PERMANENT EXHIBITION

FROM 15 DECEMBER TO 30 JANUARY Every day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

FROM 1 FEBRUARY TO 14 DECEMBEREvery day from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYSFrom 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Free admittance

www.amaroma.it

AMA headquarters -Via dei Cavalleggeri 5 - Rome

There has always been a special relationship between the Street Cleaners’ Nativity scene and the Popes, who from 1974, with Pope Paul VI, have paid homage to this humble yet important Nativity scene at the home of AMA in Via dei Cavalleggeri 5.

Pope John Paul II, from the start of his pontificate (1978) and up until 2002, never once in 24 years missed this traditional Christmas appointment with Ianni and his colleagues, sealing this profound bond with the decision to «confirm and approve that the Blessed Virgin venerated with the title Madonna of the Street should be proclaimed Patron Saint of the Roman street cleaners».

Also His Holiness Benedict XVI, in the first year of his pontificate,paid his own respects saying that «going to the AMA to pray before the work of Ianni is like going on a pilgrimage to Bethlehem, to the holy grotto where our Saviour was born».

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The Nativity Scene most visitedby the Popes

t is the Nativity scene of the Romans, the Popes, the Street Cleaners. Someone said that it is the Nativity scene of the Popes because Pope Wojtyla was in love with it; he remembered every little detail, what was there and what was not there.

Conceived and made in 1972 by the street cleaner Giuseppe Ianni, with the invaluable collaboration of his colleagues in the Cavalleggeri district, it has been called “a precious stone set in the Aurelio neighbourhood, a few metres from the Vatican”. Over the years, about two million Romans, together with tourists, government and religious dignitaries, Heads of State and Popes have paid homage to the work of the street cleaner Giuseppe Ianni, coming together in prayer in front of the buildings typical of Palestine 2,000 years ago to testify to the message of peace and brotherhood of the Nativity represented by the over 350 stones coming from all over the world that were used for this exceptional work of art.

Enhanced each year with new features, like the impressive Genealogy of Jesus, the Street Cleaners’ Nativity scene is composed of more than 2,000 stones and reproduces down to the smallest detail the characteristic style of the buildings of Palestine 2,000 years ago.A slice of the world that has been enchanting young and old alike for years; the 100 houses that have been masterfully constructed in tufa stone and slabs of flint (sanpietrini), all of which have individual lighting, are detailed pieces of work with doors, windows and balconies.A smoking chimney, 54 metres of flint roads, 3 rivers measuring 9.5 metres long, with 7 bridges and 4 eighteen metres-long aqueducts that are supported

All the mayors of Rome, from Luigi Petroselli to Gianni Alemanno, together with lay and ecclesiastical personalities, over the years have admired the work of the Roman street cleaners.

Famous visitors include:

Pope Paul VI (1974)Pope John Paul II(dal 1978 al 2002), Pope Benedict XVI (2006),Mother Theresa of Calcutta (1996)

Father Ibrahim Faltas, Custodian of the “Nativity Grotta” in Bethlehem, Monsignor Mauro Parmeggiani, current Bishop of Tivoli, the Cardinals Pio Laghi, Angelo Sodano (Deacon of the Sacred College) Tarcisio Bertone (Secretary of State), Agostino Vallini (His Holiness’ Vicar for the Diocese of Rome).The president of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano (31 December 2007).

I by 38 arches. The smallest aqueduct is made of Roman tufa stone, the other three with fragments of marble from the colonnade and façade of Saint Peter’s Basilica, received from His Excellency Cardinal Virgilio Noè.

Completing the Holy Nativity scene are: 4 springs, 2 moist walls that form stalactites, 1 well with spring water, 650 steps, 400 of which are made with marble coming from the colonnade of Saint Peter and the remaining 250 made with stones from Burma, Bethlehem, the historic Sanctuary in Greccio and the Shrine in San Giovanni Rotondo. Twenty-four caves hollowed out in the rock are used as stalls or shelter for the shepherds and their flocks, others as stores containing demijohns of wine and oil; 50 skilfully woven sacks donated by a Roman aristocrat are full of cereals, salt and flour.

The Dove donated by the painter Anna Minardo on the occasion of the preparatory year for the Jubilee dedicated to the Holy Spirit is above the cave, in the centre of the rays made of olive wood from Bethlehem (presented by Father Ibrahim Faltas, former Custodian of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem).The descent of Angels from heaven and the alternation of day and night render the setting

and the vast landscape of about 270 characters, over 100 sheep, 12 camels, 4 donkeys, 4 oxen and 2 dogs even more striking. Above the cave of the Nativity there is a fragment of the Holy Rock where St. Rita of Cascia used to kneel in prayer, donated in March 2009 by Gino Emili, the mayor of Cascia.

In the room that houses the charming Street Cleaners’ Nativity scene, three large paintings can be admired:

The Multiplication of the loaves and fishes by Carlo Riccardi and Maddy Battaglini;

Pope John Paul II with children from 5 continents by Simona Bellante, Salvatore Tedone and Carlo Riccardi;

Mother Theresa of Calcutta by Marta Cirillo and Carlo Riccardi.

Illustrious visitors to theStreet Cleaners’ Nativity Scene

The Nativity Scene