In depth
What it is
The Presepe della Tradizione alle Conserve is an artistic nativity scene set up every Christmas in Piazzetta delle Conserve, in the heart of Cesenatico's historic centre, just steps from the Porto Canale Leonardesco. Life-size statues, created by local artists, depict the Nativity in the spaces of the small square and inside one of the ancient conserve, the wells that were once used to preserve fish with ice and snow. It is one of the city's historic nativity scenes, alongside the better-known Presepe della Marineria displayed on the harbour boats.
What makes it special
What distinguishes this nativity scene is its setting: the Holy Family, the ox and the donkey find shelter inside a covered conserva, the truncated cone-shaped well that for centuries preserved the fish caught by Cesenatico fishermen, transformed for the occasion into a natural grotto. Around it, in the small square, shepherds, a flock and a camel can be found: life-size statues that over the years have been renewed and enriched by local artists with fabrics, hides, terracotta, metals and objects of popular use, in a style that deliberately recalls ancient painting. The nativity scene maintains a humble and popular character, consistent with the history of the place and the fishing community that preserves it.
Origins and history
The nativity scene was conceived in 1994 by Francesco Marconi and for years was looked after by Ginesio Albonetti. Born as an initiative of the historic centre community to enliven the small square during the holidays, over time it has been renewed several times by local artists, who have replaced and enriched the statues with new materials and details. Today the installation is managed by the Proloco del Monte. The complete chronology of management transitions and some details of the early editions are not uniformly documented by available sources.
What to see
The route unfolds throughout Piazzetta delle Conserve: life-size statues of shepherds, a flock of sheep and a camel accompany visitors towards the central point, the covered conserva that houses the Nativity, the ox and the donkey. The conserve themselves, truncated cone-shaped wells about six metres deep with an opening of about eight metres, bear witness to a fish preservation system in use since the sixteenth century: of the approximately twenty that existed in the city, only three restored ones remain, and one of these welcomes the nativity scene every year. In the evening, Christmas lighting makes the scene particularly evocative.
When and how to visit
The nativity scene is set up every year during the Christmas period, traditionally from early December until Epiphany. The last known edition ran from 7 December 2025 to 11 January 2026, but the dates of the current edition should always be verified with the Cesenatico tourist office or with the Proloco del Monte. Being set up in a public square in the historic centre, the nativity scene is freely visible, with no opening hours or ticket, and can be admired even in the evening when the Christmas lights come on. Piazza delle Conserve also hosts the town market in the morning: it is therefore advisable to combine the visit with a walk towards the nearby Porto Canale Leonardesco, where the Presepe della Marineria can also be found.
