Presepio

In December, people in our village began making beautiful Christmas decorations and "Presepe" - nativity scenes.  Families often made their own manger scene and placed it on their window sill or tucked it into an alcove in their yard or by their front gate.  Someone (the town council? little old ladies out of their own love for their village and the Season?) put up decorative stars along buildings and walls and lovely pine bough and heart decorations throughout town, including one on the side of our own house.  We were enchanted with the transformation of the town and added our own "Presepio" on our window sill.    

Our Presepio, nativity from Germany

Our neighbors put up this gorgeous scene, with a painting for the backdrop and a real branch for a tree and shepherd figures with their sheep in the foreground.  It was absolutely beautiful - the pictures don't do it justice.  

Tante Auguri - 'many greetings'

We heard about another village in the nearby area that is famous for all the Presepe that they tuck into every nook and cranny and space possible.  Since we enjoyed the ones in our own village so much, we went to explore the town of Poffabro one evening.  It was so much fun following the signs like this one: 

We meandered around this mountain village's winding, narrow streets, looking for the next sign to indicate another magnificent, elaborate manger scene.  Entire villages were depicted in these scenes, some of them with lit up "fires," running water, and other moving parts.  It was incredible!  

This one had an actual rocking cradle for the baby Jesus!  

look at the gorgeous clouds and dripping snow.

I liked this cute handmade one....

...because of the vegetable patch! :)  

this one had a "real" lit-up burning fire

the detail in these creations was truly exquisite.

Though there were a few very strange scenes (Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus "under the sea" - I couldn't even bring myself to take a picture of that one.  Yes, Mary was a mermaid, if you must know.), there were also some clever, cute ones... most of these were contributed by the local businesses: 

the medical clinic's 'modern' hospital room :)  check out the MRI machine and the cow! 

the fire department, trying to reach the cast-out Holy parents on the top floor of a burning building . Ha! 

And my personal favorite, the local sporting goods store's display.  Paul didn't believe me that this one was in fact a nativity at first - very clever.  ;)  

As you can see, Vivian and Clara enjoyed it as much as we did.  Even though it was a cold evening, running through the streets and corridors kept them warm.  

Buone Feste - happy holidays - we are enjoying our's in Italy very much!