If you are looking to travel to Europe this holiday season, Greccio in Italy is the place to visit during Christmas.
Nestled in the picturesque Rieti province, approximately 80km north of Rome, the medieval village of Greccio, Italy boasts rustic stone houses perched on a hillside, offering stunning views of the valley below. While this Italian gem is home to a mere 1,500 inhabitants for most of the year, it transforms into a bustling pilgrimage site during December, attracting over 100,000 visitors from around the globe. Greccio’s significance lies in its association with St Francis of Assisi, a beloved Catholic friar renowned for his connection with nature and the embodiment of voluntary poverty.
St. Francis and the First Nativity Scene
Greccio’s roots trace back to the Middle Ages when Greek refugees founded the village for its defensible location and natural tranquility. St. Francis, drawn to Greccio’s woodland surroundings, established his Sanctuary – a magnificent structure partly carved into the mountainside, 1.5km from the village center. In 1223, inspired by his pilgrimage to Bethlehem, St. Francis organized a midnight mass in Greccio, featuring a re-enactment of the Nativity scene. Villagers played the roles of Mary and Joseph, with a rag doll representing baby Jesus, and live animals completing the scene. This groundbreaking event marked the world’s first Nativity scene and became an enduring tradition, spreading globally through missionaries and pilgrims.
Greccio: The Franciscan Bethlehem
Recognized as the “Franciscan Bethlehem,” Greccio celebrates its distinction as the birthplace of the Nativity scene. Today, visitors to the Sanctuary can explore the Chapel of Nativity Scene, housing a partially restored ancient mural marking the spot where St. Francis held the inaugural mass. The village also hosts the International Nativity Museum in the Church of Santa Maria, showcasing Nativity scenes created by various Christian orders worldwide.
Annabella Colandrea, a local resident, expresses a deep connection to the Nativity scene’s origin story, describing her visits to the Sanctuary and museum as a nostalgic journey that evokes the wonder of childhood. The emotional impact remains constant, making her feel like a child once again.
Modern Artisans and the Nativity Scene of Italy
Local artists, inspired by St. Francis’s legacy, continue to honour the tradition by crafting small Nativity scene sculptures scattered throughout Greccio. Many natives of Greccio, recalls childhood fascination with the Nativity scene and how it shaped his artistic journey.
Christmas in Greccio: An 800th Anniversary Celebration
As Greccio approaches the 800th anniversary of the first Nativity scene, preparations are underway for an extraordinary Christmas display. The village anticipates a surge in pilgrims, eager to witness the live re-enactment of the Nativity scene, a testament to the enduring legacy St. Francis has left on Greccio and the world.
Greccio, often overlooked among Italy’s treasures, emerges as a cultural and spiritual haven, preserving the legacy of St. Francis and the timeless tradition of the Nativity scene. Its rustic charm, intertwined with a rich history, welcomes pilgrims and tourists seeking a genuine connection to the Christmas story. As the 800th anniversary approaches, Greccio stands ready to share its enchanting allure with the world, inviting all to experience the magic of Christmas in the place where the Nativity scene was born.