La Seu d'Urgell's Living Nativity Blends Tradition with Anachronistic Fun

Visitors to the living nativity scene in La Seu d'Urgell might have missed some behind-the-scenes highlights if they failed to glance back after passing the characters. The display, a longstanding tradition in the capital of Alt Urgell, featured performers bringing to life the birth of Jesus in Nazareth. It wrapped up on Holy Innocents' Day, with sessions held on December 22 and 27.

Spectators faced an initial puzzle upon arrival: spotting the anachronistic item among the market stalls. The culprit was the truffle, unknown in the 1st century AD. Organizers highlighted how a genuine historical market would have offered cabbages dusted with frost, roasted garlic heads, and other period-appropriate produce—but no potatoes, which only reached Europe after Columbus's voyages centuries later. This custom market, complete with truffles, underscored the blend of tradition and imagination.

King Herod's actor expressed mock surprise at being mistaken for Julius Caesar by some attendees. The piece encouraged audiences to follow guidelines for the full experience, amid a convivial atmosphere created by committed performers.

Weather posed challenges, as it often does. Light rain dampened the figures without fading their colors, while wind has forced cancellations in the past, including one session last year. Post-pandemic, patience has grown thinner, yet most visitors responded understandingly—a gesture organizers appreciated.

The event showcased La Seu d'Urgell's rich heritage, enhancing such cultural activities. A local UNESCO candidacy, if successful in the coming years, could elevate the nativity's status to world heritage level. Organizers invite return visits, warning playfully that lingering too long risks blending into the scene itself.