Christmas Living Nativity Scenes in Sicily 2023
Living nativity scenes in Sicily are a tradition that has been handed down for centuries and which sees many villages on the island perform spectacular historical reenactments of the Holy Nativity, recreating the magical atmosphere of ancient Bethlehem.
The conception of the first living nativity scene in history, which took place in 1223 in the village of Greccio, near Rieti, dates back to St. Francis of Assisi. Since then, living nativity scenes have quickly spread to the rest of the country and abroad.
The tradition of the nativity scene in Sicily spread quickly thanks to the action of the Jesuits.
Living nativity scenes in Sicily are often accompanied by other events such as artisan nativity scenes, Christmas markets and Santa Claus villages for the little ones.
The Sicilian living nativity scenes also become a great opportunity to visit the oldest and most evocative places, streets and squares of a village, to discover ancient traditions and now lost crafts, to taste the traditional dishes of the place and to listen to traditional folk songs accompanied from the "ciarameddari", the Sicilian bagpipers.
What are the most beautiful living nativity scenes in Sicily?
Here are the most beautiful living nativity scenes in Sicily, places absolutely to visit during a Christmas holiday in Sicily.
The living nativity scene of Giarratana, in the Ragusa area, set in the "U Cuozzu" district, is the first and to date only Italian nativity scene to have been recognized of "International Interest" and has been repeatedly awarded as Best Living Nativity in Sicily and best living nativity scene of Italy. Extremely impressive is the path lit only by torches that connects the area at the foot of the Castello dei Settimo, where real living paintings are recreated in which the trades, uses and customs of Sicily of the past are relived, and the area of the Castle where the most sacred living picture is set up, that of the Nativity.
The living nativity scene of Custonaci, in the Trapani area, is considered the largest event for the enhancement of crafts and Sicilian folk traditions. In 2006 it became part of the Intangible Assets of the Sicilian Region. A peculiar feature of this nativity scene is that the entire local community joins real local artisans and artists and neighboring villages, to stage a unique show, which faithfully reproduces the execution of ancient crafts. The evocative location of the Mangiapane Grotto in Borgo Scurati also gives the living nativity scene of Custonaci a magical atmosphere and a unique charm.
The Living Nativity Scene of Cava d’Ispica, in the Ragusa area, is one of the most fascinating living nativity scenes in Italy and is the most visited in Sicily. To make this living nativity scene unique are the ancient caves, which are transformed into workshops of artisans, and the evocative panorama of Cava Ispica and Parco Forza. On the occasion of the nativity scene, ancient craft traditions of the Sicilian south-east are intertwined with the biblical events of the Santissima Nativity.
The living nativity scene of Montalbano Elicona, in the Messina area, awarded as the best living nativity scene in Sicily, it is considered one of the most beautiful living nativity scenes on the island. The nativity scene is much appreciated for its suggestive nature setting: alleys lit by torches and uninhabited houses in the Serro district are the backdrop for the many living pictures that animate the nativity scene. The tasty tastings of fresh ricotta, cheeses, provola and other productions typical of the place offered in the ancient shops and markets and the smells that spread through the streets of the village add further charm to this striking living nativity scene.
The Living Nativity of Sutera, in central Sicily, is one of the most beautiful and visited nativity scenes in Sicily.
The importance and quality of the event is such that it deserved inclusion in the Register of Intangible Heritage of the Sicily Region.
Unlike most of the cribs in Sicily that begin on the day of Santo Stefano,
the living nativity scene of Sutera begins on the night of December 24th with a great mystical event that sees Joseph and Mary
knock on each of the 40 stations set up for the nativity scene, looking for a refuge for the approach of the Holy Night.
The event is enriched by the many and rich tastings of typical local dishes and products.
Caltabellotta City Nativity is an event that every year at Christmas makes the village of Caltabellotta, in the Agrigento area, the natural setting of the representation of the mystery of the Nativity. The living nativity scene of Caltabellotta is one of the most awaited events in the whole territory and attracts every year thousands of visitors. On the occasion of the living nativity scene, the entire village of Caltabellotta is immersed in an atmosphere full of charm, with lights, sounds, music and tastings of typical products.
The living nativity scene of Gangi, a village nestled in the Madonie park, is one of the most evocative living nativity scenes in Sicily and Italy. The peculiarity of the living nativity scene of Gangi "From Nazareth to Bethlehem" is the presence of a guide in period dress who accompanies visitor on a fascinating journey back in time, from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The visit will be accompanied by background music and a voiceover.
The living nativity scene of Cavagrande del Cassibile, set up in Avola Antica, in the Syracuse area, is an event that attracts every year, in the heart of the Cassibile Nature Reserve, thousands of visitors. Enjoying the suggestive location, visitors can interact with the animals and characters present, and take part in tastings of typical food and wine products of the area.
The Living Nativity of Castanea delle Furie is considered one of the most beautiful living nativity scenes in Sicily and is characterized by an intense religiosity popular. It is built within a 4000 m2 park where real scenes from 2000 years ago Bethlhemme are masterfully recreated: the market, the neighborhood of the Romans, Herod's Palace, and of course the grotto of the Holy Nativity.
The living nativity scene in Agira, in central Sicily, called "The most original nativity scene in Italy", is a spectacular event that on Christmas Eve, since 1989, it has animated the castle, a medieval stronghold symbol of the village. Unlike the other living nativity scenes in Sicily, that of Agira takes place only on Christmas night during which the arrival of Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem will be staged for the Census, the research of accommodation for the evocative streets of the historic center and the scene of the Holy Nativity.
The Palazzolo Acreide nativity scene, in the Syracuse area, considered one of the most beautiful nativity scenes in Sicily, takes place in the ancient Jewish quarter and in that of Castelvecchio, where there are the ruins of an ancient medieval castle. Very impressive is the beautiful natural cave, at slopes of a rocky ridge overlooking the Anapo valley, where the Holy Family finds shelter. The living nativity scene of Palazzolo Acreide is particularly suitable for families with children given the presence of numerous animals of many different species.
The Living Nativity Scene of Balata di Baida, in the Trapani area, is set in a traditional beam surrounded by prickly pears, sumacs, olive trees and plants endemic. One of the features that make the living nativity scene of Balata di Baida one of the most beautiful and characteristic of all Sicily is the incredible involvement of the visitor, who will have to step into the shoes of a traveler of that time, collaborate and become an accomplice of a a journey that will lead him to discover the everyday world of the Sicilian peasant people. The crib is also particularly suitable for families with children given the presence of numerous animals.
Christmas in Caltagirone, in central Sicily, has always been a strong attraction for many tourists who come to the city of ceramics to admire the skill and skill of Calatini Ceramisti artisans famous in the world in the creation of artistic nativity scenes. Alongside the exhibitions of exceptional artistic nativity scenes, the visitor can take part in the evocative living nativity scene of Caltagirone which takes place in the splendid scenery of the carruggi, that is the alleys, stairways and alleys of the neighborhoods dating back to the era of Genoese domination, located near the splendid staircase of Santa Maria del Monte.