Italian ‘presepi’, or nativity cribs, may be of three main types.

First, are the various displays of nativity scenes laid out as an exhibition or as an itinerary. In our ‘Valle dei presepi’ there are two especially beautiful examples.

There are the highly creative and inventive ones at Pieve Fosciana, in the upper Serchio valley, which I’ve described at:

https://longoio3.com/2018/01/09/pieve-fosciana-the-land-of-presepi-christmas-cribs/

There’s also the Montefegatesi crib itinerary which I visited last week and which I described at:

https://longoio3.com/2018/12/10/christnas-cribs-here-there-and-everywhere/

Second, are the ‘presepi viventi’  (living cribs) where people re-enact the nativity scene with traditional arts and crafts surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ,  and the arrival of the Three Wise Men.

I’ve described this type of presepe’ in various posts, the latest of which is at:

https://longoio3.com/2018/12/03/a-living-christmas-in-the-appenines/

https://longoio3.com/2018/01/10/living-cribs-at-a-home/

We have taken part in one of the best at Equi Terme several times. To see us dressed up as Roman governors, Wise men etc. do read the posts at:

https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/of-cribs-and-choirs/

https://longoio.wordpress.com/2013/09/20/midsummer-nights-nighmare/

Third, are those nativity scenes which particularly intrigue me: large-scale mechanical cribs where the figurines move and there are waterfalls, mill wheels turning, saws cutting and olive picking.

I first saw this kind of nativity scene as a small child at the church of san Camillo in Milan. (San Camillo is, incidentally, a fine example of fin-de-siècle eclectic gothicky architecture. I’ve described it at https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2015/09/04/milans-san-camillo/  )

A very fine example of a mechanical Christmas crib is near us at the start of the road that leads to Gioviano at Pian di Gioviano in the comune of Borgo a Mozzano. It is among the most beautiful in the whole province of Lucca and has its origin twenty five years ago, the brain-wave of a couple engaged to be married. Sadly, Manuela Motroni lost her life in 1999 in a traffic accident and the creation of the crib is also a way of remembering her who died so sadly young.

Manuela’s brother Manuel with Angelo Cipriani and other volunteers have continued to re-create the crib every year. As you’ll see from my video below a lot of love and time has gone into making this delightful nativity scene. It’s also interesting to note that many of the movements are propelled by water power.

Trust you’ll enjoy my video of this enchanting nativity scene!