The medieval village of Greccio is one of Italy’s most beautiful but least known villages. Perched on the hillside of the province of Rieti, about 80 kilometers north of Rome, it is inhabited by 1,500 inhabitants, while during the festive season it welcomes thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Dating back to the Middle Ages, Gretzio was founded by Greeks who built a city with defensive walls and a castle – remains of which are still visible.

In this small village, Saint Francis of Assisi who is said to have been able to communicate with animals, built the world’s first manger, inside a cave in 2023.

Every year, as presented in a BBC report, more than 100,000 pilgrims and tourists flock to admire the scene Birth.

The Birth of Jesus cit is celebrated here all year round, however this year is the 800th anniversary since the first scene from Saint Francis and Gretzio was created is preparing for an extra special Christmas show and more pilgrims than ever before.

The story of the first manger

On December 24, 1223, St. Francis, organized a midnight service that included a re-enactment of the Nativity, with villagers playing the roles of Mary and Joseph and a doll as Jesus. St. Francis even brought an ox and a donkey to complement the image of Jesus being born in a barn. The aim was to educate and inspire the villagers of Greccio to celebrate Christmas – not just as a historical event, but as something real they could imagine and believe.

This first nativity scene was a hit among the villagers of Greccio, and St. Francis began an annual tradition that was then spread throughout the world by missionaries and pilgrims.

The recognition of Greccio as the origin of the nativity scene led the city to be referred to as the “Franciscan Bethlehem” among the faithful.

In its 800th year, Greccio will once again celebrate Christmas with a live re-enactment of the nativity scene as a reminder of the legacy that Saint Francis left in this small town.