Greccio

The town of Greccio is a peaceful monastery in a spectacular position on the slopes of Mount Lacerone with views stretching across the green plain below to the peaks of Mount Terminillo. It was here in December, 1223, that Saint Francis of Assisi, along with the local noblemen, enacted the first live nativity scene. The tradition has continued ever since the 12th century and each year at Christmas people flock from all over Italy to see this traditional event in which a cast of a hundred people participate dressed in splendid costumes: the convent is open 9:30am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm