Perhaps my favourite presepe is the one built by Egidio Illidi and formerly on show during the Christmas season at the church of San Cassiano di Controni, a village near us.

It is now housed in a room of the Villa Webb, also known as the palazzo Bonvisi, in the old part of Bagni di Lucca near the Terme alla Villa.

What I love about Egidio’s presepe is that it is set in a Palestinian environment. Palm trees, sand, dunes, Bedouins, camels and characteristic eastern houses with their latticed wooden balconies are featured in this lovely presepe. Furthermore, surrounding it are original camel saddle bags made of old carpets, a characteristic coffee table and a shisha.

Haunting Middle Eastern music is heard and all that is missing are some seductive belly-dancers. I was told that requests had been sent out for local volunteers but, unfortunately, without success.

However, the presepe (which had to be divided in half and carried down by tractor trailers) is stunning even without the piquancy of oriental dancers. It is truly a magnificent labour of love and devotion on Egidio’s part and the Villa Webb is most lucky to have it now.