Not just the foosball nativity scene or the weather nativity scene. Creativity, flair, imagination and innovation among the more than 50 artistic, handcrafted nativity scenes scattered throughout the historic centre of Castelfiorentino.
Creativity, imagination, innovation. But also an invitation to think and reflect, to grasp the most authentic meaning of the Christmas nativity scene, the first representation of which originated in 1223 in Greccio thanks to an idea by St Francis of Assisi. It is precisely to St Francis that the association “All’Ombra di Membrino” has dedicated – as part of “La Via dei Presepi” – one of the most spiritually dense reproductions inside the former district prison of Castelfiorentino (Via Tilli), created in collaboration with the Proloco di Gricignano (Sansepolcro). In addition to the nativity scene, which also traces the history of St Francis’ journey, the room opposite also features a work by Prof. Ermanno Poletti and several terracotta works by Giovanni Fiaschi, highlighting the attention, care and artistic level that the “All’Ombra di Membrino” association has reserved for this year’s edition.
Opposite the Nativity Scene of St. Francis, a visit to the ‘Presemino’ is a must. This large-scale representation features numerous moving scenes, with mechanisms, characters and scenery created with passion and dedication by Mino (Mino Moretta), who spent over 300 hours working on it. Near the former prison, in addition to the Presepe Di..vino by Maurizio Di Salvo (one of the most brilliant minds among nativity scene makers), who managed to match each label to a particular character or saint (including the “blood of Judas”), there is also a very beautiful nativity scene created by the pupils of the schools of Castelfiorentino entitled ‘C’è un filo.. Natale del mondo’ (There is a thread… Christmas in the world), the result of a workshop that used wool thread to represent the “bonds” that “unite the people of the world” and “connect all the beautiful things around us”. A message of friendship, hope, peace and universal brotherhood. Opposite this, “Intrecciati dall’amore” (Intertwined by love) is a crocheted nativity scene created by girls, mothers and grandmothers from the Parish of Santa Verdiana. Not far away is the nativity scene made of bricks by children as part of “Domeniche al Museo” (Sundays at the Museum), promoted by the Museum of Sacred Art.
Maurizio Di Salvo’s originality also stands out along ‘La Costa’ with a nativity scene that highlights ‘Values and crafts of the past in the countryside’, created not with the usual characters, but with work tools: the frullana (comet star), scissors (angels), hoes (Mary, Joseph and Jesus), hammers (ox and donkey), pliers (the Magi) and so on. This nativity scene aims to evoke the solidarity of rural life in the past (which also took the form of “exchange of labour”), conviviality, community and brotherhood. Next to it is another original nativity scene by Giancarlo and Antonella Bartaloni, created with Barbie characters.
Continuing towards the “Pieve”, there are other unusual and miniature nativity scenes: from the nativity scene inside a pumpkin to those made of papier-mâché, to the nativity scene created by the elderly residents of the EMD Ciapetti Retirement Home and the one in the Cassero. Finally, there is the Luminous Nativity Scene, which has been further enhanced this year. But that’s not all. There are many other artistic and handcrafted nativity scenes to discover – among the more than 50 present in about forty locations – along a route that is best visited with the help of a map, available online (on the Facebook page of the Municipality and “La Via dei Presepi a Castelfiorentino”).
‘La Via dei Presepi’ is open until 6 January 2026. Opening hours: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 3pm to 7.30pm (closed on 31 December). It is organised by the ‘All’Ombra di Membrino’ Association in collaboration with the Municipality of Castelfiorentino. The event – as you may recall – is part of “Terre di Presepi” (Land of Nativity Scenes), a network of dozens of municipalities in Tuscany (such as the Municipality of Castelfiorentino). For further information: Castelfiorentino Tourist Office +390571.629049. To view all the nativity scenes participating in the project: www.cittadeipresepi.com
