In depth
What it is
Presepi d'Incanto is the animated mechanical nativity scene of Meldola, a small town in the province of Forlì-Cesena, in Romagna. It is conceived and created by nativity scene artist and director Davide Santandrea together with the Municipality of Meldola. The main display occupies the spacious halls of the ancient Franciscan convent next to the church of San Francesco, at via Giordano Bruno 25, while the route also extends to the church of San Giovanni Evangelista in Ricò and Castelnuovo, making Meldola, during the Christmas period, a true city of nativity scenes. Admission is free.
What makes it special
The heart of the work is a monumental nativity scene composed of over two hundred statues, ranging from sixty centimetres to one metre in height, made of wood and papier-mâché using traditional craft techniques and animated by electric motors and complex mechanisms that move shepherds, sheep, women at work and boats. Light effects simulate dawn over the villages, while a nocturnal snowfall is accompanied by a choir of angels. The scenography reaches a depth of eight metres, designed for an almost cinematic perspective effect. Alongside the new work, the historic animated nativity scene by don Galileo Macori is also displayed, considered the first animated nativity scene created in Romagna and in Italy.
Origins and history
The nativity scene by don Galileo Macori, a priest from Cesena, was built in the 1940s, during the Second World War, in honour of the war wounded, and is recognised as the first animated nativity scene in the Romagnol and Italian tradition. His legacy passed to padre Giovanni Lambertini, a Franciscan friar and master nativity scene maker, of whom Davide Santandrea was a pupil. Santandrea, a director and sculptor, has since 1982 created around one hundred animated nativity scenes in Italy and abroad, including a large installation in Ravenna active until 2008. In 1989 he purchased and restored don Macori's nativity scene, now displayed alongside his creations, uniting three generations of master nativity scene makers. In the most recent edition, dedicated to the theme of peace, the main display entered the halls of the Franciscan convent for the first time, after being hosted for years in the church spaces.
What to see
The route unfolds through three major scenes: the Annunciation of the archangel Gabriel to Mary, the Nativity of Jesus with the arrival of the shepherds accompanied by traditional music, and the Adoration of the Magi at the court of San Giuseppe in Nazareth. There is no shortage of scenes inspired by Gospel parables, such as those of the Good Shepherd, the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan. Alongside, don Macori's historic nativity scene tells, with simpler and older figures, the origin of this Romagnol mechanical tradition.
When and how to visit
The nativity scene traditionally opens from early December to early February. In the last edition, from 8 December 2025 to 1 February 2026, the opening hours were as follows: from 8 to 24 December on public holidays and the days before from 9.30 to 12.30 and from 14.30 to 18.00; from 24 December to 6 January every day at the same times; from 7 January to 1 February on public holidays and the days before from 14.30 to 18.00. Admission has always been free. For the dates and times of the next edition it is advisable to check with the tourist information point in Meldola or with the Municipality's channels before visiting.
