In depth
What it is
The living nativity of the Epiphany is the event that closes the Christmas calendar of Castel San Pietro Terme, a spa town in the Bologna plains a few kilometres from Imola. On the morning of 6 January, Piazza XX Settembre, the historic heart of the town, transforms into a living scene dedicated to the arrival of the Three Wise Men, welcomed by the children of the community. The initiative is organised by the Parrocchia di Santa Maria Maggiore together with the Municipality and the Pro Loco, as part of the town's Christmas programme known as Castèlanadèl.
What makes it special
Unlike nativity scenes set up in churches or artificial grottos, this one takes place in the open air, in the main square of the town, surrounded by the Town Hall and the Santuario del Santissimo Crocifisso. There are no statues: the protagonists are the children of the town and the volunteers from the parish, who bring to life a moving representation, with a procession that crosses the square to welcome the Magi. During the days of Epiphany the square remains decorated with the Christmas tree, themed flowerbeds and an artistic nativity scene, creating a scenic setting around the living representation. The event is also part of a wider route of nativity scenes in the area, from the computerised nativity scene of the Cappuccini, open from 24 December, to the installations in the hamlets of Osteria Grande, Varignana and Montecalderaro, offering visitors a comparison between different techniques, from mechanical statuary to live performance.
Origins and history
Available sources do not precisely document the year the event was born nor who first conceived it: it is an established tradition, carried forward year after year by volunteers from the Parrocchia di Santa Maria Maggiore. In recent years the event has been permanently included in the Castèlanadèl programme, the Christmas events calendar organised jointly by the Municipality and Pro Loco, which also includes the guide Andar per presepi, designed to guide visitors among the representations in the centre and the hamlets.
What to see
On the morning of Epiphany the children gather in the square to welcome the Three Wise Men, who arrive accompanied by a short procession. No ticket is required: you can simply stop to watch or join the audience following the representation around the square. Around the scene the lights and Christmas decorations of the historic centre remain visible, together with the large Christmas tree and the artistic nativity scene set up in the square. Those wishing to extend their visit can continue to the computerised nativity scene of the Cappuccini or reach the hamlets of Osteria Grande, Varignana and Montecalderaro, where other nativity scenes indicated in the municipal guide remain on display.
When and how to visit
The living nativity is traditionally held on the morning of 6 January, Epiphany day, in Piazza XX Settembre in Castel San Pietro Terme. In the last known edition, that of January 2025, the event took place from 9.30 to 12, with gathering in the square and procession around mid-morning; times and details may however vary from year to year, so it is advisable to check the Castèlanadèl programme published each year by the Municipality and Pro Loco. Entry is free, as it is a public event organised by the Parrocchia di Santa Maria Maggiore.
