The tradition of representing the birth of Jesus began a long time ago. It can be seen on the vestiges of a Roman sarcophagus from the 4th century. But in Catalonia there was no documented representation until the 14th century.

The evidence points to the pessebre, or nativity scene, being introduced under the influence of the Franciscans and Dominicans. Whilst we have records of nativity scenes being created in churches and palaces, no one knows for sure when the custom of making them at home began.

In the 18th century, though, the homemade pessebre was already a fact; so much so that a specialist trade had sprung up together with the Fira de Santa Llúcia, a Christmas fair where you can still buy all the things you need to make them.

In Catalonia, the traditional nativity scene is constructed using plant materials, like moss, cork and Jew's myrtle. Of course, it has to have the birth, situated in a cave or a stable, which acts as the focal point. It contains the Annuciation to the shepherds, and the three Kings, or Wise Men, complete the mystery of Christmas. The pessebre can also contain other scenes and characters: a washerwoman, an old lady spinning, a fisherman, and shepherds bringing presents to the baby Jesus. And others that are somewhat anachronistic: a priest with his umbrella, a policeman, a hunter, etc. Of the entire cast of characters, there is one that particularly stands out for his uniqueness, the caganer, or pooping man. Although he is not exclusive to the Catalan nativity scene, he is hugely popular.

Also remarkable is the tradition of craftsmen who enrich the pessebres with figures. Some are famous, such as the great artist Ramon Amadeu. Each figurine brings its own style and look to the pessebre, so the pessebrista has to combine them creatively.

Pessebrisme, the art of building pessebres, became so deeply rooted that by 1863 there were already many groups, and the Associació de Pessebristes de Barcelona was set up.