Updated on November 19, 2023
What is a Presepe?
A presepe (plural presepi and sometimes also called a presepio) is an Italian nativity scene.
An Italian presepe often tells the whole story from the angel’s announcement to the shepherds, through the birth of Christ and the arrival of the three wise men.
Unlike typical Christmas scenes featuring just baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assorted shepherds, a few sheep and a donkey or two, presepi can become a very elaborate affair indeed. Some feature entire towns, with artisans baking bread, selling fruit, meat and fish, drinking, or even making pizza!
Fun Fact: In a presepe, the birth of Jesus is often staged in a grotto, or cave, rather than the traditional stable.
The presepe backdrop is traditionally made of wood and then the figures (in terracotta or wax) are added, together with moving mechanical parts and sometimes water features like wells and fountains.
An interesting thing to note about presepi is the sense of perspective. Unlike a doll’s house where the figures are all the same size, an Italian presepe might have a huge sheep and a tiny angel. Why? Because of perspective. The sheep is in the foreground, closer to the viewer, while the angel (or whichever figure it is) is placed in the background and is smaller to give the idea of depth (and time) to the scene.
A presepe can be added to over the years, or even generations…in the same way as we keep a Christmas tree in the attic and buy new ornaments for it, presepi can get new figures and features each year. They can be handed down through the family and some, dating back to the 18th century, are worth large amounts of money.
Good To Know: Much like parents buy Christmas ornaments for children in the US, Italian parents may buy presepe figures for children that they can one day take to their family home.
Presepe Pronunciation
Presepe is pronounced preh-ZEH-peh.
Listen to it here:
History of the Presepe in Italy
The earliest historical records of the nativity scene date back to the 3rd-4th centuries, when Christians gathered in places like catacombs and drew images of Mary with baby Jesus on her lap. They were really simple scenes with symbolic inscriptions, on par with, for example, a drawing of the fish, which symbolized Jesus Christ.
From the 15th century and throughout the Middle Ages, nativity scenes were painted by artists like Botticelli, Giotto, and Piero della Francesca and displayed in churches. As the population couldn’t read, they needed a visual description of the birth of Jesus (and other scenes from his life).
St. Francis of Assisi and the ‘Living’ Presepe
The first presepe in the modern sense of the word is commonly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. In 1220, St. Francis made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to visit Jesus’ birthplace. He was so impressed that he asked the Pope for permission to leave his monastery and stage a nativity play.
On Christmas Day 1223 in the small town of Greccio (near Rieti in central Italy) he set up the first presepe in history in a cave near woods close to the village. Francis brought a manger with straw as well as an ox and a donkey there (apparently no one represented the Virgin Mary, Joseph, or Baby Jesus). Large numbers of local people, who could not read, came to hear Francis tell them the story of Jesus’ birth.
After this, the first presepi, complete with a backdrop and carved figurines, started to make their appearance in churches alongside paintings. The nativity scene became a popular tradition that spread throughout central Italy and the Emilia Romagna region. It then reached the south, and the city of Naples and began to be fashionable in noble homes (in the form of ornaments or miniature chapels).
Although there are presepe traditions from north to south in Italy, the city of Naples is still the most famous for the art of the presepe in the whole country. This art reached its height in the 18th century, but the city still draws visitors from all over the world to see its elaborate creations and figurines.
Presepi Napoletani
Presepi from Naples are world-famous. There is a long-held tradition of artisans who craft nativity scenes. For centuries a nativity scene was a real source of pride for families who competed to have the most lavish one!
Rich families traditionally spared no expense and commissioned trusted sculptors to create impressive works of art (also made of precious materials) and then dedicated entire rooms of their homes to show them off at receptions and private parties.
The tradition is still going strong today. The streets around San Gregorio Armeno in the historic center of Naples are packed shoulder to shoulder with people at Christmas time looking for figures and ornaments to add to their presepi.
As well as baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and the Three Wise Men, you’ll find modern figures like famous soccer players, TV personalities and politicians! Argentinean soccer player Maradona is a perennial favorite in the presepe as he helped the city of Naples win the championship against their bitter rivals Juventus!
What is a Presepe Made of?
The backdrop of a presepe is often wood (and traditionally it could even be made of seashells). Today, thanks to technology, a nativity scene can have many new features (real lights, tiny working pizza ovens, mini streams of flowing water, etc.) and especially new materials.
Although there are still many presepi that are made from traditional materials (terracotta, wood, plaster, and papier-mâché), many of those available in stores are made of plastic, which is less expensive and more durable.
Types of Italian Nativity Scenes
Public Presepi
Presepi, in the form of simple nativity scenes, with just the major characters and a few animals are usually set up in Italy around Christmas in churches or sometimes in public squares. Municipalities in Italy also use some very creative ways to depict the nativity scene, as well as statues and figurines – there are live representations and even digital art and projections onto public buildings.
Live Presepi (Presepe Vivente)
Many places in Italy stage presepi viventi. These are live representations of the nativity scene with local people playing the characters. A few sheep, goats, cows, and a donkey may also be brought in for good measure! Some of these are staged throughout the whole town and local stores are transformed into workshops where people practice ancient crafts (baking, traditional paper making, wood carving or weaving, etc).
One of the most famous of these is in Tuscany. The presepe vivente with the longest tradition is probably Equi Terme, a small village near Massa-Carrara. It has a beautiful route, winding through the village lit by torches and candles to the entrance of the Equi Caves, where Jesus’ birth is represented.
Presepi in Private Homes
Many families set up presepi in their homes for the holidays, and they’re often displayed in an important place in the home where guests can see them and family members can enjoy them.
Where to Find the Best Presepi in Italy (by Region)
Basilicata
- Matera – this city in Basilicata with its famous ‘Sassi’ (stone cave dwellings) is the perfect setting for its presepe vivente.
Campania
- Naples – San Gregorio Armeno is the place to go to see the finest Italian presepe art and craftsmanship. This street and those surrounding it are packed at Christmas time, but the figures and backdrops are on sale throughout the year and it’s a really atmospheric place to visit in any season.
- Naples – the Museo Nazionale di San Martino is home to the Presepe Cuciniello. This spectacular nativity scene has over 800 figures and lighting that simulates dawn, day, dusk, and night.
Emilia-Romagna
- Cesenatico – This seaside town has a unique presepe staged on historic ships moored on the canal with life-sized wooden statues depicting daily life in an old fishing village.
Lazio
- Rome – all Rome’s churches have a nativity scene, but the best are found outside St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Spanish Steps, and in Piazza Navona.
Liguria
- Manarola – this little village high on a hill in the Cinque Terre has the quintessential Christmas event: an illuminated nativity scene. Built by Mario Andreoli, a retired railway worker, it is made of recycled materials and has over 300 life-size figures. It’s so big it has even made its way into the Guinness Book of Records.
Lombardy
- Laveno – this town has an underwater nativity that’s one of the most beautiful in Italy! It is located at a depth of about 3 meters on submerged platforms. Life-size statues and a complex lighting system create an enchanting effect and a magical atmosphere.
Sardinia
- Olmedo – and if sand and ice weren’t enough, this town near Sassari in Sardinia has an even more unusual presepe…one made of bread.
Trentino-Alto Adige (Südtirol)
- Ortisei – the small town in the Val Gardena in the Dolomites is famous for its woodworking, and many of the town’s artisans specialize in presepe.
- Santa Cristina in Val Gardena – this Dolomites town has the world’s largest hand-carved nativity scene.
Tuscany
- Equi Terme – the presepe vivente has a beautiful route, winding through the Tuscan village to the entrance of the Equi Caves, where Jesus’ birth is represented.
Umbria
- Massa Martana – this town near the city of Perugia has a presepe made of ice! In a room kept constantly at a temperature of -18° C, visitors can admire life-size figures carved on huge blocks of ice with artistic lighting effects that make them look even more beautiful.
- Greccio – the town where St. Francis supposedly started the whole tradition has an International Presepe Museum.
Veneto
- Venice (Burano) – this Venetian island, famous for lace-making, has a presepe that emerges from the bottom of the Venice Lagoon.
- Venice (Jesolo) – not only does it host an international sand sculpture festival, it also has a presepe made out of sand, which has been visited by around a million people!
- Verona – the town of Romeo and Juliet holds an International Exhibition of Nativity Scenes every Christmas.
Spending the holidays in Italy? Or just curious about how we celebrate here? Learn more about Italian Christmas:
Where to Spend Christmas in Italy
Christmas in Italy for Kids – Traditions & How to Celebrate
How to Say Merry Christmas in Italian
Traditional Italian Christmas Foods
Traditional Italian Christmas Lunch
Authentic Italian Christmas Eve Dinner
Pandoro vs Panettone
Presepe – The Italian Nativity Scene
Babbo Natale – Italy’s Santa Claus
La Befana – Italy’s Christmas Witch
12 Italian Christmas Traditions We Still Celebrate
Where to Buy a Christmas Tree in Italy
10 Best Places to See Christmas Trees in Italy
Best Christmas Markets in Italy
Christmas in Tuscany
When Presepi are On Display in Italy
Sometimes in the US or other countries nativity scenes go up in early November – not so in Italy. Presepi are usually limited to Christmas time. There are no hard and fast rules about when you get your backdrop and figures out of the box, but there are a few traditional dates.
Traditionally, the nativity scene goes up on December 8th, which is the celebration of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. A less-common tradition involves the 29th of November, the beginning of the Immaculate Conception Novena.
Important: Baby Jesus is not supposed to appear until Christmas Eve (if possible on the stroke of midnight).
Then, the Three Wise Men are placed on January 6th.
After this most people take down their Christmas decorations and put the presepe away until next year, but not many people know that the date on which the nativity scene should traditionally be taken down is February 2nd, or the Feast of Candlemas, which marks the official end of Christmas time!
Presepi and Pastori
The pastori in the nativity scene are the shepherds. Their sheep represent the ‘flock’ of the faithful who are there for the birth of Christ. By extension, they are also all the common people in the nativity scene (fishermen, local people, street vendors, etc.).
One special pastore in the Neapolitan presepe is a shepherd boy called Benino, who is depicted sleeping. He is the most important pastore in the nativity scene because the angels announce the birth of baby Jesus to him in a dream. He is usually placed in a cave or in a part of the scene far away from the grotto or the stable itself.
Another important pastore is Il pastore della meraviglia or the ‘shepherd of wonder.’ He is positioned near the grotto with his arms and mouth wide open because he witnesses the birth of Jesus in amazement. He represents the discovery of the divine and some people think it is Benino himself who has ‘awakened’ after his dream.
Italian Nativity Scene Vocabulary
| ITALIAN | ENGLISH |
| presepe | nativity scene |
| Gesù bambino | baby Jesus |
| Maria | Mary |
| Giuseppe | Joseph |
| magi / re magi | three wise men / three kings / magi |
| mangiatoia | manger |
| stalla | stable |
| grotta | grotto / cave |
| angelo | angel |
| pastori | shepherds |
| pecore | sheep |
| bue | ox |
| asino / asinello | donkey |
| legno | wood |
| terracotta | clay / terracotta |
| presepe vivente | living nativity scene |
Some of the Most Famous Italian Nativity Scenes in Art
- Adoration of the Magi – Gentile da Fabriano (Uffizi Gallery in Florence)
- The Magi Mosaic – (Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna)
- Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence – Caravaggio (stolen from the Oratory of Saint Lawrence in Palermo!)
- The Mystical Nativity – Sandro Botticelli (now in the National Gallery in London)
- The Nativity – Piero della Francesca (now at the National Portrait Gallery in London)
- Adoration of the Shepherds – Giorgione (National Gallery of Art in Washington DC)
- Nativity, Birth of Jesus – Giotto (Scrovegni Chapel in Padua)
Presepe FAQ
Presepi make wonderful souvenirs! Some may be a bit bulky and might need to be shipped, but even a couple of figures or decorations can be a great souvenir and if you like crafts, why not try making your own wooden backdrop at home?
Anything made of traditional terracotta, papier-mâché or wax will be expensive. It depends on the size and complexity of the scene and the figures inside. Plastic figures and backdrops are obviously cheaper.
