Missives from a Metropolis

Missives from a Metropolis

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Missives from a Metropolis
Missives from a Metropolis
P.S. Rome's Nativity Scenes

P.S. Rome's Nativity Scenes

In Italy, nativity scenes outshine Christmas trees, and the Vatican's outdoor exhibition of them offers a peaceful detour from holiday chaos.

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Sheila Pierce
Dec 20, 2023
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Missives from a Metropolis
Missives from a Metropolis
P.S. Rome's Nativity Scenes
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Magical St. Peter’s Square by night during the holiday season.

A heartfelt thanks to my paid subscribers who kindly made my birthday wish come true! This is my first “P.S” post, exclusively for paid subscribers, and I encourage you to share this newsletter with others interested in reading about Italy!

Over the years, Rome has upped its game in its Christmas decorations — take Fendi’s Geometric Star Tree, Christian Dior’s gaudy White Wonder perched halfway up the Spanish Steps, and the countless streets of cobble-stoned Rome now dripping with flashing garlands and stars that dangle from many of its palazzi.

But, traditional, subdued Christmas still glows in St. Peter’s Square where its life-size nativity scene (on display in front of the Basilica) and the outdoor exhibition of others created by Italian creatives (featured under one of its porticos) capture the magic of the holiday like dollhouses next to a castle.

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