When thinking about Christmas events, snow always comes to mind, making it unusual to imagine a living nativity scene near the sea. Yet, Montenero di Bisaccia, overlooking the Adriatic Sea, hosts one of the largest and longest-running living nativity scenes in Molise.
The natural location where the event takes place makes the event even more evocative: the town is located on a rock formation characterized by Neolithic sandstone caves, shaped millions of years ago.
These caves, dating back to 10,000 BC, are a complex of sandstone caves that bear witness to the history of the area. Located on the south-east side of the hill, in via Giuseppe Garibaldi, in the Valle delle Torri, they have been inhabited since the Middle Paleolithic. A perfect environment to recreate the atmosphere of Bethlehem two thousand years ago.
The first edition of the nativity scene dates back to 1984 and since then the event has grown, becoming more refined year after year. Today it is one of the largest and most cared for in the region. The route winds through alleys and caves, where artisan workshops, scenes of peasant life and markets of the time are reconstructed. The last stop, the Nativity, is set up in one of the largest caves, giving visitors an immersive and evocative experience.
The event takes place between Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Epiphany, with exact dates and details available on the portal of the Pro Loco Frentana di Montenero di Bisaccia.