In depth
What it is
The Presepe Valli Pineta is the Christmas nativity display of Marina Romea, the coastal hamlet north of Ravenna nestled between the pine forest and the brackish marshlands of the Pialassa. It is located in the public park along viale Italia, in the heart of the settlement, and is maintained by the Pro Loco di Marina Romea. It is neither a church nativity scene nor a traditional grotto, but an outdoor installation designed to be seen by anyone strolling through the park, by day or by night, without the need for tickets or opening hours.
What makes it special
The distinctive feature of this nativity scene is the language it uses to tell the Nativity story: not traditional figurines, but silhouettes depicting the marshland and pine forest environment typical of the Ravenna coast, namely the same landscape of reed beds, brackish water and pine trees that surrounds the park where it stands. It is therefore a nativity scene that blends with the place that hosts it, setting the Nativity scene in the natural landscape of the northern lidi of Ravenna rather than in a grotto or imaginary village. It forms part of a wider route, La via dei Presepi del Mare, which links three displays in the northern lidi: the Presepe del Mare in Casalborsetti, the Presepe Valli Pineta in Marina Romea and the Presepe dei Pescatori in Porto Corsini, each with a setting connected to the identity of its own territory.
Origins and history
The nativity scene originated from an idea by the Pro Loco associations of the northern lidi of Ravenna, with the aim of creating a shared project capable of enhancing the entire coastal community during the festive season. Available sources do not record a precise founding date nor the name of who designed the silhouettes for the Marina Romea nativity scene: the initiative was already well established in the early 2020s and is repeated every year by the local Pro Loco. As the earliest origins are not precisely documented, it is not possible to state with certainty how the display has changed over time compared to the first edition.
What to see
Walking through the park on viale Italia, one encounters a composition of silhouettes that evokes the Nativity scene set in the marshland and pine forest landscape of Marina Romea: silhouettes recalling the Mediterranean scrub, reed beds and brackish waters typical of the area, with the representation of the Holy Family at the centre. It is a small-scale nativity scene, designed for a public park rather than a large scenic space, and is best enjoyed as part of an evening stroll through the pine forest rather than as an attraction to visit on its own.
When and how to visit
The nativity scene is set up every year during the Christmas period, traditionally between early December and the first days of January; in the most recent documented edition it was visible from 9 December 2025 to 9 January 2026. Being an outdoor installation in a public park, it is always visible, with no opening and closing times and no admission charge. For the dates of the next edition, it is advisable to check the Pro Loco di Marina Romea website or the Comune di Ravenna channels before visiting.
