Collepasso Living Nativity

The Collepasso Living Nativity

Every year during the Christmas season, the small town of Collepasso, located in the province of Lecce in the heart of lower Salento, brings one of the most evocative living nativity scenes in the region to life. The performance takes place in contrada San Sumà, along the SP361 provincial road connecting Collepasso to Maglie, within the ancient Masseria Quagliasiero, a rural estate dating back to 1692. The walls, courtyards, and rooms of the farmhouse become the natural backdrop for a journey back in time, which visitors explore on foot, guided from one scene to the next.

A journey into the Salento of the past

Around one hundred actors in period costumes animate the scene, bringing to life numerous tableaux that recreate the Nativity alongside the daily life of the Salento farming world of yesteryear. You will walk through workshops of ancient crafts, corners of domestic life, scenes of field work, and small courtyards illuminated by fire, in an atmosphere filled with the sounds, scents, and gestures of a bygone era. It is not just something to watch: it is an experience to walk through, listen to, and live with all your senses, designed for both adults and children.

The flavors of Salento tradition

Along the path, there is no shortage of tastings of local products prepared on-site: pittule, fresh pasta, bruschetta, cheeses, grilled meats and peppers, seasoned bread, and local wine accompany the visit and complete the immersion into the simple, genuine cuisine of Salento. The scent of bread and wood-fired dishes is an integral part of the nativity's atmosphere.

The Magi procession and artistic nativity scenes

The most anticipated moment is Epiphany Day, January 6th, when a procession of the Three Wise Men on horseback reaches the Nativity scene, often departing from the Baronial Castle in the historic center. During the same weeks in Collepasso, the local Pro Loco also organizes the Exhibition of Artistic Nativity Scenes in the rooms of the Baronial Castle, featuring dozens of works in the Salento style: another great reason to combine your visit to the living nativity with a stroll through the town.

A local community event

The event, which offers free admission, is the result of the joint efforts of local associations—in recent years the Milan Club and Gli Amici di Collepasso—with the support of the Municipality of Collepasso. Over the years, it has become a staple of the Salento Christmas season, attracting visitors from across the province of Lecce and Puglia who choose Masseria Quagliasiero to rediscover the most authentic and communal spirit of Christmas past.