The traditional representations of the “presepe” in Piemonte range from nativity scenes of local handcrafts to mechanical Christmas cribs, offering a show of great visual impact. Set up throughout the region starting from the period of the Advent, feature a gallery of over 200 characters depicting traditions and crafts of a community in days gone by. On the way to the Hut of the Holy Family, you can find the anchovy merchant from Maira Valley (in the province of Cuneo) and the ceramics seller from Castellamonte, along with the chimney sweeper from the mountain valleys and the umbrella-maker from Vergante (between hills, mountains and Lake Maggiore) worshipping Baby Jesus. An emblematic figure of popular devotion is Gelindo, the shepherd from Monferrato who, according to Piedmontese tradition, helps Joseph and Mary to find the cave where Jesus would be born and always stands next to the Holy Family in the Nativity Scene. From the beginning of December to the Epiphany, take your time for a lovely tour that takes you right to charming and original cribs, such as the Giant Nativity Scene in Marchetto (Presepe Gigante di Marchetto) featuring over 200 life-size figures scattered throughout the mountain village in the province of Biella. In the Sessera Valley, nestled between Vercelli and Biella, Postua is a small record-breaking village that every year attracts a great number of visitors with the magic atmosphere of over 200 nativity scenes set up by its 500 inhabitants. Lake Maggiore offers the magic show of the Nativity Scenes on the Water (Presepi sull'Acqua), made by the local people and set up in ancient fountains and public wash-houses on the way to Crodo and the surrounding alpine villages. In Cannobio and Verbania Suna, the underwater Nativity Scenes are a very charming attraction, while in Verbania Intra In Cannobio and Verbania Suna, the underwater Nativity Scenes are a very charming attraction, along with the original Nativity Scene made with about 50 tons of sand in Verbania Intra. In Ornavasso (Ossola Valleys), the Nativity Scene in the Santa Claus cave (Presepe della Grotta di Babbo Natale) is spectacular with animated shepherd figures and real snow. In Torino, the Christmas holidays open with a colorful Nativity Scene by Emanuele Luzzati. A joyful Christmas atmosphere also surrounds the Royal Residences: at the Stupinigi Hunting Palace (Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi), “Christmas is magic” with an exciting events calendar and a large mechanical crib, while the Royal Palace of Venaria hosts the King's Nativity Scene (Presepe del Re) and the Castle of Govone (Langhe area) turns every year into a Magical Christmas Village.
Ph. Credits: Presepio storico di Cavallermaggiore (CN)