Can you already feel the warmth of the holidays? It’s not too late to plan a Christmas trip and return to Italy to relive your fondest memories.

Eight hundred years after the first Nativity Scene, the bond between this small village in Lazio and Bethlehem is stronger than ever.

In 1223, in Greccio, a small village in the province of Rieti, St. Francis – after a trip to Palestine – recreated the Nativity scenes with people and animals, thus staging the first reenactment of the birth of Jesus, a tradition that would be repeated in homes all over the world in the following centuries. Eight hundred years later, the connection between this small Lazio village and Bethlehem is stronger than ever. Considered the first living Nativity Scene in history, Greccio’s event combines spirituality with history. Each year, the celebration honors the timeless tradition established by St. Francis, bringing the story of the Nativity to life in a captivating setting.

Timeless Tradition
Not just any living Nativity Scene, but a true reenactment: a unique chance for those with roots in Lazio to rediscover a region of extraordinary natural and artistic beauty. The living Nativity Scene in Greccio invites everyone to journey back in time, reliving a tradition that intertwines faith, community, and the magic of Christmas. An unforgettable journey through Lazio’s cultural heritage, which, starting on December 8 – the feast day of the Immaculate Conception – draws pilgrims and visitors from around the world.