The magic of Nativity scenes in Bologna

In Bologna, the art of nativity scenes is ancient and deeply-rooted, dating back to the thirteenth century; the sculptures, usually made of wood, terracotta and papier-mâché, are accurate and include clothing, unlike other traditions. In this magical period, statuettes, animals and scale reproductions of typical Bolognese activities come to life and contribute to livening up the most varied craft constructions.

Discover where to find the most fascinating nativity scenes in and around Bologna

Bologna city

Starting from the historical centre, Friday 13 December at 6 p.m. opens the Nativity Scene. From Apocalypse to Hope by Luigi Enzo Mattei and Elisabetta Bertozzi will be set up in Palazzo d'Accursio courtyard, open until 12 January 2025. Then, il will reach the Basilica of San Petronio with the life-size nativity scene by Luigi Enzo Mattei, the 77th sculptor of the Basilica since its foundation. Dense with meaning, the sculpture addresses the pilgrims of the Jubilee 2025 as a symbol of spiritual rebirth. Also worth admiring, inside the Basilica of San Petronio, is the nativity scene by Donato Mazzotta. Arranged between the door-knockers, it shows the Holy Family in the centre with St Joseph, the Madonna and the Baby Jesus, and at the sides two angels witnessing the birth of the son of God.

We continue to the Basilica of Santo Stefano where the Adoration of the Magi, the oldest nativity scene in the world and the largest in Italy, is preserved, and continue to the Adoration of the Magi and the Shepherds in the Church of San Procolo. We reach the Basilica of San Francesco, in the rear cloister, We reach the Basilica of St. Francis, in the rear cloister, where a large, motorised nativity scene is being set up, whose inauguration is scheduled to take place a few days before Christmas Eve (date to be defined) and open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. 

Visitors to the monumental loggia of the Church of San Giovanni in Monte will be able to visit the 30th Rassegna del Presepio, set up in Via Santo Stefano no. 27 from 7 December 2024 to 6 January 2025 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. While in Santo Stefano, don't miss Ivan Dimitrov's Nativity 2024 within the ‘Possati’ Museum Room of the Baraccano Complex from 8 December 2024 to 6 January 2025.

As is the annual tradition, in the run-up to Christmas, the Musei Civici d'Arte Antica, in collaboration with the Centro Studi per la Cultura Popolare, are promoting a nativity scene-themed exhibition at the Davia Bargellini Museum with free admission. This year, from 7 December 2024 to 19 January 2025, the exhibition will be presenting a Sicilian nativity scene, accessible on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fridays: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 10 am - 6.30 pm.

The Basilica of San Domenico will be housing the cribs by Alfonso Lombardi and Bartolomeo Cesi in the Main Chapel. The monochrome terracotta of Thea Farinelli's Crib of the Mystical Maternity (on display all year round, 8.30 a.m. - 12.00 noon and 3.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m.) is exhibited in the Corpus Domini Sanctuary Church. A nativity scene by Cesarino Vincenzi can be admired in Via Zamboni, in the Church of San Giacomo Maggiore, while a beautiful wooden crib is set up in the Church of Santa Maria della Pioggia, home to several works by Ludovico Carracci. 

Reconfirmed as every year is the special appointment with the Nativity scene at Via Azzurra 10 near via Massarenti. Set up in the courtyard of a private home and only visible from the outside, the nativity scene is lit from 30 November to 6 January 2025 from 5.30pm to 11pm, when the comet starts shining. Also, don't miss the Crib in Via Parisio 50: the work of a passionate lady who opens the doors of her private courtyard to welcome the curious and visitors among water games, statuettes, trains and Christmas trees every day, from 1 December, h 11-13, 16-18 until 31 January 2025. 

News from this year: the living nativity procession starts on 6 January!

Around Bologna

In Baricella, Mr. Mirko Grimandi's passion has taken shape in a fascinating 8x3-metre nativity scene that invites peace, reflection and the rediscovery of old traditions, with not a few references to the land of Bologna. It can be visited at the Oratory of the B.V. Maria Assunta in Cornionolo, in San Gabriele di Baricella, from 4 December to 9 February, h 6-22. Remaining in the Bolognese plain, in San Giovanni in Persiceto, you can visit the crib at the choir of the Church of the Beata Vergine della Cintura from 8 December 2024 to 6 January 2025.

Also this year, from 8 December to 6 January, it is possible to admire the wooden nativity scene in Borgo La Scola, in the Bolognese Apennines, created by sculptors Marchi and Bressan. Along the streets of the village, wooden statues will be arranged, leading visitors to admire the Nativity set at the foot of the large centuries-old cypress tree in the village.

Along the Emilian Apennines, do not miss the Living Crib in Pietracolora on 24 December from 7.30 p.m. with a repeat on 5 January 2025 from 6 p.m.

In Borgo Tossignano, in the Imola area, the traditional exhibition "Borgo di Presepi" is inaugurated on 8 December. More than one hundred cribs animate the village and its hamlets throughout the Christmas period.

For lovers of living nativity scenes, a nativity scene will be recreated in Pianoro on 14 December.

In Zola Predosa, on the other hand, the exhibition "I Presepi del Voltone" will be inaugurated on 6 December. For the entire Christmas period, Vicolo Marchi will host the cribs created by local artists.