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.
Between 8th and 24th December, all paid parking areas (blue lines) managed by Azimut on behalf of the Municipality are free of charge from 4.30 pm, except from the one in Piazza Baracca, free of charge from 6.30 pm. This applies to working days – on public holidays parking areas are free of charge all day long.
NATIVITY SCENES IN THE CITY
• Four nativity scenes in the windows
Tourist Information Office, Palazzo della Provincia – Piazza Caduti della Libertà
When: 8th December – 14th January 2024
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 the mountains realised inside 14″ vintage TV
• Historical Eastern nativity scene
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore – Via Galla Placidia
When: 8th December – 12th January 2024
Opening times: 8.30 am – 6 pm (every day)
Author: parish group guided by Roberto Sangiorni.
For more information: Don Rosino Gabbiadini +39 338 7296514
• Cristo Luce del Mondo!
Square of the Neonian Baptistery – Piazza Duomo 1
When: 11th December – 7th January 2024
Opening times: always visible. We suggest you visit it at night.
Author: Gianluca Piccolo
For more information: promozione@ravennamosaici.it
• 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 group of the cathedral
For more information: +39 0544 541668 / info@ravennamosaici.it
• Nativity scenes from the world: Augusto Poverini’s collection
Basilica di San Giovanni Evangelista – Viale Farini
When: 18th December – 28th January 2024
Opening times: 10.30 am – 4.30 pm (from Tuesday to Sunday)
For more information: promozione@ravennamosaici.it
• Il verbo incarnato
Nativity scene of Istituto del Verbo Incarnato
Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital – Via Missiroli, 10
When: 8th December – 6th January 2024
Opening times: 8 am – 7 pm (every day)
Author: Ciro Aurilia
• XXIX Edizione Fede Arte e Tradizione
The mistery of incarnation
Chiesa Arcipretale San Biagio – Via Chiesa, 7
Inauguration: 10th December, after the 10-am Mass
When: 10th December – 3rd February 2024
Opening times: 9 am – 12 pm / 4 pm – 7 pm (every day)
Author: Ciro Aurilia
For more information: ciro.aurilia1@gmail.com
• Il presepe della carità
Opera di S. Teresa del Bambino Gesù – entrance from Via A. De Gasperi, 67
Inauguration: 19th December, 11.30 am
When: 19th December – 12th January 2024
Opening times: 8.30 am – 12.30 pm / 3.30 pm – 5.30 pm (every day)
Per informazioni: Luciano di Buò +39 349 8906910
• Nativity scene in the Church of San Francesco
In memory of the first nativity scene in Greccio
Basilica of San Francesco – Piazza San Francesco
When: 24th December – 2nd February 2024
Opening times: 7 am – 6.30 (during the opening hours of the Basilica)
Authors: Davide Santandrea, Gruppo MASCI di San Francesco
A nativity scene on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the first nativity scene in Greccio by Saint Francis. A suggestive and meditative mechanical nativity scene.
For more information: sanfrancesco.ra@alice.it / Padre Ivo +39 320 9750842
• E venne ad abitare in mezzo a noi!
Basilica di Sant’Agata Maggiore – Via G. Mazzini, 46
When: 8th December – 31st January 2024
Opening times: 9 am – 1 pm (Fridays and Saturdays) / 9 am – 5 pm (Sundays)
For more information: +39 0544 541668 / info@ravennamosaici.it
• Neapolitan nativity scene in Ravenna
A work of art by Ciro Aurilia
Mercato Coperto – Piazza A. Costa, 3
Inauguration: 6th December, 6 pm
When: 7th December – 7th January 2024
Opening times: 10 am – 10.30 pm
Author: Ciro Aurilia
A work representing the origin of a centuries-old tradition through the history that we still live in the traditional Neapolitan nativity scenes.
For more information: ciro.aurilia1@gmail.com
NATIVITY SCENES OUTSIDE THE HISTORICAL CENTRE
• Living Nativity scene in Classe
Entrance to Bethlehem
Casa dei Ragazzi – Via Romea Sud 224, Classe
Opening times: 24th December from 7 pm to 11.30 pm / 6th January from 3 pm to 6 pm
The living nativity scene of Classe features the reconstruction of the Christmas night, where characters are interpreted by volunteers of Classe.
Curated by Commissione del Presepio Vivente together with Parroco Don Mauro Marzocchi.
For more information: +39 320 2471134
• Presepe del Mare
Project “La via dei Presepi del Mare”
Church of San Lorenzo – Piazza Marradi 4, Casalborsetti
When: 8th December – 15th February 2024
Opening times: 8.30 am – 6 pm (every day)
Author: Rino Belletti
Nativity scene realised with seashells, organised by the Parish of San Lorenzo in collaboration with the Pro Loco of Casalborsetti.
For more information: 320 2471134
• Presepe Valli Pineta
Project “La via dei Presepi del Mare”
Public Gardens – Viale Italia, Marina Romea
When: 8th December – 6th January 2024
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
Project “La via dei Presepi del Mare”
Public Gardens – Via Volano, Porto Corsini
When: 8th December – 8th January 2024
Opening times: always visible
Nativity scene realised by the Pro Loco of Porto Corsini, in collaboration with students of Liceo Artistico Nervi-Severini of Ravenna and volunteer parents
For more information: 338 4130805
• Il paese dei presepi
Nativity scene realised with metal
Piazza Dora Markus – Marina di Ravenna
When: 3rd December – 9th January 2024
Opening times: always visible, lights at night
Authors: C.S.R.C. Portuali, Compagnia Portuale in collaboration with the Port Authority
Author: Enrico Bartolozzi (at Mariport)
Nativity scene realised with metal sheets – 7 figures representing the nativity (the tallest of which is 3 metres high)
For more information: 338 9543835 / spadarogigi@gmail.com
• Mountain-style nativity scene
Parish church of S. Giuseppe – Via Tito Speri 20, Marina di Ravenna
When: 8th December – 15th January 2024
Opening times: 9 am – 5.30 (working days); 9 am – 10.30 am / 11.30 am – 5.30 pm (public holidays)
Polystyrene nativity scene, with mechanised characters, light changes and music.
For more information: 0544 530106
• Illuminated boat with wooden nativity scene
Piazza Dora Markus – Marina di Ravenna
When: 8th December – 7th January
Author: Enrico Menegatti
For more information: www.marinadiravenna.org
• Nativity scene of Lido Adriano
Church of San Massimiliano Kolbe – Viale Alessandro Manzoni, 381 Lido Adriano
When: 12th December – 21st January 2024
Opening times: 11 am – 12 pm / 4 pm – 6 pm (from Monday to Friday); on public holidays, 30 minutes before the Mass.
Author: collaboration between the “Amare Lido Adriano” association and the parish church of Lido Adriano.
The nativity scene (2 x 1.50 mt) features traditional ceramic statues and mechanised moving parts.
For more information: 338 4965957 / amarelidoadriano@gmail.com
• Palestinian nativity scene with life-size statues
Park in front of Chiesa Priorale di S. Adalberto – Piazza Garibaldi 12, Sant’Alberto
When: 8th December – 14th January 2024
Opening hours: always visible, lightened up until 12 am
Authors: Gruppo Parrocchiale di Sant’Alberto
For more information: +39 342 8028163
