In depth
What it is
The Presepe Vivente di Piobbico is a costumed re-enactment of the Nativity held every year during the Christmas period in the medieval village of Piobbico, in the province of Pesaro e Urbino, in the Marche region. The route winds through the streets of the town, from viale Marconi to via Brancaleoni, at the foot of Castello Brancaleoni, and involves over one hundred participants, both adults and children. It is organised by the Comune di Piobbico and the local Pro Loco, in collaboration with Unpli Pesaro Urbino, and in 2025 it reached its 28th edition.
What makes it special
What makes this nativity scene particularly distinctive is above all its setting: the streets, cellars, porticoes and small squares of the village become living scenes lit by fires and torches, recreating the atmosphere of a distant time. Over one hundred participants portray period trades and figures, shepherds, craftsmen, weavers, carpenters, potters, washerwomen, merchants and Roman soldiers, bringing to life scenes of daily life along the entire route to the Nativity. The route concludes at the foot of Castello Brancaleoni, an evocative fortified residence that provides a monumental backdrop to the final scenes.
Origins and history
Available sources trace the birth of this nativity scene to the early 1990s, to historical research initiated by pupils at the middle school in Piobbico with the aim of faithfully reconstructing the environment, customs and trades of the time of the Nativity. From a school initiative, the nativity scene has evolved over time into an event involving the entire community, with the support of the Comune and the Pro Loco. No verified sources are available that specify with certainty the exact year of the first edition or the details of every single edition held over the years; the edition of 28 December 2025 was the 28th.
What to see
Walking along the route, visitors pass through scenes that retrace the story of the Nativity, from the Annunciation to Mary to the birth of Jesus, passing through settings such as the court of Herod, a Roman soldiers' encampment, an ancient school and workshops of period trades. Along the streets of the village one encounters craftsmen at work, shepherds with flocks, merchants, weavers and washerwomen in historical dress, while the route winds through cellars, arches and small squares before concluding near Castello Brancaleoni.
When and how to visit
The Presepe Vivente di Piobbico generally takes place on a single evening during the Christmas period, normally between late December and early January. In the last verified edition, on 28 December 2025, entry was from 5.30 pm with staggered flows along the route from viale Marconi to via Brancaleoni. Admission was charged: 7 euros for adults and 5 euros for those up to 18 years old, with free entry for younger children according to some sources. The dates and times of the next edition are not yet confirmed at the time of writing this entry: it is advisable to check the official channels of the Comune and Pro Loco di Piobbico before visiting.
