Tarquinia Living Nativity
The Nativity comes to life amidst medieval cloisters and walls in the heart of Tarquinia's Christmas
About Tarquinia Living Nativity
A living nativity in the heart of the Etruscan city
Tarquinia, in the province of Viterbo, is world-renowned for its Etruscan necropolises, but its medieval historic center—a maze of towers, narrow alleys, and Romanesque churches—is an equally extraordinary setting. It is here that every year, during the Christmas season, the Tarquinia Living Nativity comes to life: a re-enactment of the Nativity featuring costumed performers that leads visitors along a path of daily life scenes, ancient crafts, and period settings, culminating at the Holy Family's manger.
From the San Martino district to the Benedictine monastery
The event was born and grew in the medieval San Martino district, where for many years the route wound through Piazza San Martino, Via della Ripa, Vicolo del Poggio, Via degli Archi, and Via dell'Archetto. Some editions moved toward San Francesco and Santa Maria in Castello before returning to San Martino for Christmas 2024. The 2025-2026 edition marked a historic turning point: for the first time, the performance was held within the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Lucia, a complex of great historical, artistic, and religious value that houses the community of the Benedictine Nuns of the Blessed Sacrament and is not normally accessible to the public. The debut was a success: over 1,600 visitors on December 26th alone.
The scenes and the arrival of the Three Wise Men
Between the monastery's cloister and courtyard, the public encounters scenes of daily life and ancient craft workshops in an immersive experience that blends spirituality, history, and popular participation. In the editions hosted in San Martino, the route included the Roman camp, the prisons, the mill, the market, the dye works, and King Herod's court, complete with falconers and fire jugglers. The highlight is Epiphany: on January 6th, the Three Wise Men arrive on camelback, with a procession that starts from Piazza Cavour and winds through Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, and Via Lunga up to the entrance of the nativity scene.
Christmas in Tarquinia: a month of events
The living nativity is the centerpiece of a broader Christmas program promoted by the Municipality of Tarquinia with the patronage of the Lazio Region, created in collaboration with local associations (Pro Loco Tarquinia, Divini Commercianti, Viva Tarquinia). From the lighting of the Christmas decorations to Epiphany, the schedule is packed with the Christmas Parade, concerts by the "Giacomo Setaccioli" town band and choirs, markets, children's workshops, the Santa Claus run, the Christmas tombola at the "Rossella Falk" theater, and finally, the spectacular descent of the Befana by the Fire Brigade from the town hall tower. Over the years, the program has also included markets in Piazza Matteotti, the Christmas train, and Santa's House.
Why visit
- One of the most evocative living nativities in Lazio, set in authentic medieval scenery
- A unique opportunity to visit the Benedictine monastery, usually closed to the public
- The procession of the Three Wise Men on camelback for Epiphany
- A full month of Christmas events in the historic center, ideal for families
- The chance to combine your visit with the Etruscan necropolises and the National Archaeological Museum
Tarquinia Living Nativity — edition 2026
The living nativity debuts at the Benedictine monastery
After weeks of uncertainty regarding its realization, the 2025-2026 edition of the Tarquinia Living Nativity took on a new format: the re-enactment left the San Martino district to arrive, for the first time, at the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Lucia, home to the community of the Benedictine Nuns of the Blessed Sacrament. A place rich in history, art, and spirituality, generally not accessible to the public, which offered its cloister and courtyard as a natural stage. The event was organized by the Associazione Presepe Vivente Città di Tarquinia and the Municipality of Tarquinia, with the patronage of the Lazio Region, the Province of Viterbo, and the Diocese of Civitavecchia-Tarquinia.
The debut on December 26 was a success beyond expectations, with over 1,600 visitors in a single afternoon. The closing on January 6 featured the arrival of the Three Wise Men on camelback: the procession started at 4:30 PM from Piazza Cavour and crossed Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, and Via Lunga up to the entrance of the monastery, where from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM the re-enactment guided the public through scenes of daily life, ancient crafts, and costumed performers.
Programme Tarquinia Living Nativity 2026
Living Nativity
- Friday, December 26, 2025, 5:00 PM-7:00 PM — first performance at the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Lucia (entrance from Porta Maddalena, Via Umberto I): immersive route through the cloister and courtyard with scenes of daily life, ancient crafts, and costumed performers. Over 1,600 visitors.
- Tuesday, January 6, 2026 — 4:30 PM: procession of the Three Wise Men on camelback from Piazza Cavour, along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, and Via Lunga; 5:00 PM-7:00 PM: final performance at the monastery.
Christmas in Tarquinia 2025 (main events)
- December 7-8 — opening of the festivities: passing of the Olympic Flame, Christmas Parade, lighting of the decorations, inauguration of "Tarquinia deliziosa - The Chocolate Factory"
- December 13 — luminous funfair in Piazza Cavour (5 PM-7 PM)
- December 14 — "The Apocalypse" with Valerio Aprea at the "Rossella Falk" theater (6 PM)
- December 20 — Christmas concert by the "Giacomo Setaccioli" band
- December 21 — children's show "Like the Ugly Duckling" (5 PM) and Santa Claus run
- December 23 — Christmas Parade (5 PM)
- December 27 — "Willy Wonka" treasure hunt, Christmas tombola, and gospel concert
- January 2-4 — Etruria Musica Festival Winter Edition in the council chamber (6 PM)
- January 6 — "Run for the Befana" (9:30 AM) and descent of the Befana by the Fire Brigade from the town hall tower (12 PM)
Highlights Tarquinia Living Nativity 2026
- First edition at the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Lucia, a place normally closed to the public
- Over 1,600 visitors on the opening day of December 26
- Procession of the Three Wise Men on camelback for Epiphany, from Piazza Cavour to the monastery
- Scenes of daily life and ancient crafts with costumed performers
- A month of Christmas events in the city, from the Christmas Parade to the descent of the Befana
Prices Tarquinia Living Nativity 2026
Practical information — Tarquinia Living Nativity
How to get there
Tarquinia is located in northern Lazio, about 90 km from Rome. By car: A12 Rome-Civitavecchia motorway, exit Tarquinia, then SS1 Aurelia. By train: Tarquinia station on the Rome-Pisa line, with local buses to the historic center (the station is about 3 km from the town).
Opening hours and access
The living nativity re-enactment generally takes place from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on December 26th and January 6th. In the 2025-2026 edition, access to the Benedictine monastery was via Porta Maddalena, on Via Umberto I, along the medieval walls.
Information
Municipality of Tarquinia, tel. +39 0766 849282. Updates on the "Presepe Vivente di Tarquinia" Facebook page and the official municipal channels.
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Where does it take place — Tarquinia Living Nativity
Monastero di Santa Lucia delle Benedettine e centro storico
Via Umberto I (ingresso da Porta Maddalena), 01016 Tarquinia