Living Nativity in the Ancient Village of Case Trezza
The Neapolitan nativity scene comes to life in the alleys of Sant'Anna all'Oliveto, in Cava de' Tirreni
About Case Trezza Living Nativity
An open-air nativity scene in the alleys of Case Trezza
From St. Stephen's Day to Epiphany, the ancient village of Case Trezza, in the Sant'Anna all'Oliveto district of Cava de' Tirreni, transforms into a grand living nativity scene. Stone houses, courtyards, external staircases, and narrow alleys become the natural backdrop for a performance that involves the entire local community and has become one of the most anticipated Christmas events in the province of Salerno, Campania.
A two-part journey
The visit follows an itinerary through the village divided into two distinct sections. The first retraces the Nativity according to the Holy Scriptures, featuring living tableaux of the Annunciation, the Magnificat, Herod's court, and the arrival of the Magi. The second is dedicated to the Neapolitan nativity scene of the 18th-century tradition: workshops and ancient trades come to life one after another, from the cobbler to the blacksmith, the potter to the weaver, the butcher to the fishmonger, leading up to the manger scene with the ox and donkey warming the Baby Jesus.
Around 150 performers, an entire community
The scenes are brought to life by about 150 performers, mostly residents of Sant'Anna and neighboring areas, joined in recent years by guests from local social inclusion projects. The nativity scene is not just a show; it is a collective effort that occupies the neighborhood for weeks, involving set design, costume making, and rehearsals. This participatory dimension is what makes the event so unique among the living nativity scenes in Campania.
Guided tour
Visitors do not wander through the village freely: they are welcomed in small groups and entrusted to a guide who accompanies them along the path, explaining the meaning of the scenes and the various characters according to Neapolitan tradition. This choice slows down the pace of the visits but makes the experience much more meaningful, especially for those unfamiliar with the symbolism of the Neapolitan nativity and its traditional crafts.
Local products and refreshment area
Along the route, an exhibition area is set up for local products, accompanied by a small refreshment point where you can taste specialties of Cava and Campanian cuisine. It is a perfect stop to complete the visit and support the small-scale production of the Metellian territory.
Organizers
The event is promoted and organized by the Comitato Amici del Presepe (Friends of the Nativity Committee) together with the Sant'Anna all'Oliveto Parish, with the patronage of the Municipality of Cava de' Tirreni, the Province of Salerno, and the Campania Region. After a hiatus during the pandemic years, the nativity scene returned to animate the village in December 2022 and has grown with each edition.
Quick info
- Where: Ancient village of Case Trezza, via A. Vitale, Sant'Anna all'Oliveto district, Cava de' Tirreni (SA)
- When: Several evenings between December 26th and mid-January
- Hours: From approximately 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Admission: Free
- Suitable for: Families and children
Case Trezza Living Nativity — edition 2026
The 19th edition
For the 2025-2026 edition, the Comitato Amici del Presepe and the Sant'Anna all'Oliveto Parish brought back the grand living nativity of Case Trezza over seven evenings, spread between the end of December and the first ten days of January. The opening took place on December 26, 2025, St. Stephen's Day, and concluded on Saturday, January 10, 2026, following the highly anticipated Epiphany event.
How the visit took place
Every evening, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, visitors were welcomed at the entrance of the village and divided into small groups, each entrusted to a guide who led the tour while explaining the meaning of the scenes. The first part of the itinerary retraced the Nativity according to the Holy Scriptures; the second featured the Neapolitan nativity scene with traditional workshops and crafts. There was also an exhibition area for local products, with a small refreshment point.
Admission
As per the event's tradition, admission was free for all evenings, designed especially for families from the Municipality of Cava de' Tirreni and the entire province of Salerno.
Programme Case Trezza Living Nativity 2026
Seven opening evenings, always from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM:
- Friday, December 26, 2025
- Saturday, December 27, 2025
- Thursday, January 1, 2026
- Saturday, January 3, 2026
- Sunday, January 4, 2026
- Tuesday, January 6, 2026 (Epiphany)
- Saturday, January 10, 2026
Each evening featured the same complete route through the village: entry in small groups with a guide, a section dedicated to the Nativity according to the Holy Scriptures, a section for the Neapolitan nativity scene with ancient crafts, the final manger scene, an exhibition area for local products, and a refreshment point.
Highlights Case Trezza Living Nativity 2026
- Around 150 performers from the Sant'Anna all'Oliveto community
- Guided tour in small groups with a narrator explaining each scene
- Section dedicated to the Nativity according to the Holy Scriptures, with the Annunciation, Herod's court, and the Magi
- Section featuring the 18th-century Neapolitan nativity scene with ancient crafts: cobbler, blacksmith, potter, weaver, fishmonger
- Manger scene with the ox and donkey
- Exhibition area for local products with a small refreshment point
- Highlight evening of Epiphany, Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Prices Case Trezza Living Nativity 2026
Practical information — Case Trezza Living Nativity
How to get there
Cava de' Tirreni is located along the A3 Naples-Salerno motorway (Cava de' Tirreni exit) and is served by the Cava de' Tirreni railway station on the Naples-Salerno line. From the city center, you can reach the Sant'Anna all'Oliveto district in a few minutes by car by following the signs for Sant'Anna; the Case Trezza village is located along via A. Vitale.
Parking
A large parking area is available in the area in front of the village. On busier evenings, particularly on holidays and Epiphany, it is advisable to arrive well before the opening time.
Tickets
Admission is free. Visitors are organized into small groups at the start of the path and accompanied by a guide.
Tips
The route is entirely outdoors, on sloping roads and uneven ground: comfortable shoes and appropriate winter clothing are recommended. The visit is particularly suitable for families with children.
Contacts
Comitato Amici del Presepe, tel. +39 347 6132536. Updates and dates on the Facebook page: Presepe Vivente nell'Antico Borgo Case Trezza.
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