Video: Greccio, in the footsteps of St Francis

With Christmas nearly here, what could be better than a visit to Greccio, known as the Franciscan Bethlehem, where St Francis created the very first living nativity scene,  in 1223. The nativity scene, or “presepe” soon became an Italian Christmas tradition, and only in recent years have Christmas trees been added to peoples homes. Living nativity scenes are also a Christmas feature in many Italian towns and villages to this day, including in Greccio itself.
 
The monastery is very atmospheric, set among thick forest and clinging to a cliff face overlooking the Rieti valley. It’s a beautiful place to visit any time of year, the monastery itself is fascinating and there is a year round exhibition of nativity scenes, but at Christmas it takes on extra significance.
 
Every year Greccio hosts a Christmas market and historical reconstructions of the first living nativity scene.

Greccio Christmas Market and Greccio living Nativity 2015

05.12- 06.12 – 07.12 – 08.12.2015
12.12 – 13.12.2015
19.12 – 20.12.2015
24.12 – 25.12 – 26.12 – 27.12.2015
01.01 – 02.01 – 03.01 – 04.01 – 05.01 – 06.01.2016
Centro Storico – GRECCIO (RI)
from 10.00 to 19.00

Thanks to Viaggio in Sabina for the video.

Monastery of Greccio

Villa degli Armeni – villa rental near Rome