In depth
What it is
"Magia di Natale" is the artistic nativity scene set up every winter in the Cortile d'Onore of Palazzo d'Accursio, the town hall overlooking piazza Maggiore, in the heart of Bologna. It is the work of artists Elisabetta Bertozzi and Luigi Enzo Mattei, a Bolognese sculptor known for his work with terracotta and traditional fired clay. The nativity scene occupies the porticoed courtyard of the municipal palace, becoming one of the most visited stops of Bolognese Christmas, alongside the city's other displays.
What makes it special
The first distinctive feature is the location: not a church or museum, but the Cortile d'Onore of the town hall, the heart of Bolognese civic power, open to all. The figures are made in polychrome terracotta, a technique that recalls the Bolognese fired clay tradition of which Mattei is one of the most renowned interpreters, with works also recognised in the UNESCO programme dedicated to heritage for a culture of peace. In the composition, the Christ Child occupies the symbolic centre of the scene, oriented towards those who approach to encounter him; the Magi are placed high up, resplendent with starlight, whilst two angels of wonder gaze together towards Heaven and Earth. The ox and donkey are present, figures that recall all humanity and pay homage to Saint Francis, traditionally associated with the introduction of animals into the representation of the Nativity. Each year the nativity scene changes its title and narrative emphasis, remaining faithful to the same sculptural language, so that returning visitors always find a new work in the same familiar space.
Origins and history
The nativity scene in the Cortile d'Onore of Palazzo d'Accursio is an appointment that the municipal administration has been offering for several years, entrusted to the collaboration between sculptor Elisabetta Bertozzi and sculptor Luigi Enzo Mattei, Bolognese by birth, formerly a teacher at State Art Institutes and Academies of Fine Arts. Mattei has long worked with terracotta in the Bolognese fired clay tradition and also created the nativity scene housed in the basilica of San Petronio. Over the years the work has changed name and theme several times whilst maintaining the same technical structure: among previous editions are documented, for example, the "Presepio dei Magi" and "Dall'Apocalisse alla Speranza", the latter dedicated to the passage from conflict to hope for peace among peoples. The "Magia di Natale" edition was inaugurated on 2 December 2025 with a ceremony in the courtyard, in the presence of Mayor Matteo Lepore and Archbishop Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. The sources consulted do not precisely document the year in which this nativity tradition in the courtyard of the municipal palace began.
What to see
In the porticoed courtyard, punctuated by columns and the celebrated scalone dei Cavalli, the Nativity scene unfolds, modelled in painted terracotta: the Holy Family at the centre, the Magi in an elevated position wrapped in light recalling that of the stars, and two angels of wonder turning their gaze in opposite directions, towards Heaven and towards Earth. Beside them, the ox and donkey complete the scene as symbols of all humanity and of a creation to be cherished. The display dialogues with the historic architecture of the palace, among loggias and porticoes, and in the evening comes alive with the Christmas lights illuminating piazza Maggiore.
When and how to visit
The nativity scene is set up every year during the Christmas period, generally from early December until Epiphany. In the most recent edition, opening took place on 2 December, with an inaugural ceremony at 6.30 pm, and the work remained visible until 6 January. Being located in a public courtyard of the municipal palace, entry is free of charge, accessible during the courtyard's opening hours. For dates and times for the current year, it is always advisable to check the channels of the Comune di Bologna or Bologna Welcome before visiting.
