Apparently nativity scenes or presépios (literally translated it means “crib”) are a big deal in Madeira. They are also unique in that the menagerie presented often extends past the usual cast of characters to include figurines depicting local crafts people, or whatever else may strike the designer’s fancy.
The town of Santana is known for it’s traditional triangle-shaped thatched-roof homes, so the manger barn takes on a similar shape surrounded by a few miniature houses and gigantic farm animals.
At the volunteer fire station in Calheta they’ve created an expansive labyrinth of passageways that shunts the baby Jesus and his coterie into a side annex in order to give prominence to a wind farm and an animatronic search and rescue helicopter performing a daring mission on the high seas.
But it’s not just churches, town squares and municipal building where these mise-en-scène are to be found. Many homes erect roadside presépio to display their own whimsical interpretation of Jesus’ birthday reception.
At the roadside attraction pictured above, K-pop superstar Psy and one of the Thundercats can be found among the throng of figurines that have come to pay their respects.
