Presepi nel Borgo (Nemi Nativity Scene Art Exhibition)

A nativity scene that tells the story of the village

Presepi nel Borgo is the historic Christmas event in the town of Nemi, in the province of Rome, Lazio. Established in the mid-nineties and reaching its 31st edition in 2025-2026, the exhibition guides visitors from the Feast of the Immaculate Conception until early February along a path that weaves together nativity art, popular devotion, and landscape. Nemi, one of the smallest and most photographed villages in the Castelli Romani, offers a rare setting during this season: houses clinging to the ridge, the volcanic lake below, and, inside the noble halls, dozens of handmade nativities.

Palazzo Ruspoli and the Nativity Scene Art Exhibition

The heart of the event is the Sala d'Armi of Palazzo Ruspoli, the castle that dominates the town's main square and hosts the Nativity Scene Art Exhibition, now in its seventh year. Here, large-scale nativity scenes in the traditional style are displayed: sets featuring houses, workshops, fountains, and moving figures, built in the preceding months by local amateur artisans. The theme changes every year. In the 2025-2026 edition, inspiration was drawn from the watercolors of Roma sparita (Vanished Rome) by Ettore Roesler Franz, specifically the Jewish Ghetto with the Portico d'Ottavia: in the foreground, a tavern, a fountain, and a market; behind them, a rotating structure revealing four small squares dedicated to the Annunciation, the Search for Lodging, the Nativity, and the Adoration of the Magi.

The scenic nativity scene of Santa Maria del Pozzo

The exhibition is complemented by the scenic nativity scene set up in the parish church of Santa Maria del Pozzo, with the Church of the Santissimo Crocifisso also participating in some editions. The creation is entrusted to the nativity section of the Confraternita del SS. Sacramento, which works with the Amici del Presepe di Nemi group under the patronage of the Municipality: a voluntary and community effort that has become part of the town's identity.

Part of the L'Arte del Presepe nei Borghi network

Since 2023, Nemi has participated in the inter-municipal itinerary L'Arte del Presepe nei Borghi, which reached its third edition in 2025-2026. The network brings together eight towns between the Castelli Romani and the Monti Prenestini — Albano Laziale, Artena, Carpineto Romano, Cave, Monte Porzio Catone, Nemi, Palestrina, and Valmontone — offering a widespread exhibition of traditional and contemporary nativity scenes in the historic centers. The route is free and designed as a true journey of discovery through the villages of Lazio, perfect for a multi-day trip.

Christmas in Nemi

During the same period, the village offers its own Christmas program, featuring over a hundred fairy-tale themed lighting and scenic installations, exhibitions, concerts, and the traditional descent of the Befana from the castle for children. Everything is free to enter. Gastronomy is also a highlight: the wild strawberries, Nemi's signature product, and the cuisine of the Castelli Romani accompany your visit to the local establishments in the center.

When to go

• Opening: Traditionally December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, with an inauguration in the morning.
• Closing: Between mid-January and early February, depending on the edition.
• Best time: Sunday mornings, when opening hours are longer and the village is lively but not yet crowded.

For those visiting the Castelli Romani during the holidays, Presepi nel Borgo is a stop that combines craftsmanship, religious tradition, and one of the most beautiful panoramas in the province of Rome within just a few hundred meters.