Living Nativity of Castanea delle Furie

One of Sicily's most beloved living nativity scenes

The Living Nativity of Castanea delle Furie is one of the longest-running and most cherished Christmas events in the province of Messina. For over twenty-five years, every Christmas, the hillside village of Castanea delle Furie — nestled in the San Rizzo hills at the gateway to the city of the Strait — transforms into a grand village of ancient Bethlehem. The event takes place in the park of Villa Arrigo (formerly Costarelli), a green space spanning several thousand square meters that serves as a natural stage for the re-enactment.

Over 350 actors and the trades of two thousand years ago

The heart of the event lies in the more than 350 actors in historical costumes who, with great community involvement, bring scenes of daily life from two thousand years ago to life. Along the winding paths, visitors encounter artisan workshops and domestic settings where ancient trades are revived: bread and fresh pasta making, basket weaving, and the traditional dances and gestures of rural life. The visitor's journey concludes before the Nativity hut, featuring the Holy Family.

A tradition of the Municipality of Messina

Organized by the Giovanna d'Arco Tourist and Cultural Association, the living nativity is one of the most defining events of the Messina Christmas season. The festival spontaneously involves hundreds of the village's residents, guardians of a tradition passed down through generations that attracts numerous visitors every year from across Sicily and the metropolitan city of Messina.

Atmosphere and setting

• Set in the historic park of Villa Arrigo, surrounded by the greenery of the San Rizzo hills
• Faithful reconstruction of workshops, antique tools, and period furnishings
• Free admission, with voluntary donations to support the organization
• One of the most popular Nativity representations in the Messina area

For those visiting Messina and its surroundings during the holidays, the Castanea nativity is an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the province and experience the Sicilian Christmas in its most popular and communal dimension.