Have you ever seen the Living Cribs in Lazio? Discover the most characteristic villages where to see the most beautiful Nativity event.
Every year, in the villages of the Living Cribs Lazio, citizens do their utmost to bring to life one of the most heartfelt traditions of the Christian community. The historical setting of the small towns in this region adds further charm to Christmas, turning into real open-air stages.
In Greccio, one of the towns of the Living Cribs Lazio, back in 1223, St Francis created the world's first representation. Still today, in many places, Living Cribs Lazio are set up and organised. The aim is not only to make the Christmas atmosphere more evocative, but above all to hand down ancient religious and cultural traditions.
Thanks to the passion and creativity of local artists, but also to the help of ordinary people who act as figurants, true works of art are created. Pro Loco, associations, municipalities and other organisations organise the event of the birth of the Jesus in fascinating and in some cases unique locations.
We can find Living Cribs Lazio in churches, but also in premises made available by the community. The Living Cribs Lazio feature numerous classical characters of the Nativity in typical period costumes. You will find yourself immersed in the solemn and magical atmospheres of the past, to relive the Nativity, the most important moment of Christianity.
Living Cribs Lazio: the one in Greccio is the first Nativity representation in the world
The Historical Re-enactment of the Living Cribs Lazio, featuring characters in medieval costumes, is realised in six living scenes.
The historical representation relives the birth of the first of the Living Cribs Lazio in history, realised by Saint Francis of Assisi with the help of the Noble Lord of Greccio Giovanni Velita at Christmas 1223.
The entire scenography, framed by the evocative atmospheres of the village, will revive moments of strong emotional involvement and great spiritual intensity. A journey through the most significant episodes in the life of Saint Francis, which led him to represent the fundamental birth of Jesus.
Living Cribs Lazio will take place at the Sanctuary of the Hermitage located more than 700 metres above sea level and a few kilometres from the village of Greccio.
It is a historical theatrical representation of the First of the Living Cribs Lazio organised in the world.
Admission is Free and will take place on 24 December 2022 from 10.30 p.m. and from 26 to 28 December 2022 from 5.30 p.m. onwards. But also on 1, 6, 7 and 8 January 2023 from 5.30 p.m. onwards.
Living Cribs Lazio: the Christmas event in Europe's largest pedestrian precinct
One of the Living Crib Lazio starts again in the town of Artena. A month of events, from 8 December to 8 January, are waiting for you to experience the magic of Christmas among the narrow streets of Europe's largest non-pedestrianised village. You will be able to visit artistic performances, shop at the famous Christmas markets and taste typical local products.
Once again, you will be able to arrive in the historical centre on a little train or on a shuttle bus that will take you up to the highest part of the village; the more adventurous can try their hand at a mule ride, one of the symbols of this village, to the top.
The village is only 33 km away from the capital. Reach Piazza Genocchi to get to the parking area closest to the shuttle and train departures.
The artistic exhibition of the living crib Lazio will take place on the following days and times
on 22 to 24 December 2022 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m,
on 25 December 2022 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m,
on 26 December 2022 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m,
on 29 to 31 December 2022 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m,
on 1 January 2023 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m,
on 4 and 5 January 2023 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m,
6 January 2023 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Living Crib Lazio in Ariccia
Among the Living Cribs Lazio, the one in Ariccia is set up at the Don Bosco Oratory, in the heart of the well-known medieval village of the Castelli Romani. In addition to the birth of Bethlehem, as twilight approaches, the living nativity scene evokes the beauty of the ancient oppidum and the trades of our ancestors such as carpenters, blacksmiths, shoemakers, spinners, polenta makers and many others. These ancient activities of yesteryear are magically revived in the town village. The characters, animals and places form a fascinating fairy-tale picture that will captivate the observer, transporting him to a special and mysterious era.
This year, the Living Crib of Ariccia, will take place at the Don Bosco Oratory in Via degli Olmi on 26 December 2022 and 6 January 2023 from 5.30 p.m. onwards with Free entrance.
Living Cribs Lazio in Civita di Bagnoregio
Nothing is more evocative than the village of Civita di Bagnoregio to experience the magic of Christmas. The small town in Tuscia, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and a candidate to become a UNESCO heritage site, will become an open-air theatre attracting tens of thousands of people every year, thanks to the Living Cribs Lazio.
The medieval setting provides a unique setting and will make the Living Cribs of Lazio even more enthralling and fascinating. Visitors will find themselves projected into a past time within an uncommon landscape. A visit to the Living Cribs Lazio in this place will allow the visitor to observe scenes of daily life at the time of Jesus. Here, one can admire myriad characters, figures and crafts that once characterised the birthplace of Our Lord.
Experiencing all this, immersed in the characteristic landscape of the village, with its alleys and beautiful views, will give the visitor the maximum of emotions. There will be no lack of effects, colours and lights that will make the village appear in a different and unforgettable guise.
The Living Crib of Civita di Bagnoregio will take place in the old town centre on 26 December 2022 and on 1, 6, 7 and 8 January 2023 from 4 pm to 7 pm.
Living Crib in Vetralla
Once again this year, the village of Vetralla, in the heart of the Tuscia Viterbese area, dresses up in the magical atmospheres of Christmas with the Living Cribs of Lazio. The associations in the area in collaboration with the municipality and the Pro Loco give life to this extraordinary historical representation.
Among the winding and evocative streets of the town centre, the scenery of a town completely set in the 19th century is presented. Along the way, you will discover ancient crafts and be enveloped in the flavours of times gone by.
It will take place in the alleys of the village of Vetralla, with entrance from Piazza Umberto I on 18 and 26 December 2022 and 6 January 2023.
Living Crib in Corchiano
Among the Living Cribs Lazio, that of Corchiano is one of the most fascinating in Tuscia. Between the melodies of Nicola Piovani and the narration entrusted to the voice of Gigi Proietti, you will find yourself immersed in a magical Christmas atmosphere. You will not witness a mere representation of the Nativity, but a true open-air theatre show.
A grandstand will be set up, allowing you to enjoy a magnificent view of the event and to appreciate its scenography. This edition will be enriched with new and surprising views, crafts and special effects. Moreover, the costumes made in the typical style of the period, combined with the spectacular location of the 'Monumento Naturale delle Forre', will complete the magic of the Living Cribs of Lazio.
Every year, this event sees a warm participation of the inhabitants, combined with that of many other towns in the province.
The Living Crib in Corchiano will take place on 25, 26 and 30 December 2022 and 1, 6, 7 and 8 January 2023 in the spectacular scenery of the Forre Natural Monument. While markets, tastings of typical dishes, shows, Father Christmas's house and much more are located along the village streets.
For each day, admission is from 4 p.m. onwards. The infopoint and ticket office are located in Piazza IV Novembre.
The Town Becomes a Living Crib: an unrepeatable suggestion, a magic of other times
Castro dei Volsci is dressed in the magic of Christmas thanks to 'Il Paese Diventa Presepe' (The Town Becomes a Nativity Scene).
The village will come alive with lights, colours and scents of times gone by, immersing you in an exciting and unmissable scenario. Of the many Living Cribs Lazio, the one in Castro dei Volsci was created in 1995 on the initiative of the councillor for culture and some young people in the village. Already from the first edition, the event was a great success, as in the following years, making it one of the most important and well-known in the province.
There will be more than one hundred figurants animating some forty scenes that will bring back to life glimpses of the daily life of a peasant community typical of the early 19th century. Within the natural setting of Via Civita alleys, arches, cellars, stables and disused premises will come back to life, and the Roman lights and torches will make them even more evocative.
Along the characteristic route, you can delight your palate with a taste of traditional fritters, sausages, chestnuts and fried pizzas, accompanied by good local wine.
The event has now become the most eagerly awaited event. Visiting the living crib in Castro dei Volsci makes Christmas more magical and is an excellent opportunity to admire the medieval town, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
The Town becomes a Nativity scene will be on 26 December from 15:00 to 20:00, and at 15:00 the Second '500' Crib Rally.
Living Crib in the Old Town: on 1 January from 15:00 to 20:00.
The Living Crib: 'And They All Came to Adore Him' will be on 6 January from 12:00 to 20:00 and at 18:00 there will be the Arrival of the Three Kings.
You will be able to admire the events in the town's historical centre and admission is free.
Living Cribs Lazio in Montefiascone
The Living Crib in Montefiascone will be set in the suggestive historical centre, a well-known tourist destination in the Tuscia Viterbese region, near Lake Bolsena.
Thanks to the initiative of the Associazione Amici del Colle (Association Friends of the Hill) with the collaboration of the theatre company 'I Burloni' and under the patronage of the municipality and the region, one of the most eagerly awaited and enthralling representations of the Nativity will come to life.
The arrival of Mary and Joseph in the town's main square will mark the start of the event. Instead, all the other figures will wind their way along the surrounding streets of the village, to re-enact the mystery of the Nativity. As many as 150 characters will participate in period costumes to represent the typical trades of times gone by. You will be immersed in the magical and evocative Christmas atmosphere that will take you all the way to the Grotto of the Nativity.
You will also be able to taste typical local products along the way, as well as an excellent opportunity to discover the ancient medieval town and its gastronomic delights.
The Living Crib will take place along the streets of the old town centre with the entrance from Via Bandita to Via Trento from 5 p.m. on 26 December 2022, 1 and 6 January 2023.
Living Crib in Tarquinia
One of the most beautiful and visited historical centres in the Tuscia Viterbese area will be the ideal location for the Living Cribs of Lazio. Namely, the medieval and Etruscan setting of the village of Tarquinia, near the Church of Santa Maria in Castello.
Classic nativity figures will alternate with fakirs, snakes, fire games, dances with swords, and much more. Hundreds of volunteers have been working for more than three months to set up and organise the scenery, worthy of a theatrical performance. All this will make your journey truly unique and unforgettable. As already mentioned, there will also be shows and entertainment to delight even the youngest visitors.
The Living Crib will take place in the historical centre of Tarquinia in the San Martino district from 4.30 p.m. on 26 December 2022, 2 and 6 January 2023.
The most beautiful Living Cribs in Lazio
- Living Cribs Lazio: some of the most beautiful to see and visit
- Living Cribs Lazio: the one in Greccio is the first Nativity representation in the World
- Living Cribs Lazio: the Christmas event in Europe's largest pedestrian precinct
- Living Crib Lazio in Ariccia
- Living Cribs Lazio in Civita di Bagnoregio
- Living Crib in Vetralla
- Living Crib in Corchiano
- The town becomes a Living Crib: an unrepeatable suggestion, a magic of other times
- Living Cribs Lazio in Montefiascone
- Living Crib in Tarquinia
