oldest section of the Italian Association of Crib's Friend: Brembo di Dalmine group.