Naples' Christmas meets the future: how we created the San Gennaro Pop Tree.
In Naples, Christmas is a serious affair. It's not just a celebration, it's an atmosphere that enters our homes, made of scents, lights, and symbols that protect us.
This year, in the SANTO POP® laboratory, we set ourselves a challenge: how can we tell this magic in a new way? How can we combine our most ancient tradition with the most modern technology?
The answer was born from the fusion of two worlds: the warmth of wood and the precision of digital.
The Birth of an Idea
We wanted the protagonist to be him, San Gennaro , our pop icon of protection. But we didn't want a typical figurine. We wanted to create a "home" around him, a setting that was elegant and Christmassy.
This is how the San Gennaro Pop Tree project was born.
Technology and Craftsmanship: The "Making Of"
Creating this object requires two very different steps, which must fit together perfectly:
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The 3D Heart: It all starts with printing the small statue of San Gennaro. We use a special bioplastic (PLA) with a Metallic Gold finish. The 3D printer builds the character layer by layer, giving it the iconic, modern shape you've come to know so well.
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The Wooden Soul: For the tree's structure, we chose natural wood. This is where our precision laser engraver comes into play. The laser beam doesn't just cut out the outline of the tree and stars; it delicately engraves the SANTO POP® logo on the base, lightly burning the wood and creating that artisanal scent you smell as soon as you open the package.
Why is it a unique piece?
The end result is a non-industrial object. Each tree is assembled by hand in our Naples workshop.
The cool, brilliant gold of the figurine contrasts with the warm color and natural grain of the wood, creating a perfect balance between tradition and modernity. Just like our project.
This Christmas, we hope the San Gennaro Pop Tree brings a bit of that light, protection, and Neapolitan creativity into your homes.