Life-size crib at airport

A life-size replica of the traditional Maltese crib, Il-presepju, is the main feature of the Malta International Airport's Christmas decorations. Such cribs go back to the 17th century. A crib was built for the Dominican church in Rabat in 1617.

A life-size replica of the traditional Maltese crib, Il-presepju, is the main feature of the Malta International Airport's Christmas decorations.

Such cribs go back to the 17th century. A crib was built for the Dominican church in Rabat in 1617. Another, with the date 1826 inscribed on it, was built at the monastery of the Benedictine Sisters in Mdina.

The MIA crib was built by Fr Charles Vella, a Gozitan priest who resides in Valletta.

Father Vella, an artist and restorer who specialises in terracotta figurines, introduced the concept of the Neapolitan crib to Malta in 1996. His figures are beautifully dressed.

The structure of the crib at the airport was designed and built by employees in the MIA's Technical Services Department.

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