John Miniero and his Neapolitan Presepio on display at Casa Belvedere, Grymes Hill. (Courtesy/Marian Rodi)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- We know that John Miniero, a very charitable Brooklynite, displays an extraordinary Neapolitan Presepio outside his home each Christmas season.
The must-see display is located at 14th Avenue and 80th Street.
But what some folks don't know is that the artist agreed to do an indoor display of his masterpiece at Casa Belvedere, the Italian Cultural Center on Grymes Hill, where he unveiled the newly created "Bottle Presepi."
The Neapolitan Presepio on display at Casa Belvedere. (Courtesy/Marion Rodi)
Miniero was born in Sorrento, Italy, and immigrated to America in 1957 when he was just 12 years old.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964 and was a baker who owned Sorrento Bakery for 28 years from 1984 to 2002.
A cake decorator since then, he finally retired this year.
The intricate detail of the Neapolitan Presepio can be seen in this close up. (Courtesy/Marian Rodi)
Miniero's been fascinated with the presepio ever since he was a child.
He remembers his dad handcrafting the "home style" landscape utilizing brown paper, flour and water and supporting the masterpiece with fig tree branches, said Louis M. Barrella, a lecturer at cultural events.
Barrella added that when Miniero began creating his own presepio, he displayed it in the store window of his bakery.
Spectators marvel at the beauty of the Neapolitan Presepio. (Courtesy/Marian Rodi)
After selling the business, Miniero began building a new presepio at home. It has now grown to 15 feet across and is mounted in a display case outside his home.
Among the unique features are a landscape made of the raw bark of a cork tree, authentic houses of the Campania Region of Italy, multiple sections of running water and hundreds of paisani -- friends and/or relatives in the Italian language.
John Miniero's Neapolitan Presepio. (Courtesy/Marian Rodi)
And now this wonderful expression of Christmas is on display at Casa Belvedere, where it will remain through Little Christmas on Jan. 6, a day that is also known as the Feast of the Epiphany.
The Youth Choir from St. Joseph/St. Mary's Parish serenades the crowd at Casa Belvedere during the unveiling of the magnificent Neapolitan Presepio provided by John Miniero. (Courtesy/Marian Rodi)
Onlookers take photos of the Neapolitan Presepio at Casa Belvedere. (Courtesy/Marian Rodi)
Ad Choices