The Village Becomes a Nativity Scene

The 25th edition

On December 14, 2025, Piazza Regina Elena hosted the inauguration of the twenty-fifth edition of The Village Becomes a Nativity Scene, with the participation of civil and religious authorities from the Rieti territory. The display remained open and accessible until January 6, 2026, the day of Epiphany.

The circular route started from Piazza Nassiria, featuring the Christmas tree donated by the Mountain Community and, inside a cave, a representation of a sheepfold with life-sized shepherds and a sleigh pulled by two reindeer. In Piazza Regina Elena, life-sized structures were built, consisting of two towers between which a stream flows, forming a small waterfall that merges into a pond; next to it, a hut houses the Nativity. The path continued toward the parish church, through historic cellars and scenes dedicated to traditional crafts.

The structures were built by a small group of volunteers who worked every evening from 9 PM to midnight for over two months. Students from the Poggio Bustone nursery and primary schools also participated in the project with music and songs, creating an angel and a lamb with their teachers, which were then placed in the nativity scene.

The route

• Piazza Nassiria — starting point of the loop: Christmas tree from the Mountain Community, cave with sheepfold and life-sized shepherds, sleigh with two reindeer for Santa Claus
• Piazza Regina Elena — site of the December 14, 2025 inauguration: life-sized towers, stream with a small waterfall and pond, Nativity hut
• Towards the parish church — historic cellars in the center with representations of traditional crafts

Key moments of the edition

• December 14, 2025 — inauguration in Piazza Regina Elena with civil and religious authorities
• December 2025 — animation of the initiative by nursery and primary school students with music and songs; creation of a life-sized angel and lamb added to the nativity
• Until January 6, 2026 — display open for free visits

The full program and the route map were published on the "Il Paese Diventa Presepe" Facebook page.

• Twenty-fifth edition, inaugurated on December 14, 2025
• Monumental life-sized papier-mâché nativity scene along a circular route in the historic center
• The two towers of Piazza Regina Elena with a stream, waterfall, and pond
• The cave in Piazza Nassiria with the sheepfold and Santa's sleigh
• Historic cellars dedicated to ancient crafts
• Over two months of evening work by volunteers, largely using recycled materials
• The angel and lamb created by the village school children

How to get there

Poggio Bustone is located about 15 km from Rieti, along the road that climbs the Holy Valley toward Leonessa. By car: from the Grande Raccordo Anulare in Rome, take the Salaria (SS4) to Rieti, then the SS79 heading north. From Rieti, there are connections via suburban bus lines. The reference train station is Rieti.

Hours and admission

The nativity route winds through the public streets of the historic center and can be visited at any time of day; admission is free. The atmosphere is best in the evening, thanks to the carefully designed lighting. A detailed program and map of the route are published on the "Il Paese Diventa Presepe" Facebook page.

Tips

The village is on a slope and the route includes staircases and paved alleys: comfortable shoes and warm clothing are recommended, as evening temperatures in December are quite cold. Those spending more than half a day in the area can combine the visit with the Sanctuary of San Giacomo and the Cave of Revelations, as well as a stop in Greccio, in the valley of the first nativity scene.