The live nativity crib Betlehem f’Għajnsielem reached its climax last Sunday, the feast of the Epiphany, with the visit of the Three Wise Men.

The men in period costume started their journey from Italy, where they visited the Vatican City to meet Maltese cardinal Prospero Grech and presented him with letters and messages written by Għajnsielem residents addressed to Pope Francis.

Their next stop was Tolfa, the Italian town twinned with Għajnsielem. Here, the Wise Men went through the main streets on horseback, accompanied by the local band and residents dressed in Jewish costumes.

After their arrival in Malta on an Air Malta flight, they travelled from Selmun Tower to Ċirkewwa on horseback, with a stop at Dar il-Madonna tal-Mellieħa and Mellieħa’s main square for a re-enactment of their meeting with King Herod.

The Wise Men crossed over to Gozo from Ċirkewwa and were met in Mgarr harbour by a delegation including Gozo Minister Anton Refalo and Għajnsielem major Frans Cauchi.

At Għajnsielem, they entered the stable where Jesus was born and offered him gifts of gold, myrrh and incense.

Għajnsielem’s radio station Radju Lauretana provided several live links throughout the event.

The Wise Men’s visit brought the live Nativity crib to a close.

An estimated 74,000 people, including 2,000 children, were recorded as having visited Betlehem f’Għajnsielem.