The Nativity
Christmas takes on a very special flavour if the setting is offered by absolutely unique environments. This is the case of the artistic nativity scene that is set up inside the Stiffe Caves with a succession of scenes reproducing the salient moments of the nativity. At the entrance, the census is depicted with the Romans as protagonists, then the visitor enters the caves and encounters moments of life at the time, with the annunciation to the shepherds, and so on until reaching the Nativity room in an atmosphere of great spirituality.
If we move on to Villalago, we have the chance to witness another unique spectacle: the laying of the crib statues at the bottom of Lake San Domenico. The ceremony takes place at sunset by the light of the torches of those present in a magical atmosphere. A procession of rafts moved by divers departs from the shore with the six ceramic statues made by the Istituto d'Arte di Castelli (Te) and representing the Three Kings, St. Joseph, the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus, which are then submerged.
There are also living nativity scenes in many inland towns that are the perfect setting for Christmas representations.
Finally, for lovers of the more classic nativity scene, there is the Lanciano nativity scene exhibition, which each year brings together the works of artisans and artists from Italy and abroad.
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