In depth
What it is
The Presepe di Leonardo, also known as the Grande Presepe di Cattolica, is a mechanical and animated nativity scene set up every year in piazza Mercato Coperto, in the heart of the town's historic centre. It is not a church nativity scene, but a large scenic installation designed to amaze young and old alike with lights, mechanical movements and water features. It is part of Cattolica's Christmas calendar, alongside other initiatives such as the Bosco di Luce, but remains one of the most beloved and most visited attractions of the season.
What makes it special
What makes this nativity scene unique is above all its scale: over 4,000 figurines, collected and assembled since the 1980s, make up scenes that interweave into a single great visual narrative. It is not a static nativity scene: some parts of the scenery are mechanically animated and there is also a water feature, designed to bring movement to the Nativity scenes. The settings blend classic nativity iconography with familiar landscapes and atmospheres that recall both the Neapolitan nativity tradition and Arabian-flavoured suggestions, in a very personal ensemble. Being set up in a covered public square in the historic centre, it is also easily accessible on foot for those visiting Cattolica during the holidays.
Origins and history
According to information released by the organisers, the nativity scene was born from a childhood memory of its creator, Leonardo, who began collecting the first figurines in the 1980s. From that personal collection, a Christmas spectacle has developed over time that is renewed each season, with scenery and details that change from year to year whilst maintaining the same basic structure. The sources consulted do not report other biographical details about the author nor the exact date of the first public display in piazza Mercato Coperto: a more detailed historical reconstruction is not documented in the available sources.
What to see
Visiting the nativity scene, you pass through different settings populated by thousands of figurines, from the characters of the Nativity to scenes of daily life, workshops, shepherds, animals and landscapes. Some parts of the scenery move thanks to automated mechanisms, whilst a water feature animates some views, helping to make the ensemble more dynamic than a traditional nativity scene. The route is designed for an audience of all ages, with a display that focuses on the quantity of details and the richness of the scenes.
When and how to visit
The nativity scene is set up every year during the Christmas holidays in piazza Mercato Coperto, and remains open throughout the period that usually runs from late November to early January, as part of the town's Christmas events calendar. In the latest edition, between 29 November 2025 and 11 January 2026, opening hours were daily from 10am to 1pm and from 3pm to midnight, with a paid admission of 3 euros for visitors aged 12 and over. These details refer to the most recent edition: for the current year it is always advisable to check updated dates and times with the Ufficio IAT di Cattolica, on +39 0541 966621 or by writing to iat@cattolica.net, or on the Comune di Cattolica channels.
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