His fame has reached the most remote corners of the planet, Greccio, where San Francesco made the first Living Nativity Scene in the world. Greccio is among the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Piazza Roma
It is said that Greccio was founded by a Greek colony exiled from its homeland. The site was chosen because it was beautiful and for its defensible position at 750 meters above sea level. The name was originally Grecia, it is said, and then became Grece, Grecce and finally Greccio.
Grotta sul monte Lacerone
In 1223, with the help of Giovanni Velita, the cave on Mount Lacerone, where San Francesco lived, was chosen, so similar to the one in Bethlehem. A manger with an ox and a donkey was built there. According to the hagiographies, during the Mass a child appeared in the manger which Francesco held in his arms.
Presepe Vivente di Greccio
The desire of Saint Francis of Assisi to spread the emotion of the Nativity in poverty throughout Italy brought to life the first Living Nativity Scene in 1223 in Greccio. So, since 1972, at Christmas, that atmosphere has been relived in the historical re-enactment of the Greccio nativity scene.
Panorama
The medieval village was already mentioned in the 11th century documents and preserves the typical structure of the fortified ‘castrum’, surrounded by walls and towers. The remains of the 11th century castle still stand, partly retaining the original flooring and three of the six towers of the medieval walls. The village is dominated by the Collegiate Church of San Michele Arcangelo, with paintings and frescoes from the sixteenth century and the curious bell tower detached from the church, rebuilt on the remains of the largest of the surrounding towers.
Greccio, Italy. hermitage shrine erected by St. Francis of Assisi in the Sacred Valley
Surrounded by oak and holm oak forests and springs, Greccio is immersed in a very impressive panorama. The 20-kilometre trail network allows you to climb the mountain in total safety. Through a path you reach the Chapel at 1200 meters above sea level, the first refuge of San Francesco upon his arrival in Greccio in 1209. The church is evocative and the view over the Valle Santa reatina is beautiful! The Sanctuary is a powerful architectural complex that seems to rise from the bare rock.
The Cammino di San Francesco is a route of religious and naturalistic interest that covers the path of the Saint. Its overall length is 500 km. There are four sanctuaries that are part of the original itinerary, ideally arranged at the four ends of a mystical cross: Fontecolombo, Greccio, Poggio Bustone and La Foresta. The visit of the Saint was on October 4th, with the passage of the “tambourine” which recalls the “good morning good people” wished by the Saint to all the inhabitants. Furthermore, on Easter Monday there is a celebration with the procession and stop at the Franciscan hermitage, and on 2 August celebrations of the Feast of Forgiveness.
Among the many natural beauties, in Greccio there are various water sources. The mineral water of Fonte Lupetta or Fonte del Lupetto is famous for its purity and lightness, flows from the rocks of Monte Peschio.
Greccio RI foto di Valentino Ligori @ www.comune.greccio.ri.it
For an unforgettable cycle-tourist tour, take the Conca Reatina cycle path. The route can be travelled both clockwise and anti-clockwise over its 22 km. Starting from the centre of Rieti, it crosses the hamlet of Chiesa Nuova, the municipalities of Greccio and Contigliano and ends by passing the Velino river and the Terria railway station.