Manarola Nativity Scene (Presepe di Manarola)
Every December the terraced hillside above Manarola transforms into the world's largest living nativity scene, a UNESCO-recognised tradition of over 10,000 hand-crafted figurines and 15,000 LED lights that has been running since 1961. Even outside the Christmas season the metal-frame silhouettes remain visible on the terraces, hinting at the spectacle to come.
The History Behind the Lights
The presepe was the life's work of Mario Andreoli, a retired electrical worker who began installing figures on the terraces below his family's land and kept expanding for four decades until the display covered the entire hillside visible from the sea.
After Andreoli's death in 2018 the local association Manarola Presepe took over, maintaining the tradition and adding new scenes each year. The project is entirely volunteer-run and funded by donations.
Visiting During the Season
The lights are switched on each year on 8 December (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) and stay illuminated through early February. The best viewing point is from the harbour breakwater or the Via dell'Amore start, where the entire hillside is visible at once.
Crowds peak on weekends in December; arrive on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening for a more contemplative experience. The village bars stay open late and the smell of roasting chestnuts fills the lanes.
Off-Season Interest
Even in summer the metal armatures of the larger figures — the star, the angels, the wise men — are clearly visible on the terraces and give the hillside an intriguing, slightly surreal character.
Ask at the Pro Loco tourist office on Via Discovolo for the short printed guide that maps all the scenes and explains the symbolism of each tableau.
More of Manarola
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Manarola →
