In depth
What it is
The Presepio di Wolfango at Villa Davia is a temporary exhibition set up each winter in the historic village of Colle Ameno, in Sasso Marconi, just outside Bologna. The star is the work of Bolognese artist Wolfango: around 150 statues in coloured terracotta that make up an unusual Nativity scene, displayed in the ancient rooms of the villa.
What makes it special
What makes this nativity scene unique are the material and the artist's language: hand-modelled figures in terracotta painted in vivid colours, generously sized, very different from traditional wooden or plaster figurines. The scenes bring together the classic iconography of the Nativity, the Magi, the shepherds, the comet, the ox and the donkey, with characters from Bolognese history and culture, in a personal narrative that blends sacred and profane. The setting itself is part of the attraction: the frescoed rooms of Villa Davia, an eighteenth-century residence in the small village of Colle Ameno, offer an unusual and intimate environment for an artistic nativity scene.
Origins and history
The work stems from the labour of Bolognese painter Wolfango (Wolfango Peretti Poggi), who liked to describe himself as an agnostic who enjoyed nativity scenes. He began modelling the first terracotta figures in 1964, on the occasion of his daughter Alighiera's birth, and continued the work for over fifty years, dedicating the piece to her and his son Davide. Over the years the nativity scene has been displayed in various Bolognese venues, including the basilica of Santa Maria della Vita in the centre of Bologna; since 2023 the winter installation has found a home in the rooms of Villa Davia, in the village of Colle Ameno, where it is presented again each Christmas season.
What to see
The visitor route winds through the historic rooms of the villa and begins with sketches and preparatory drawings by the artist, to introduce visitors to his way of working before arriving at the actual statues. You encounter the classic figures of the Nativity alongside characters that Wolfango chose to include in his nativity scene, drawn from history, imagination and Bolognese life, in a highly personal narrative ensemble far removed from traditional nativity scenes.
When and how to visit
The Presepio di Wolfango opens each year at the beginning of December and remains open until early February, during the Christmas period. In the last edition it opened on 5 December with closure on 8 February, and visiting hours were Friday from 2:30 pm to 7:00 pm, Saturday, Sunday and 6 January from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm and from 2:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Admission was free. This information refers to the previous edition: for the current year it is advisable to check updated dates and times with the village of Colle Ameno or the tourist office in Sasso Marconi before visiting.
