In depth
What it is
The Presepe vivente di Pietracolora is a re-enactment of the Nativity that brings to life, on Christmas night, the small village of Pietracolora, a hamlet in the municipality of Gaggio Montano, in the Bolognese Apennines, less than 70 km from Bologna. It is not a show performed by professional actors, but a community celebration: the inhabitants of the village themselves, just over two hundred people living between 800 and 1000 metres above sea level, transform for one night into shepherds, craftsmen, Roman soldiers and angels, in a nativity scene that occupies the real streets and spaces of the village.
What makes it special
What makes this nativity scene unique is its spontaneous and popular nature: there are no external extras, only the residents of Pietracolora, who for decades have personally taken care of every aspect of the event, from building the wooden huts to the costumes, from the lighting to the food stalls. The village itself, with its stone houses and alleyways, becomes a natural setting, without backdrops or artificial reconstructions. The re-enactment also features real animals, shepherds with their flocks, pipers and the procession of the Magi: an ensemble that in scale and participation has been repeatedly described as one of the largest living nativity scenes in the Bolognese Apennines. All proceeds from voluntary donations, from food to mulled wine, do not remain in the village but have for years been allocated to a charitable project, supporting the missionary work in Ethiopia of a Capuchin friar who originally came from Pietracolora.
Origins and history
Available sources do not report with certainty either the name of who first conceived the Presepe di Pietracolora or a documented founding date. It appears that the tradition was born through the initiative of the local community, probably starting in the 1980s: already in a 2015 article it was described as an event that had been repeated for about thirty years, whilst more recent sources speak of over thirty editions. Over time the event has become established as a fixed appointment of the Christmas period for the entire Bolognese Apennines, maintaining its original spirit: a celebration run entirely by the inhabitants, not for profit, with the proceeds from donations permanently allocated to supporting the Ethiopian mission linked to the village.
What to see
The evening opens in the late afternoon or early evening with workshops reproducing ancient crafts and huts offering the gastronomic specialities of the Apennine tradition, such as tigelle, crescentine, borlenghi and polenta, as well as mulled wine, all by voluntary donation. The village comes alive with fires and soft lights, whilst awaiting the central moment of the evening: the sung Holy Mass, followed by the re-enactment of the Holy Night, with a historical procession through the village, shepherds, flocks, pipers and the arrival of the Three Kings with their gifts. The celebration generally closes with gifts for the children and a fireworks display above the village houses.
When and how to visit
The Presepe vivente di Pietracolora is traditionally held on Christmas Eve night, 24 December, with a repeat performance in the early days of January, between Epiphany and the immediately preceding days. In the most recent edition the events took place between the end of December 2025 and the early days of January 2026, with the opening of food stalls and workshops in the late afternoon or early evening, the sung Mass generally late in the evening and the Nativity representation following. It is advisable to arrive early, given the crowds and the limited capacity of a mountain village, and to dress appropriately for the cold Apennine night. Entry to the nativity scene is free, without a ticket; visits to the food stalls and workshops are by voluntary donation, with proceeds going to charity. For the exact dates and times of the current edition it is advisable to check the social media page dedicated to the event before planning your visit, as these may vary slightly from year to year.
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