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(KSL News) -- The most ancient carved nativity in the world is once again open to the public, just in time for Christmas.
Carved entirely out of marble almost 700 years ago, the nativity scene is housed in Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome near the Vatican.
After months of restoration work on the piece, the public can once again enjoy the massive carving.
Commissioned back in 12-91 by Nicholas the Fourth, the first pope from the Franciscan order, the marble nativity has undergone dozens of alterations over the centuries.
Only Joseph, the ox and donkey and the three wise men are from the original carving.
