Historic Eastern Nativity

In depth

What it is

The Presepe storico orientale is an artistic nativity scene set up every Christmas in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, on via Galla Placidia in Ravenna. It is a large scenographic display that recreates the oriental settings of the time of the Nativity, curated by a parish group from the basilica. It is one of the classic stops on the nativity scene itinerary that brings the churches of Ravenna's historic centre to life every year during the Christmas period.

What makes it special

What makes this nativity scene particularly special is first and foremost the setting in which it is located: the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Ravenna's oldest religious buildings, stands just a few steps from the Basilica di San Vitale and the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, two of the early Christian monuments that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The display recreates an oriental setting, with architecture and views reminiscent of the villages of Palestine at the time of Jesus's birth, set within the church space. The nativity scene is the work of nativity scene makers linked to the Associazione Presepistica Romagnola, an organisation that has been curating various scenographic displays in the city's historic churches for years. The sources consulted do not provide certain information about the number of statues, the materials or the dimensions of the display, nor whether there are mechanical or moving parts.

Origins and history

The basilica's nativity scene is linked to the work of Piergianni Gualtieri, Roberto Lambertini and Roberto Sangiorgi, nativity scene makers from the Associazione Presepistica Romagnola active in Ravenna. Over the years the display has changed character several times: it has also been presented as a scenographic nativity scene in popular style, before taking on its current historical oriental theme. The year the initiative began is not precisely documented. In recent years the care of the display has passed to a parish group from the basilica, led by Roberto Sangiorgi, which takes care of the assembly and opening to the public every December.

What to see

Entering the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, a building commissioned by Bishop Ecclesio in the 6th century and then transformed in 1671 by the architect Pietro Grossi into a three-aisled church with rows of round arches, visitors find the nativity scene set up inside the sacred space, on a route that runs alongside the altars and works preserved in the church, including a high altar in polychrome marble and a 17th-century statue of the Virgin and Child. Outside, one can observe the cylindrical bell tower, dating from between the 9th and 10th centuries, one of the building's most recognisable features. A visit to the nativity scene naturally combines with a visit to the surrounding monumental complex, just a stone's throw from the Basilica di San Vitale.

When and how to visit

The Presepe storico orientale is set up every year during the Christmas period, generally from early December to mid-January. In the last documented edition, opening ran from 8 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, with continuous hours every day from 8.30am to 6pm. Entry to the basilica and the nativity scene is free. Dates and times may vary from year to year: for the current edition it is advisable to check for updates issued by the Comune di Ravenna or the parish before visiting.