Not everyone knows that the first nativity scene in the world was created by Saint Francis of Assisi in the small village of Greccio (Rieti) in 1223. This year Greccio celebrates the 800th anniversary of that wonderful night.

Every year in Greccio, that fateful night when Jesus was born is commemorated. In recent years, the re-enactment with live actors and animals takes place not only on the night of the 24th but for a series of nights so that an increasingly larger audience can participate in this truly magical event.

The dates of the 2023/24 edition are:

8 December – 5.45 pm
24 December – 10.30 pm
26 December – 5.45 pm
28 December – 5.45 pm
30 December – 5.45 pm
1 January – 5.45 pm
January 5th – 5.45pm
January 6th – 5.45pm
January 7th – 5.45pm

The whole village of Greccio becomes a small Bethlehem with a Christmas atmosphere that can be felt in every corner of the village.

Christmas markets will be present from November 26th to January 7th.

Find out more about the village of Greccio in this article.