The Open-Air Nativity Village

A village that becomes a nativity scene

The Open-Air Nativity Village is the Christmas event through which Ortona dei Marsi, a small mountain town in the Marsica region of the province of L'Aquila, welcomes visitors during the holidays. Every year, the streets of the historic center turn into an evocative trail where art, tradition, and Christmas spirit accompany those wandering through the village. Every alley, square, or corner of the town hosts a nativity scene, crafted with natural materials, artisanal elements, and interpretations of the Nativity ranging from the classic to the highly original.

The Pro Loco tradition

The initiative stems from the creativity of the inhabitants and the collaboration of the Pro Loco Ortona dei Marsi APS, which invites citizens every year to build a nativity scene to be displayed throughout the town and its hamlets. Participants contact the Pro Loco directly, which collects entries, prepares a map of the displays, and promotes the event. This is how the town earned its nickname: in some years, over fifty works have been counted, often built with recycled materials, kitchen utensils, and domestic ingenuity, transforming the entire settlement into a true open-air museum filled with figurines and small lights.

The charm of the Marsican village

The charm of the trail is enhanced by the village itself: Ortona dei Marsi preserves an urban fabric of ancient stone, featuring characteristic ruve, the narrow, steep streets typical of Abruzzo mountain towns. Immersed in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, at an altitude of about one thousand meters, the town offers an intimate and cozy setting where soft lights and nativity scenes scattered along the path create an immersive experience, allowing visitors to rediscover the most authentic face of the Abruzzo Region's Christmas tradition.

A widespread and free itinerary

The visit is free and open to all: the nativity scenes remain on display from Christmas Day until Epiphany, allowing them to be admired throughout the holiday period. There is no single place to reach, but rather a widespread itinerary to be explored on foot between the main town and its hamlets, stop by stop, discovering the different interpretations of the Nativity. It is an opportunity to visit a lesser-known corner of the Marsica region and experience Christmas in an authentic, communal dimension.

A community event

More than just an exhibition, The Nativity Village is a collective project involving entire families of the Municipality of Ortona dei Marsi: it is the residents who give shape to the event, each contributing with their own work. This popular participation is the heart of the festival and makes it one of the most cherished Christmas appointments in the Marsica territory.