As of today, you will see untold numbers of Beléns all over Spain.

In Mallorca, where I live, you will find a large number of Nativity scenes on public display. One of the largest Belén setups can be admired at the Claustro de Sant Antoniet, in Carrer de Sant Miquel, one of the oldest ones (the Belén La Sang) in Plaza Hospital, one of the most popular ones at the Cort (Ayuntamiento) in Palma’s Plaza Cort and one of the most impressive ones, for the beauty of its figurines, at the Palau Reial (Palau March) in Calle Conquistador.

The wittiest nativity scene that I saw this year, is perhaps a fish tank scene (shown above), that can be found in the fish hall of Mercat de l’Olivar, in Plaza Olivar. Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, an ox and a donkey stand, happily submerged, in a fish tank, with three or four goldfish joyously swimming amongst them.

The photo was taken in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The date: December 22nd, 2007. The time was 14:28:43.