In depth
What it is
Longiano dei Presepi is a Christmas event spread throughout the historic centre of Longiano, a small medieval village in the province of Forlì-Cesena, in Emilia-Romagna, awarded the Bandiera Arancione. For over a month, between December and January, the streets, squares, historic buildings and museums of the town are filled with over a hundred nativity scenes, traditional and mechanical, created by local craftsmen and residents. The initiative is organised by the Comune di Longiano and the Ufficio IAT.
What makes it special
What distinguishes Longiano dei Presepi is the variety of works and their distribution throughout the village: over a hundred nativity scenes using different techniques, from small handcrafted nativities to large animated mechanical cribs, distributed along the streets and squares, freely accessible at any time, and inside historic buildings and museums, open instead on set days and times. The focal point of the route is the mechanical nativity scene at the Santuario del SS. Crocifisso, among the largest and most famous in Italy, with animated statues that move arms, heads and tools. The setting in the hilltop village, festively lit, and the walks with musicians and street artists complete the atmosphere.
Origins and history
The original core dates back to the post-war period, when a large mechanical nativity scene was set up in the Santuario del SS. Crocifisso di Longiano, the work of the clockmaker mechanic don Galileo Macori, with animated statues created by padre Giovanni Lambertini; today the nativity scene is maintained by the Gualtieri family. Around this historic nativity scene, in 1991 the Longiano dei Presepi event was born, which has expanded every year since: from a few exhibitions in churches and cellars in the town it has become a route spread throughout the historic centre, with the involvement of families, associations and museums. The 2025-2026 edition is the thirty-fifth. No single creator is documented: the event began as a community initiative linked to the tradition of the Santuario.
What to see
The route, marked on a map distributed by the tourist office, leads through the village lanes, where nativity scenes of every size and material can be found: wood, terracotta, paper, recycled materials, as well as animated mechanical dioramas. Fixed stops include the large nativity scene at the Santuario del SS. Crocifisso, the nativities set up in historic buildings and those displayed in local museums, such as the Museo d'Arte Sacra. There is also Christmas street lighting, along with performance walks featuring musicians and street artists on certain dates and, on 6 January, the Befana festival with games, tombola and family entertainment.
When and how to visit
Longiano dei Presepi is usually held from 8 December until mid-January, around the feast of Epiphany. The 2025-2026 edition is announced from 8 December 2025 to 11 January 2026, with the opening on 8 December. Entry to the route is free of charge. In the last documented edition, the outdoor nativity scenes were accessible at any time, while those in buildings, churches and museums were open free of charge at weekends and public holidays, from 10am to 12pm and 2.30pm to 6.30pm, extended to weekdays from 21 December to 6 January. The route map is available from the Ufficio IAT tourist office in Longiano; for the programme and times of the current edition it is advisable to check updated information on the website or social media channels of the event.
