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One of the typical Xmas activities that \u201cmadrile\u00f1os\u201d enjoy is to visit Nativity scene exhibitions (\u201cbelenes\u201d). There are thousands all over the city, in every church there is one and in almost every office of any organization, both private and public, another one is exhibited. And most have expanded visiting schedules and free entrance during the month of December and until January 7 (Three Wise Men day).<\/p>\n
In many cases, the exact opening dates of each \u201cbel\u00e9n\u201d are not officially confirmed until the same day the visits begin, usually by December 1-15 and generally coincides with the opening dates of the previous year. It\u2019s advisable to seek confirmation if you intend to go before the 15th. In addition, bear in mind that in some cases, long queues are formed to enter, it\u2019s advisable to come first time in the morning or afternoon.<\/p>\n
If you want to search for districts, here<\/a> you\u2019ll find almost all the \u201cbelenes\u201d on display this Christmas.<\/p>\n Below you will find a list of the most spectacular \u201cbelenes\u201d and which, by the way, all (except the last one) are in the Distrito Centro and can be visited the same day following a route of about 4 hours, the order of this list can serve as a guide to organize it.<\/p>\n The Nativity Scene of the Royal Palace of Madrid has its origin in the Nativity Scene of the Prince initiated by Charles III for his son the Prince of Asturias, future Charles IV and continues to grow in number of figures until today.<\/p>\n The \u201cbel\u00e9n\u201d of the Royal Palace of Madrid<\/a> opens from 6 December 2023 to 14 January 2024, with opening hours from 10 am to 6 pm (last access at 5 pm) and free admission.<\/p>\n Behind the Plaza de la Villa, in the Plaza del Conde de Miranda n\u00ba 3, is the traditional Bel\u00e9n de las Carboneras<\/a>. This is how the Convent of the Jer\u00f3nimas Nuns, located in that corner of Madrid, is popularly known.<\/p>\n Its usual location is a lattice room that shows a crib (\u201cMisterio\u201d) and a Three Wise Men Cavalcade, with beautiful Baroque figures made by Antonio Jos\u00e9 Mart\u00ednez. Although it is very small, it is worth a visit.<\/p>\n It is usually opened from December 6th until January 8th, with visiting hours from 8.30 to 13 hours and from 16.30 to 19 hours. It is open on Sundays and public holidays from 9.30 to 13h and from 16.30 to 18.30h a.m. Entrance is free of charge.<\/p>\n This is a popular monumental Nativity scene of the image-maker Jos\u00e9 Luis Mayo Lebrija designed by Mar\u00eda Dolores Criado de la Brida.<\/p>\n The Basilica of San Miguel<\/a> is located in the street of San Justo n\u00ba 4 next to the Archbishop\u2019s Palace, in the heart of the area known as Madrid de los Austrias.<\/p>\n It usually starts December 1st to January 19th. Visiting hours are from Monday to Friday, from 11:00 to 12:30 and from 17:30 to 20:30. Saturdays and Sundays, from 17:30 to 20:30 h. Admission is free.<\/p>\n In the Church of San Gin\u00e9s<\/a> (calle Arenal n\u00ba 13) there is a Baroque crib with life-size dress figures, by Antonio Jos\u00e9 Mart\u00ednez Rodr\u00edguez.<\/p>\n It used to be visited from December 14th to January 12th, with visiting hours from 9 to 13 and from 18 to 21. On Sundays and public holidays in the mornings it\u2019s open from 10 am to 2 pm, maintaining the same timetable in the afternoons as the rest of the days of the week. Entrance is free of charge.<\/p>\n It is located in the Real Casa de Correos<\/a> de la Puerta del Sol (current headquarters of the Community of Madrid), with entrance on the side of the building on Calle Correos.<\/p>\n With more than 500 figures, it is traditionally made by the Association of Nativity Scene Makers of Madrid, and each year has a special theme.<\/p>\n It will be open from November 30, 2023 to January 7, 2024, from 10 am to 10 pm. On December 3 from 12.30 to 22 h. On December 24 and 31 and January 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. And on December 25 and January 1, closed. Free admission.<\/p>\n In this museum<\/a> (Fuencarral n\u00ba 78), from December 1st 2023 until February 4th 2024, it\u2019s exhibited a Neapolitan nativity scene from the 18th century. The crib consists of 50 articulated figures, and can be visited free of charge from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 8 pm. It will remain close every Sunday, Dec 24th, 25th, 31st and Jan 1st and 6th.<\/p>\n The \u201cbel\u00e9n\u201d of the Church of Jes\u00fas de Medinaceli<\/a> (Plaza de Jes\u00fas n\u00ba 2) is a baroque Crib with life-size dressing figures. In an adjoining chapel there is a popular Nativity scene.<\/p>\n It usually opens from December 19th to January 10th, visiting hours are from Monday to Thursday from 7.30 am to 1.30 pm and from 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm; and Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 8.30 am to 14 pm and from 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Free entrance.<\/p>\n This is a popular nativity scene<\/a> with about 250 figures of the artist Jos\u00e9 Luis Mayo mounted by the Association of Nativity Scene of Madrid. Open from November 23rd to January 4th.<\/p>\n Visiting hours are every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., except on 24, 25 and 31 December and 5 January, which closes at 2 p.m.; 1 and 6 January is closed. Free entrance but you need to download the invitation in the link above.<\/p>\n It is the oldest solidarity crib<\/a> in Madrid. With a surface area of more than 35 square metres, the Monumental Nativity Scene of the Order of Saint John of God (Herreros de Tejada n\u00ba 3) has been on display since 1940. Each year is different, since it is not always conformed by the same figures, due to the enormous amount of images available.<\/p>\n It usually opens from the end of November to January 11th. The opening hours are from 11 am to 1.30 pm and from 4.00 pm to 8 pm. On the 24th, 25th, 31st and 1st the opening hours are shorter.<\/p>\n The fundraising is to finance the Albergue de San Juan de Dios.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc40 Some of the links contain information from past years’ visits but a very detailed description of the Nativity Scene, that is why they are included. \u203c\ufe0f<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n If you are planning to move to Madrid soon, you will find all the relevant information in The secret of relocating to Madrid<\/em><\/a>. If, in addition, you need help with the organization or even if we accompany you, check out our services<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the meantime, you can receive regular information by filling out this questionnaire. And if you find it useful, we thank you for sharing it.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Xmas 2023. Bel\u00e9n napolitano del Palacio Real<\/h2>\n
Xmas 2023. Bel\u00e9n del Convento de las Carboneras<\/h2>\n
Xmas 2023. Bel\u00e9n de la Bas\u00edlica Pontificia de San Miguel<\/h2>\n
Xmas 2023. Bel\u00e9n de la iglesia de San Gin\u00e9s<\/h2>\n
Xmas 2023. Bel\u00e9n de la Comunidad de Madrid en la Puerta del Sol<\/h2>\n
Xmas 2023. Bel\u00e9n del Museo de Historia de Madrid<\/h2>\n
Xmas 2023. Bel\u00e9n de la iglesia-Bas\u00edlica de Jes\u00fas de Medinaceli<\/h2>\n
Xmas 2023. Bel\u00e9n del Ayuntamiento en Palacio de Cibeles<\/h2>\n
Xmas 2023. Bel\u00e9n del Hospital de San Rafael<\/h2>\n
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