In depth
What it is
Portico il paese dei presepi is a Christmas exhibition that transforms the entire medieval village of Portico di Romagna, a hamlet of the municipality of Portico e San Benedetto, into an open-air nativity scene. Along via Roma, the streets of the historic centre, the churches and the garden of the ancient Torre Portinari, hundreds of nativity scenes appear, set up by the inhabitants and volunteers of the Pro Loco. The initiative is organised by Pro Loco Portico and runs throughout the Christmas period, with markets, food stalls and entertainment in the village.
What makes it special
This is not a single nativity scene but a widespread display of hundreds and hundreds of nativity scenes, created with very different materials: wood, stone, papier-mâché, recycled materials and DIY techniques handed down from family to family. The figurines appear everywhere, on the facades of houses, at windows, in front of doors, under staircases, on benches, making every corner of the village part of the display. The garden of Torre Portinari, a tower traditionally linked to the family of Folco Portinari, father of Dante's Beatrice, hosts a particularly evocative collection of artistic nativity scenes. The setting itself, a small medieval stone village among the woods of the Apennines near Forlì, makes the experience different from an exhibition in a single enclosed space: you visit by walking through the streets, by day and by night, with lights coming on as the sun sets.
Origins and history
The tradition began when some inhabitants of Portico started to set up their nativity scene outside their homes, near the door, for neighbours and passers-by. The atmosphere this created appealed to the whole village, and the initiative gradually extended to streets, churches and gardens, becoming the widespread nativity scene seen today. The sources consulted do not report a precise founding year nor the name of who first conceived it, but the exhibition reached its fifty-second edition in 2025-2026, a sign of a tradition that has been renewed every year for over half a century thanks to the work of the Pro Loco and the participation of the whole community. Over the years the programme has been enriched with markets, food stalls, horse-drawn carriages at festive weekends, children's workshops and cultural initiatives, including in some editions a photography competition for visitors.
What to see
Walking among the stone houses of Portico di Romagna you encounter nativity scenes of every size and style, from the most traditional in wood and papier-mâché to those made with recycled materials, arranged on balconies, doorsteps, low walls and alleyways. The village churches, including the Santuario della Beata Vergine del Sangue, the parish church of Santa Maria in Girone and the Oratorio della Visitazione, host some of the most carefully arranged displays, whilst the garden of Torre Portinari brings together a group of artistic nativity scenes and, in some editions, themed photographic exhibitions. On feast days the village comes alive with music, singing, street performers, markets in the historic centre and local specialities such as roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, polenta and fried piadina.
When and how to visit
The exhibition is traditionally held during the Christmas period, from 8 December to mid-January. In the last verified edition the dates were from 8 December 2025 to 11 January 2026. The nativity scenes remain visible along the streets day and night, with free admission; some days in the programme, such as the markets and events in the square, follow their own timetables linked to weekends and holidays. For the dates and programme of the current edition it is advisable to check the channels of Pro Loco Portico before visiting, as they have not yet been published with certainty at this date.
