Nativity Scenes in Cis

A village that becomes a nativity scene

In Cis, a tiny municipality of just over three hundred inhabitants perched at 732 meters in Val di Non, the Christmas season has a ritual all its own. During Advent and until Epiphany, local families set up their nativity scenes along the streets, under the arcades, in courtyards, and in the most picturesque corners of the historic center, creating a true open-air exhibition. It is not an exhibition confined to a hall, but a path that invites you to stroll among the frescoed houses of the village, where each nativity scene reflects the sensitivity and imagination of its creator.

The map and the favorite nativity scene

The heart of the initiative is its participatory nature. Upon arrival, visitors receive a map indicating the location of the nativity scenes scattered throughout the village: the invitation is to find them all, one by one, and choose your favorite at the end. This nativity hunt makes the experience suitable for families with children and turns a simple visit into a slow, curious game of discovery, marked by the quiet rhythm of the mountain village.

A community tradition

The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Cis and is one of the most cherished local winter appointments. Cis thus joins the rich tradition of nativity scenes in Trentino, where numerous villages in Val di Non and the surrounding valleys enliven Christmas with artisanal nativities, markets, and widespread displays. Here, however, everything retains a deliberately intimate and familiar scale: the inhabitants themselves make their village the setting, in a collective gesture that strengthens community bonds.

Cis and Val di Non

The municipality of Cis, in the autonomous province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige), stands on a plateau overlooking the Barnés and Noce streams, on the edge between Val di Non and Val di Sole. The village is known for the sacred frescoes that decorate the facades of some houses and for the Church of San Giorgio Martire, of medieval origin, as well as for the apple orchards that characterize the entire valley. Visiting the nativity exhibition also means discovering an authentic corner of Trentino, far from the major tourist flows, where Christmas retains an ancient flavor.

How to enjoy your visit

• Pick up the map of the nativity scenes at the start of the route and follow the itinerary through the village streets.
• Allow yourself a slow stroll: the nativity scenes are hidden even in the least obvious corners of the village.
• At the end, cast your vote for the most beautiful nativity scene.
• Combine your visit with a discovery of the frescoed historic center and the Church of San Giorgio.