In depth
What it is
The living Nativity of Classe, entitled "L'ingresso a Betlemme", is a living representation of Christmas organised every year by the parish of Sant'Apollinare in Classe, on the outskirts of Ravenna. It is held at the Casa dei Ragazzi on via Romea Sud 224, a few steps from the basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe, a UNESCO site. Here volunteers from the local community recreate an entire village of Bethlehem, with workshops, trades and the Nativity scene, to let visitors experience the atmosphere of Christmas night.
What makes it special
What makes this nativity scene special is first and foremost its living and collective nature: not statues, but inhabitants of Classe who for one night become shepherds, craftsmen, musicians, Roman guards and the censor, bringing to life a small oriental village complete with tavern, bakery and workshops. The route is designed to be walked by the visitor, who enters Bethlehem, meets the characters and their ancient trades, tastes the bread baked by the baker and can stop at the tavern for biscuits, piadina and mulled wine offered free of charge. The culminating moment arrives on Christmas Eve, when performers and audience move together in a costumed procession to the nearby basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe for midnight mass, a passage that unites theatrical representation with the liturgical life of the parish. At Epiphany the scene comes alive again with the arrival of the Three Kings on horseback. The structure is also wheelchair accessible.
Origins and history
The living nativity of Classe was born from the initiative of the Commissione del Presepio, in collaboration with the parish of Sant'Apollinare in Classe, as a community moment around the story of the Nativity. It is a well-established tradition of many years: already in 2014 it was described as a recurring appointment on Christmas Eve and Epiphany, and in more recent years reference is made to double-digit editions, a sign of an event that renews itself season after season whilst maintaining the same structure, the village of Bethlehem set up by volunteers from the local community. The sources consulted do not report a precise founding date nor the name of a single creator: the event is presented as the fruit of the collective work of the parish commission and the many inhabitants of Classe who each year lend their face and time to the characters.
What to see
The route opens with the encounter with the censor, the figure who in the Gospel story registers the inhabitants in view of the Roman census, and then continues among the huts set up as craft workshops: musicians and Roman guards can be seen, as well as the baker who bakes the bread offered to visitors. There is also the tavern, where you can stop for a glass of mulled wine or a taste of piadina and biscuits offered free of charge. The walk ends in front of the Holy Family, with the shepherds in adoration in the Nativity hut. On Christmas Eve, the final scene is the costumed procession that accompanies the faithful and performers to the basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe for Christmas mass; on 6 January, however, the scene comes alive with the arrival on horseback of the Three Kings, who bring gifts to Jesus and to all the children present.
When and how to visit
The living nativity of Classe traditionally opens twice during the Christmas period: on Christmas Eve evening and on Epiphany afternoon. In the last documented edition the times were 24 December from 7pm to 11.30pm, with the procession to the basilica shortly before midnight, and 6 January from 3pm to 6pm, with the arrival of the Three Kings on horseback at 4.30pm. Admission is always free. For the dates and times of the current edition, which may vary slightly from year to year, it is advisable to check the website of the parish of Sant'Apollinare in Classe or the Facebook page of the nativity scene before visiting. The venue, Casa dei Ragazzi on via Romea Sud 224 in Classe, can be reached by car from Ravenna in a few minutes and is located next to the basilica, the destination of the Christmas Eve procession.
