Christmas Cribs in Rome / 3.5 hours

Christmas is the deepest felt holiday in Rome. Families get together, grandmas prepare delicious typical dishes and all Catholics celebrate the birth of Jesus creating hand-made mangers and miniature scenes.

Associations of workers, religious orders, groups of friends recreate the nativity of Christ building beautifully decorated cribs ("presepi" in Italian) all around the city, in public squares, houses and churches. Some of them are authentic handcrafted masterpieces and make the atmosphere in Rome special during Xmas time.

Tradition holds that Saint Francis of Assisi created the first nativity scene in 1223 to enhance the worship of Jesus, having been inspired by his recent visit to the Jerusalem and the Holy Land where he had been shown Christ's traditional birthplace.

This unique half-day tour takes you to some of the biggest and most elaborate cribs of Rome. From Piazza del Popolo to St. Peter's Square you will visit the most charming representations of this Catholic tradition.

The most celebrated and fascinating Christmas crib in Rome is hidden away so well that few foreign visitors ever get to see it. The Presepio dei Netturbini, the manger scene belonging to Rome’s municipal sanitation service (that indispensable category of workers formerly known as “dustmen”), is tucked away in an ex-storeroom on a side street near St Peter’s basilica.

This Christmas crib has welcomed illustrious visitors, such as popes Paul VI and John Paul II (who paid a total of 24 visits, right up to the year before his death), the present Pope Benedict XVI, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and a succession of Rome’s mayors and Italian politicians, in a setting that is so humble and unpretentious that anyone not in the know would walk right past.

The tour is suitable to all age groups and families especially with kids. You will also walk by the most famous monuments of Rome: you will fully enjoy their history and value with our excellent licensed local guide.

What makes this tour unique?

1 - It is the only tour of Xmas cribs in Rome so far: beware of future imitations:-)

2 - See some of the most famous sights of this Eternal City

3 - Local licenced guide speaking perfect English

4 - Avoid crowds and hassle by following a well-designed itinerary through the center of Rome

Details

Our tours depart daily. Call us at +39 328 94 73 305 for more information regarding the above tour.

Booking and prices

For booking and price quotes please email us to: info@romecitytours.com or go to our booking page.