Italy is famous for her Nativity scenes, or presepi, and Tuscany, in particular, has quite a long and rich tradition of exhibiting some very impressive examples. Many different towns have presepi, sometimes with live animals and actors, sometimes on a large scale, sometimes innovative, sometimes historic and traditional, and sometimes as part of an exhibition of multiple examples. In fact, last year, we wrote a whole guide to the different presepe traditions in Tuscany. However, one town with one of the most beloved and famous of these traditions in recent years has to be Castelfiorentino. If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and love Christmas, this magical little Tuscan festive tradition might be your cup of tea.
In its 10th edition this year, the “La Via dei Presepi a Castelfiorentino” (or Road of Presepi in Castelfiorentino) is a large-scale celebration of the tradition of presepi that sees around 60 nativity scenes of various styles, kinds and sizes set up in around 50 spots along a route through the lovely streets of the historic centre of Castelfiorentino up to the Paese Alto quarter of town. In addition to the rather famous and partially renovated, monumental “presepe meteorologico” (a large-scale special nativity scene that mimics different meteorological phenomena like fog, twinkling starlight etc at different times of the day), there are lots of different types of nativity scenes to browse, all of which are of considerable artistic merit.
Walking along the route is a lovely way to spend a winter's day around Christmas, acting like a large festive museum. Just grab a coffee or a cocoa to warm your hands with, put on a coat and come and wander and admire the incredible craftsmanship in this lovely Tuscan town.
Opening on the 8th of December and running into the first week of January.
Closed on the 31st of December.
For more information:
prolocodicastelfiorentino@gmail.com
Walking along the route is a lovely way to spend a winter's day around Christmas, acting like a large festive museum. Just grab a coffee or a cocoa to warm your hands with, put on a coat and come and wander and admire the incredible craftsmanship in this lovely Tuscan town.
Opening on the 8th of December and running into the first week of January.
Closed on the 31st of December.
For more information:
prolocodicastelfiorentino@gmail.com
