In depth
What it is
The Presepe Vivente di Montegiardino is the representation of the Nativity staged every year in the historic centre of Montegiardino, the smallest of the nine castles of the Republic of San Marino. It is not a show performed by outside actors: it is the inhabitants of the village themselves who dress as the Holy Family, the shepherds, the Three Wise Men, the Roman soldiers and the craftsmen of times past. Visitors walk through the alleys and small squares of the village, transformed for the occasion into a large open-air nativity scene, up to the scene of the Nativity, the culminating moment of the evening.
What makes it special
What makes this nativity scene unique is its setting: not a purpose-built scenery, but the authentic streets of a medieval village perched on a hill, with its stone houses and narrow views, lit by the glow of torches. Along the route you encounter craft workshops and ancient trades recreated with care, hand-sewn costumes faithful to tradition, songs and music of the period. The diocese of San Marino Montefeltro describes it as a living nativity scene without equal in the diocesan territory, precisely because it is interpreted by the entire community of the castle, not an outside company. In recent years the event has gained visibility beyond the borders of San Marino: a delegation from Montegiardino took part in Rome, as part of the Jubilee, in a large gathering of Italian living nativity scenes, bringing their own representation of the Holy Family, the Magi, the angels, the Roman soldiers and the shepherds to an audience in the Vatican.
Origins and history
The nativity scene is promoted by the Giunta di Castello di Montegiardino together with the Consiglio Pastorale Parrocchiale, with the collaboration of the Gruppo Arti e Mestieri of the village. The tradition is documented at least from the late 1990s: in January 2015 the sixteenth edition was already counted, which places its start approximately around 1999-2000, although more precise sources on the birth of the initiative are not available. Over the years the event was interrupted for a period of several seasons, then resumed in December 2024 with an edition that attracted over two thousand visitors in total between Santo Stefano and Epifania. Since then the nativity scene of Montegiardino has expanded its reach, with participants from the village also invited to the Christmas initiatives in the historic centre of the Città di San Marino and, in 2025, to Rome.
What you see
During the visit you walk through the streets of the village populated by figures in costume: shepherds with flocks, women at the loom or at the hearth, blacksmiths and craftsmen at work, Roman soldiers on guard, angels and the Three Wise Men on their journey. The route winds through the stone houses of the castle, with small workshops recreated in the doorways and alleys, until reaching the scene of the Nativity with the Holy Family, the symbolic heart of the entire display. The atmosphere is that of a village taken back in time, warmed by the light of torches and the Christmas songs that accompany visitors along the way.
When and how to visit
The Presepe Vivente di Montegiardino traditionally takes place during the Christmas period, particularly on 26 December, Santo Stefano, and 6 January, Epifania. For the 2025/2026 edition, openings are scheduled on these two dates, with official opening hours between 13.30 and 20.30; there is no guarantee that days and times will remain identical in subsequent editions, so it is always advisable to check the updated calendar before setting off. Entry to the route is free. The nativity scene is located in the centre of Montegiardino, reachable by car from Rimini via the Strada del Marano or the Rimini San Marino dual carriageway; only part of the route within the village is wheelchair accessible. For information you can contact the Giunta di Castello di Montegiardino or the website and social media channels dedicated to the event.
