While in Britain we tend to go in for nativity plays – where primary school children act out the events surrounding the birth of Jesus to the delight of their proud/embarrassed parents –in Spain there is a long tradition of impressive nativity scenes or belenes.

Once again this year Valencia Cathedral has a popular (people queue to see it) and suitably large belén, made up of over 2,600 pieces. It’ll be on show from December 2 until January 6 and it’s free to get in.

You can find opening times on the website of the Cathedral: http://www.catedraldevalencia.es/

If you’d like to make a trip out of the city centre, I’d highly recommend a trip to El Belén de Roca (near Meliana). For eighteen years a local family (and their friends) have been making and displaying the nativity scene in their own home. Taking up more than 50 square metres of space, the construction is made even more spectacular by the many moving parts, including a flowing river.

To find out how to get there and for more info:

http://onanar.net/belenderoca/index.htm