Marcellano, with the living Nativity scene, becomes the Bethlehem of Umbria

The Living Nativity Scene of Marcellano will be held on December 26 and 28, 2025, and then on January 1, 4, and 6, 2026.

It likes to call itself the Bethlehem of Umbria. Marcellano, located between the municipalities of Gualdo Cattaneo and Giano dell’Umbria, has been bringing the birth of Christ to life for visitors for forty years, according to the Gospel accounts.
On December 26 and 28, 2025, and again on January 1, 4, and 6, 2026, the village’s characteristic streets and picturesque squares, illuminated by torches and torches, will be transformed—starting at 5:45 p.m.—into a living nativity scene. Around a hundred figures will recount traditional scenes and set up their workshops (blacksmith, carpenter, baker, weaver, basket maker, greengrocer, shepherds, priests, and tax collectors), reenacting the long-awaited birth of Jesus, which will take place in a reconstructed stable outside the city walls.

The nativity scene begins with the Roman centurions guarding the entrance and collecting the toll. Then, with a leap back in time, you stroll through the shops and breathe in the air and frenetic life of Bethlehem, with the baker preparing pizzas, focaccias, and sweets; the weaver with her loom; the potter who creates jugs, plates, and amphorae with clay, water, and a hot oven; the herbalist who, with his herbs, perfumes homes, cures ailments, or flavors the kitchen; and the master of arms, who forges arrows and draws bows. Along the journey, you can stop at the chestnut seller’s inn: here, you can warm your hands and your spirits by munching on freshly cooked chestnuts and drinking wine. You’ll also encounter the olive press and the basket maker who, with simple twigs, creates works of art. The goldsmith, the straw weaver, the blacksmith, the carpenter, and the washerwomen are all present. There’s also the market, the synagogue, and the prisons, all the way to the Grotto of the Nativity where, between an ox and a donkey, Joseph and Mary care for the Savior.

Presepe Vivente di Marcellano. Foto by Marcellano Eventi

Founded in 1984, the Living Nativity Scene of Marcellano has attracted over a million visitors over the years. Its strength lies in its authentic simplicity, the enthusiastic participation of the residents, and a setting seemingly designed specifically for it. Strolling through Marcellano is also an opportunity to discover a village rich in history and spirituality: from the Parish Church of Sant’Andrea, which houses works by Andrea Polinori, to the Romanesque Church of Sant’Angelo di Sconcolo, to the small oratories nestled in the countryside.

For further information: www.presepemarcellano.com