The tradition of the NATIVITY SCENES is shrouded in history.
During the Christmas holidays, many churches and religious places in Ravenna host fascinating artistic and symbolic displays related to the origins of Christianity.
Windows and streets of the old town and some seaside towns are embellished both with classical and iconic compositions and contemporary ideas.
The list of the nativity scenes is being updated and may be subjected to changes.
NATIVITY SCENES IN THE CITY
Nativity scenes in the windows
Tourist Information Office, Palazzo della Provincia – Piazza Caduti della Libertà
When: 8th December – 8th January 2023
Opening times: 8.30 am – 6 pm (every day)
Author: Raffaella Soprani
- Traditional popular nativity scene “Il borgo dei pescatori” (lit. the fishing village): realised with vintage statues dating back to the 1960s/70s, inspired by Italian fishing villages
- “Accendi per gioco la Natività” (lit. turn on Nativity for fun): built with LEGO bricks inside 14″ vintage TV
- “Cartolina di un borgo marinaro” (lit. postcard from a fishing village): inspired by the marine life of fishermen in Procida, Italian Capital of Culture 2022, handcrafted with modelling paste and acrylic colours inside a small portable fridge
- “Natività alla TV” (lit. Nativity on TV): traditional nativity scene of teh mountains realised inside 14″ vintage TVs
Cristo Luce del mondo! (lit. Christ, the Light of the World!)
Installation
Square of the Neonian Baptistery – piazza Duomo, 1
When: 8th December – 8th January 2023
Opening times: always visible, we recommend to visit it at night
Author: Gianluca Piccolo
“Il Verbo Incarnato” (lit. The enchanted Word of God)
“Santa Maria delle Croci” hospital – Via Missiroli, 10
When: 8th December – 6th January 2023
Opening times: 8 am – 7 pm (every day). The nativity scene is always visible in the church of the hospital.
Author: Ciro Aurilia
For more information: 0544 501689 / ciro_aurilia@tim.it
Historical Eastern nativity scene
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore – Via Galla Placidia
When: 8th December – 12th January 2023
Opening times: 8.30 am – 6 pm (every day)
Author: parish group guided by Roberto Sangiorni.
For more information: Don Rosino Gabbiadini 338 7296514
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Artistic nativity scene with mechanical statues
Cathedral of Ravenna – Piazza Duomo
Inauguration: 8th December after the Mass of 11 am
When: 8th December – 31st January 2023
Opening times: 7.30 am – 12 pm / 2.30 pm – 5 pm (weekdays); 7.30 am – 12 pm / 2.30 pm – 7 pm (Saturdays); 8 am- 12 pm / 2.30 – 7 pm (public holidays)
It is not possible to visit the nativity scene during church services.
Authors: Parish of San Giovanni in Fonte della Cattedrale and Alessio Callegaro
For more information: alessio.callegaro@gmail.com
XXVIII Edition of Fede Arte e Tradizione (lit. Faith, Art and Tradition)
The glory of the Nativity of Jesus
Chiesa San Biagio – Via Chiesa, 7
Inauguration: 11th December after the Mass of 11 am
When: 11th December – 3rd February 2023
Opening times: 9 am – 12 pm / 4 pm – 7 pm (every day)
Renovated with new rural 18th-century-style characters
Author: Circo Aurilia
For more information: 0544 501689 / ciro_aurilia@tim.it
The town of nativity scenes
Nativity scene realised with metal
Darsena area
When: 14th December – 8th January 2023
Opening times: always visible, lights at night
Nativity scene realised with metal sheets: 7 figures representing the nativity (the tallest of which is 3 metres high)
Authors: C.S.R.C. Portuali, Compagnia Portuale in collaboration with the Port Authority
Author: Enrico Bartolozzi (at Mariport)
For more information: 338 9543835 / spadarogigi@gmail.com
18th-century-style Neapolitan Nativity scene – XXVI edition
The Holy Family
Banca Nazionale del Lavoro – Piazza del Popolo, 23
When: 17th December – 31st January 2023
Opening times: 9 am – 12 pm / 2.30 pm – 4 pm (every day except public holidays)
In support of scientific research for Telethon against genetic diseases
For more information: 0544 501689 / ciro_aurilia@tim.it
Nativity scene Church of San Francesco 2022
Peace on earth for people loved by the Lord
Basilica of San Francesco – Piazza San Francesco
When: 24th December – 8th January 2023
Opening times: 7 am – 6.30 pm (during the opening times of the basilica)
The Nativity scene opens behind a Romanesque arch, realised and animated by P. Giovanni Lambertini; all around, the landscape, the river, the Three Kings and shepherds. The sky is dotted with stars and angels, there is the moon and the Christmas star that guided the Kings to Jesus’ birthplace.
Authors: MASCI group of San Francesco and Alessio Callegaro, realised and animated by P. Giovanni Lambertini
For more information: Padre Ivo 320 9750842 / sanfrancesco.ra@alice.it
Praesepium Arte e Musica
Neapolitan nativity scene in Ravenna
Palazzo Polo delle Arti – Piazza Kennedy, 7
When: 10th December – 8th January 2023
Opening times: 3 pm – 6 pm (from Monday to Friday, closed from 24th December to 8th January)
Author: Ciro Aurilia (project and realisation)
Praesepium aims to present a historical period of art and music of the Neapolitan nativity scene.
For more information: www.ciropresepenapoletanoravenna.it / ciroaurilia1@gmail.com
NATIVITY SCENES OUTSIDE THE HISTORICAL CENTRE
Exhibition “I Presepi della Romagna”
Diffused exhibition of nativity scenes in various places of the town – Piangipane (RA)
When: 8th December – 6th January 2023
Author: Pro Loco in collaboration with other associations
For more information: Pro Loco Piangipane 338 3854485
Mountain-style nativity scene
Chiesa Parrocchiale San Giuseppe – Via Tito Speri 20, Marina di Ravenna
When: 8th December – 15th January 2023
Opening times: 9 am – 5.30 pm (every day). On public holidays, the nativity scene is not visible between 10.30 and 11.30 am during religious services.
Made of styrofoam, constantly improved and enriched throughout the years, with mechanised movements of the characters and different lights for day and night and music.
For more information: 0544 530106
Living nativity scene of Classe
Entrance to Bethlehem
Casa dei Ragazzi – Via Romea Sud 224, Classe
When: 24th December, from 7 pm to 11.30 pm; 6th January 2023, from 3 pm to 6 pm
Recreation of the Christmas night, in which the characters are interpreted by volunteers of Classe.
On Christmas Eve, the costume parade will reach the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare for the Holy Mass. On 6th January at 4.30, the Three Kings will arrive on horseback bringing gifts to Jesus and to all the children.
Curated by Commissione del Presepio Vivente along with Parroco Don Mauro Marzocchi
For more information: presepe@parrocchiadiclasse.it
Presepe Valli Pineta (lit. Nativity scene in lagoons and pine forests)
Project “La via dei Presepi del Mare” (lit. the streets of the marine nativity scenes)
Parco Pubblico – Viale Italia, Marina Romea
When: 8th December – 6th January 2023
Opening times: always visible
Nativity scene realised with figures representing the landscape of the lagoons and of the pine forest, organised by the Pro Loco of Marina Romea.
For more information: 338 4130805
Presepe della Sacra Famiglia (lit. Nativity scene of the Holy Family)
Project “La via dei Presepi del Mare” (lit. the streets of the marine nativity scenes)
Parco Pubblico – Via Volano, Porto Corsini
When: 8th December – 8th January 2023
Opening times: always visible
Nativity scene realised thanks to the collaboration with parent volunteers, organised by the Pro Loco of Porto Corsini.
For more information: 338 4130805
Presepe del Mare (lit. Nativity scene of the sea)
Project “La via dei Presepi del Mare” (lit. the streets of the marine nativity scenes)
Church of San Lorenzo – Piazza Marradi, 4 Casalborsetti
When: 8th December – 15th February 2023
Opening times: 8.30 am – 6 pm (every day)
Nativity scene realised with seashells by Belletti Rino. Organised by teh Parish of San Lorenzo in collaboration with the Pro Loco of Casalborsetti.
For more information: 320 2471134
Nativity scene of Lido Adriano
Church of San Massimiliano Kolbe – Viale Alessandro Manzoni, 381 Lido Adriano
When: 13th December – 25th January 2023 (it may be extended)
Opening times: 11 am – 12 pm / 4 pm – 6 pm (from Monday to Friday); on public holidays, 30 minutes before the Mass.
The nativity scene (2 x 1.50 mt) features traditional ceramic statues and mechanised moving parts.
Author: collaboration between the “Amare Lido Adriano” association and the parish church of Lido Adriano.
For more information: 338 4965957 / amarelidoadriano@gmail.com
Nativity scene with life-size statues in Palestinian style
Park in front of the Church di Sant’Adalberto – Piazza Garibaldi, 12 Sant’Alberto
When: 19th December – 15th January 2023
Opening times: always visible and illuminated until midnight
Author: Parish Group of Sant’Adalberto
For more information: 342 8028163
