If you’ve visited Malta around Christmas time, you’re bound to have come across the signs in different villages advertising Christmas Cribs. These creations, which locals often slave over for months prior to the season, are part of Maltese tradition, with elaborate nativity scenes found on all corners of the island.

History

The tradition of Christmas crib-making in Malta has been around for centuries, with its origins going as far back as the 17^th century. As the years have gone by, many cribs have garnered their own distinct characteristics – sometimes featuring the Maltese landscape, ruins, windmills, rubble walls and village buildings, as well as hand-painted clay figures by Maltese artisans.

Malta’s best cribs

Each year, artisans from across Malta exhibit their creations in the annual National Cribs Competition organised by Festivals Malta, with some participants taking part in the competition, or simply including their creation as part of an exhibition.

The competition, which features original hand-crafted and painted cribs by talented local artisans, is split up into six categories, which are divided according to crib size, whether or not the crib is mechanical, the concept and the materials used.

And the winners are…

Mechanical Cribs - Giovann Muscat, Razzett tal-Markiż Mallia Tabone, 27, Triq Wied il-Għasel, Il-Mosta

Large Cribs Biblical Style - Lorry Camilleri, 403, Triq il-Kbira, Mosta

Medium-sized Crib - Salvatore de Martino, Maħżen tal-Armar, Triq il-Knisja, Mosta

Small Crib - Rosalino Saliba, La Rosa Mansions, Garage C, Good Shepherd Avenue, Ħal Balzan

Original Crib - Reuben Pullicino, Parroċċa Ħaż-Żabbar, Pjazza Medjatriċi, Ħaż-Żabbar

Check out the full list of winners, including cribs that came in second and third places, here. 

A must-see

The beautiful works by Maltese artisans are open for viewing until 5th January, with viewings between 5pm and 8pm, making for a perfect outing to get the entire family into the Christmas spirit. The competition celebrates the beauty and artistic side of Christmas, and no Maltese Christmas is complete without a visit to a local crib (or three!) Check out all the cribs that are available for viewing here!