In depth
What it is
"E venne ad abitare in mezzo a noi!" is an artistic nativity scene in Sicilian style set up every Christmas inside the basilica of Sant'Agata Maggiore, at via Mazzini 46 in Ravenna. The work is curated by the Gruppo presepistico del Duomo, the same group of volunteers who every year also create the large Palestinian-style nativity scene in Ravenna Cathedral. Here, in the setting of one of the city's oldest basilicas, a Nativity with a Mediterranean flavour takes shape, with refined figures and embroidered garments that tell the story of the eighteenth-century Sicilian nativity tradition.
What makes it special
What makes this nativity scene unique are the statues, created by Angela Tripi, a Palermo sculptor among the most appreciated in the panorama of Italian nativity art. Her figures are hand-modelled in terracotta, with the body entirely formed, unlike traditional mannequins with a dressed skeleton, and fired at about 1000 degrees; the garments are made of starched fabric, enriched with embroidery and precious small details. The style recalls the Sicilian nativity tradition, with influences from Arab culture reworked in an artistic key. Further value is added to the display by its location: the interior of the early Christian basilica of Sant'Agata Maggiore, whose origins date back to the fifth century, a place that is itself part of Ravenna's historical and artistic heritage.
Origins and history
The nativity scene is the work of the Gruppo presepistico del Duomo di Ravenna, led by Alessio Callegaro, who for years has carried forward in the city the tradition of setting up several artistic nativity scenes, different in style and setting, including the Palestinian one in the Cathedral and the Sicilian one in Sant'Agata Maggiore. The sources consulted do not report a certain date for the start of this specific display nor the detailed account of its birth: what is documented is the constant work of the group, composed of volunteers of all ages, who every year oversee the creation and updating of the city's nativity scenes in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
What you can see
Visitors find a Nativity scene set according to the canons of the eighteenth-century Sicilian nativity: the Holy Family, the shepherds and the characters of the popular procession are rendered with great care in their faces, poses and costumes, embellished with embroidery and fine fabrics, typical of Angela Tripi's style. The display unfolds inside the basilica, among the naves and early Christian architecture of the building, creating an evocative dialogue between nativity art and one of Ravenna's most ancient sacred spaces.
When and how to visit
The nativity scene is usually set up during the Christmas period, from early December to late January. In the last edition it was open to visitors from 6 December 2025 to 31 January 2026, with opening on Saturdays from 9.30 to 13.30 and from 15.30 to 19.30, on Sundays from 9.30 to 11.30 and from 13.30 to 17.30. Admission is free. For dates and times of the current edition, it is advisable to check with the Ravenna tourist office or with the parish before visiting.
