Maerne Paese dei Presepi

The town dressed in nativity scenes

In Maerne di Martellago, in the province of Venice, Christmas has a precise identity: that of the nativity scenes. The exhibition Maerne Paese dei Presepi, organised by Pro Loco Martellago, gathers dozens of representations of the Nativity each year — artistic, artisan, and miniature — displayed in the Civic Library and in various spaces in the town centre, so much so that the town has gained increasing recognition over the years among the Christmas destinations in the Veneto region.

From the library to the living nativity scene

The exhibition is the focal point of a widespread Christmas programme. Alongside the exhibition, the calendar includes the living nativity scene set along the Marzenego river, the Christmas Market, and the Epiphany Festival on January 6th. It is an intertwining of folk art, faith, and tradition that transforms Maerne into a small Christmas itinerary to be explored on foot.

A community Christmas

The initiative, the result of the work of Pro Loco volunteers, is open every holiday and eve of holiday during the period. More than just an exhibition, Maerne Paese dei Presepi is an event that tells the story of the community's identity and its ability to liven up the town centre during the coldest months of the year, with particular attention to families and children.