Hidden Living Nativity Scenes of Abruzzo: 20 *Borghi* You Don't Know

Beyond the five great living nativity scenes of Abruzzo — Rivisondoli, Pacentro, Cerqueto di Fano Adriano, Chieti, and the Underwater Nativity of Villalago — the region holds over 20 smaller living nativity scenes in medieval borghi, sanctuaries, and mountain hamlets. These are the nativity scenes that never make it into the tourist guides: fewer participants, shorter duration, a family atmosphere — and for exactly that reason, they offer a more authentic experience of Abruzzo's nativity tradition. From Castellalto (Gran Sasso + Adriatic views) to Casalbordino (Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli), from Bolognano to Pietracamela, from Manoppello Scalo and the Volto Santo, to the Living Nativity of Bugnara in one of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages: a map of Abruzzo's hidden living nativity scenes. It also includes exhibitions of artistic nativity scenes (Atessa, Civitella Alfedena papier-mâché, Castelli ceramics).

For the famous large nativity scenes (Rivisondoli, Pacentro, Cerqueto, Chieti, Villalago), see: Living Nativity Scenes in Abruzzo: the 5 great ones and the tradition.

Why visit the smaller nativity scenes

Smaller living nativity scenes have qualities the big ones simply can't offer:

• No crowds: you can just show up — no 60-minute queues to get in

• Manageable duration: 30–60 minutes instead of the 2–3 hours of Rivisondoli and Chieti

• Family atmosphere: the whole village takes part, from children to the elderly

• Young children: the shorter duration makes them far more suitable for little ones

• Originality: unique settings (sanctuaries, seafronts, alleyways, valleys)

• Cost: all free of charge

• Combinable: you can visit 2–3 in a single weekend

Living nativity scenes in the province of Teramo

Castellalto (Gran Sasso + Adriatic views)

A small borgo between the valleys of the Tordino and Vomano rivers, just a few kilometers from Teramo. A panoramic position unique in Italy:

• Unique feature: from the village you can see the Gran Sasso and the Adriatic Sea at the same time

• Character: a Nativity performance brought to life by the entire village

• Editions: 8th edition in 2023 (one of the more recent nativity scenes, but deeply engaging)

• Atmosphere: open landscape, a sense of infinite space between mountain and sea

• Pair it with: a visit to Teramo (10 km) and the Prati di Tivo ski slopes (40 km) if you're also after some skiing

Pietracamela (beneath the Gran Sasso)

A CAI-recognized mountaineering borgo beneath the peaks of the Gran Sasso, along the road to Prati di Tivo:

• Altitude: 1,005 m

• Setting: the nativity unfolds through the narrow alleyways of the medieval village, dominated by the Gran Sasso's rock faces

• Character: a tradition rooted in mountaineering (Pietracamela has been the "gateway to the Gran Sasso" since the 1800s), with participants dressed as shepherds and alpinists

• Pair it with: a skiing or snowshoeing weekend at Prati di Tivo (3 km)

Giulianova (Sanctuary of the Madonna dello Splendore)

On the Adriatic coast of Teramo, a living nativity scene connected to the town's Marian sanctuary:

• Venue: the piazza of the Sanctuary of the Madonna dello Splendore

• Atmosphere: a seafront nativity — a rare example of a "maritime" living nativity scene in Abruzzo

• Pair it with: Costa dei Trabocchi (heading south), the Cathedral of Atri (20 km)

Living nativity scenes in the province of Pescara

Bolognano (December 29)

A medieval borgo in the Val Pescara, at the foot of the Majella, also known for the contemporary art foundation Beuys:

• Date: December 29 (traditionally)

• Duration: 1–2 hours

• Setting: the medieval alleyways of the historic center

• Pair it with: Caramanico borgo (20 km), the Majella National Park

Manoppello Scalo (Volto Santo)

A hamlet of Manoppello, home to the celebrated Sanctuary of the Volto Santo:

• Character: a living nativity tied to the tradition of the Volto Santo di Manoppello (the image of Christ's face that Pope Benedict XVI called "the face of the Face")

• Venue: the piazza of the Sanctuary and surrounding area

• Tradition: a small parish nativity scene, deeply felt by the local community

• Pair it with: a visit to the Sanctuary of the Volto Santo (open daily), San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore (15 km)

Pianella (a borgo nativity)

A medieval borgo between Pescara and Loreto Aprutino:

• Venue: the medieval historic center

• Character: a parish-and-municipal nativity, intimate atmosphere

• Pair it with: Loreto Aprutino (10 km, the extra-virgin olive oil capital)

Living nativity scenes in the province of Chieti

Casalbordino (Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli)

In the Vasto area, a living nativity scene tied to one of Abruzzo's most visited Marian sanctuaries:

• Venue: the piazza of the Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli in Casalbordino

• Dates: December 26 (main evening) + January 7 (repeat)

• Atmosphere: a sanctuary nativity, deeply cherished by the communities of the Vasto area

• Character: costumed participants, live animals, a route that winds around the sanctuary

• Pair it with: Costa dei Trabocchi (10 km), Vasto (20 km)

Vasto (Santa Maria quarter alleyways)

Historic center of Vasto, nativity scene in the alleyways of the Santa Maria district:

• Venue: the historic alleyways of the Santa Maria quarter, historic center

• Character: an urban nativity in medieval alleyways

• Atmosphere: connected to the tradition of the "Befana arriving from the sea" (January 6 event on the seafront of Vasto Marina)

• Pair it with: Costa dei Trabocchi, Punta Penna

San Buono (Vasto area)

A borgo in the inland Vasto countryside:

• Dates: December 26 and January 6 (Epiphany), 5:00–8:00 PM

• Editions: 24th edition in 2024 (a well-established nativity scene)

• Venue: alleyways of the historic center

• Pair it with: Vasto (25 km), Castiglione Messer Marino (historic Carnival, 20 km)

Sant'Eusanio del Sangro (December 26)

A borgo in the Val di Sangro:

• Date: December 26 (St. Stephen's Day)

• Venue: historic center

• Character: a nativity from the Sangro valley, rural atmosphere

• Pair it with: Lanciano (15 km), Punta Aderci Nature Reserve (35 km)

Brecciarola (a hamlet of Chieti)

A hamlet of Chieti, a neighborhood nativity scene:

• Venue: the hamlet's main square

• Character: a parish nativity, the everyday atmosphere of a Chieti neighborhood

• Pair it with: Chieti city (a combined visit with the great nativity at the Museo La Civitella on January 6)

Living nativity scenes in the province of L'Aquila

Camarda (January 3, a hamlet of L'Aquila)

A mountain hamlet of L'Aquila, at the foot of the Gran Sasso:

• Date: January 3 traditionally

• Venue: alleyways of the village

• Atmosphere: one of the recommended stops on an L'Aquila nativity weekend

• Pair it with: L'Aquila city center (15 km), Campo Imperatore

Bugnara (July + December)

One of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, in the Valle Peligna near Sulmona:

• Special feature: two editions per year (July and December)

• Venue: alleyways of the medieval borgo

• Atmosphere: one of the most evocative in the circuit of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages, with the natural scenery of the hilltop borgo as a backdrop

• Pair it with: Sulmona (12 km), Anversa degli Abruzzi (15 km), Pacentro (15 km)

Villetta Barrea (nativity-theater in the PNALM)

In the heart of the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise, along Lake Barrea:

• Character: a nativity-theater with a structured dramatic performance

• Venue: the piazzas and alleyways of the village overlooking the lake

• Atmosphere: the PNALM landscape, an alpine lake, set within one of Italy's oldest National Parks

• Pair it with: Civitella Alfedena (Wolf Museum, 5 km), Pescasseroli (15 km), Barrea (5 km)

Canistro Superiore (Valle Roveto)

The thermal hamlet of Canistro, in the Valle Roveto on the border with Lazio:

• Character: a living nativity in the thermal borgo

• Venue: historic center of the upper hamlet

• Pair it with: a visit to the Terme di Canistro, the Zompo lo Schioppo Nature Reserve (Abruzzo's highest waterfall, 5 km)

Castiglione a Casauria (Abbey of San Clemente)

A borgo in the Valle Peligna, beside the magnificent Abbey of San Clemente a Casauria (a Romanesque gem):

• Venue: the piazza of the Abbey of San Clemente a Casauria

• Setting: the façade of the Romanesque abbey as a backdrop

• Character: a parish nativity, medieval atmosphere

• Pair it with: a visit to the Abbey of San Clemente a Casauria (one of the most important Romanesque monuments in Abruzzo)

Artistic nativity exhibitions

Beyond the living nativity scenes, Abruzzo has a rich tradition of static artistic nativity scenes, on view during Advent and the Christmas season:

Permanent Nativity Museum in Atessa (CH)

• Venue: former Covered Market, Piazza Guglielmo Oberdan, Atessa

• Feature: a permanent collection of artistic nativity scenes from around the world

• Opening: primarily open during the Christmas season (check current hours)

• Character: folk, artistic, ethnic, and scale-model nativity scenes

Papier-mâché nativity of Civitella Alfedena

In the heart of the PNALM:

• Character: a static papier-mâché nativity, fully immersive

• Recorded dialogue in local dialect, voiced by the village's own residents (a truly unique atmosphere)

• Venue: a dedicated building in the historic center

• Pair it with: the Apennine Wolf Museum, excursions in the PNALM

Exhibition of nativity scenes by master craftsman Giuseppe Di Iorio in Chieti

• Master craftsman: Giuseppe Di Iorio, born in Chieti in 1944, a long-standing nativity tradition bearer

• Venue: atrium of the Liceo Classico G.B. Vico, Chieti

• Period: typically from Advent through January 6

• Character: scale-model nativity scenes with artisanal detail

• Pair it with: The Living Nativity of Chieti at the Museo La Civitella on January 6

Exhibitions at the Salesian Center in Sulmona

• Venue: Salesian Center, Sulmona

• Character: artistic nativity scenes brought together in a collective exhibition, a long-standing tradition

• Pair it with: Sulmona's Christmas Markets

Ceramics of Castelli

Castelli (TE), the Abruzzo borgo renowned for its artistic ceramics of national cultural significance, produces traditional ceramic nativity scenes:

• Artisan workshops: open year-round, with a special Christmas display

• Shopping: direct purchases from master ceramicists are possible

• Pair it with: Civitella del Tronto (40 km), Atri (50 km)

Miniature Nativity Competition in Vasto

• Character: an annual competition for miniature nativity scenes, open to families and craftspeople

• Venue: exhibition spaces in the historic center

• Period: December–January

Calendar of the smaller nativity scenes

Date	Nativity Scene	Province
December 8 – January 6	Papier-mâché nativity of Civitella Alfedena (static)	L'Aquila (PNALM)
Advent	Di Iorio exhibition Chieti, Atessa, Castelli, Salesian Center Sulmona	various
December 26	Casalbordino, San Buono, Sant'Eusanio del Sangro	Chieti
December 27	Vasto (Santa Maria quarter alleyways)	Chieti
December 29	Bolognano	Pescara
January 3	Camarda (L'Aquila)	L'Aquila
January 5 (evening)	Other smaller nativity scenes coinciding with Rivisondoli	L'Aquila
January 6	Brecciarola, San Buono (repeat), final nativity scenes	Chieti
January 7	Casalbordino (repeat)	Chieti
July and December	Bugnara (double edition)	L'Aquila
Variable	Castellalto, Pietracamela, Giulianova, Manoppello Scalo, Pianella, Villetta Barrea, Canistro, Castiglione a Casauria	various

Weekend itineraries with the smaller nativity scenes

Vasto area & coast itinerary (December 26 – January 7)

• December 26: Casalbordino (Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli) + San Buono

• December 27: Vasto Santa Maria quarter alleyways

• January 6: Befana on the seafront of Vasto Marina ("arriving from the sea")

• January 7: Casalbordino (repeat)

Teramo area itinerary (Gran Sasso + Adriatic)

• December 26: Castellalto (Gran Sasso + Adriatic views)

• December 27: Pietracamela (beneath the Gran Sasso)

• December 28: Giulianova (Sanctuary of the Madonna dello Splendore)

• Evening: return to Teramo, traditional dinner

PNALM and Marsica itinerary

• Visit the nativity-theater of Villetta Barrea

• Exhibition of the papier-mâché nativity of Civitella Alfedena

• Canistro Superiore (Valle Roveto)

• Pair with Pescasseroli and the L'Aquila Christmas markets

Valle Peligna itinerary

• Bugnara (December living nativity in one of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages)

• Castiglione a Casauria (Abbey of San Clemente)

• Sulmona (nativity exhibitions at the Salesian Center)

• Pair with Rivisondoli on January 5

Stravagando marketplace experiences

Stravagando is the Italian marketplace for experiences exactly like these: , led by carefully selected local hosts. We're putting together our Abruzzo catalogue right now— included — and in the coming months you'll be able to book directly here.

In the meantime, if you are and want to join our circle, write to us: we're looking for you.

And if you're a traveler, subscribe to the Stravagando newsletter: we'll let you know as soon as the first experiences are bookable online — with transparent pricing, certified hosts, and an editorial curation we promise feels different from the big generalist marketplaces.

For the famous large nativity scenes: Living Nativity Scenes of Abruzzo, Living Nativity of Rivisondoli.

For the Christmas context: Christmas Markets, L'Aquila Christmas Markets, Sulmona and Pescocostanzo Christmas Markets.

For the borghi: Scanno and Villalago, PNALM, Abruzzo traditions and festivals.

Enjoy your trip.