Borghi e Presepi

An open-air Christmas in Carnia

Among the mountains of Carnia, at the foot of Monte Zoncolan, there is a village that every winter dresses in light and storytelling: Sutrio, in the province of Udine. From December until Epiphany, the event Borghi e Presepi transforms the town into a large open-air nativity scene, where Friulian artisanal tradition meets art and scenography. Organized by the Pro Loco Sutrio, it is one of the most beloved Christmas experiences in Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Nativity scenes among courtyards and porticoes

Walking through Sutrio during the event means discovering dozens of nativity scenes — especially in wood, but also in various materials — scattered among courtyards, small squares, and windowsills, the result of the skill of local artisans. Two masterpieces stand out: the large nativity scene in Piazza San Pietro, with life-size cedar statues and a wooden grotto over five meters high, and the famous Presepio di Teno, a creation by master Gaudenzio Straulino, animated by secret gears that move figures and lights.

Videomapping, Via del Natale, and living nativity scene

In the evening, the facades of the buildings light up with videomapping, luminous projections that recall past years' nativity scenes like a "family album" of the village. Along the Via del Natale, artisan workshops open their doors, and craftsmanship becomes storytelling. The most exciting moment is the living nativity scene on January 5th, when actors and local extras represent the Nativity and the arrival of the Magi through the village streets. Borghi e Presepi is an invitation to experience Christmas authentically, immersed in the atmosphere of Carnia's porticoes and courtyards.