Itinerary of the Nativity scenes in Acireale

The traditional "Nativity Scene Route" of Acireale, born from the collaboration between the most important cultural realities of Acireale, is an educational-tourist itinerary of the artistic nativity scenes of Acireale.
Every year , during the Christmas holidays, visitors will be accompanied, at each site, by qualified personnel who will provide all the information necessary to understand the cultural context in which the were generated b>artistic nativity scenes and the construction techniques that characterize each nativity scene.

Percorso Presepi

The itinerary of the nativity scenes of Acireale includes:
1 - Eighteenth-century nativity scene
The eighteenth-century nativity scene of Acireale is set in a lava flow cave in which 34 life-size wooden and wax statues were placed. The nativity scene was built in the 18th century by the will of the priest Mariano Valerio who had local artisans model the splendid wax faces of the characters that make up the tradition of the nativity scene, commissioned the splendid, finely decorated clothes and completed the scene with objects characteristic of the Sicilian tradition . Forty years after the last restoration, it will be possible to admire all the characters of the Nativity Scene in their original splendor thanks to the works financed by the Sicilian Region.
Days and times for visits
From 1 December to 6 January
Every day:
From 9:00 to 13:00
From 15:30 to 18:30
Contacts: presepeacireale@gmail.com
Church of Santa Maria La Neve - SP2 5B
Facebook
+39 335 8434776
+39 329 6154135
(Admission fee)

2 - Artisan Nativity Scene Exhibition
Organized by the Acesi Artisans Association
The nativity scenes displayed in the exhibition are the result of handcrafted work , where the representation of the birth of Jesus is equivalent to announcing the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God with simplicity and joy. The sign of the nativity scene, which always arouses amazement and wonder.
Days and times for visits
14 and 15 December
From 5pm to 8pm
From 21 December to 1 January, the 4 and 5 January
From 5pm to 8pm
From 25 to 29 December, 6 and on January 7th
From 10.30am to 12.30pm
Outside hours visits will only be possible by appointment
For info and reservations:
tel. 3927235001
email: artisanacesi@gmail.com
Entrance fee
Ipab Santonoceto and Conservatori Riuniti
(Admission fee)

3 - Exhibition of artisanal nativity scenes "The Star of Bethlehem"
The exhibition of artistic-artisan nativity scenes "The Star of Bethlehem", XXII Edizione is an exhibition of around 50 excellently crafted artistic-artisan nativity scenes with various materials, including terracotta, as in the case of the shepherds of Caltagirone, between different types and styles from an artistic and cultural point of view.
Days and times for visits
From 1 December to 6 January
On days 1-7-8-14-15,
from 16th to 31st December, from 1st to 6th January
For schools, opening times and days upon reservation:
morning from 2nd to 21st December
from 9:00 to 12:30
Opening hours:
Saturday from 4pm to 8.30pm Sunday and holidays from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 16:00 to 20:30
January 6, 2025 at 11:00 am
Arrival of the Befana in the fairy forest
For info and reservations: Tel. 354 732 5690
(Admission fee)

4 - “The Word became flesh”
Exhibition on the Nativity
Diocesan Museum, Via Genuardi 16
On the occasion of the Jubilee, the Diocesan Museum presents an exhibition dedicated to the theme of the Incarnation. The exhibition brings together children from ecclesiastical and private collections, works of sacred art: paintings, sculptures, sacred vestments, liturgical objects, all centered on the mystery of the Word becoming flesh. The exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in the mystery of faith through art, offering an opportunity for cultural and spiritual reflection, to rediscover the heart of the Christian message: God entering the history of humanity.
Days and times for visits
From Saturday 14 December to Sunday 12 January every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00
Narrated route Cathedral Diocesan Museum
edited by Cento Campanili APS
Friday 27 December
THE WAY TO BEAUTY
experiential itinerary
“He became flesh to make himself food"
from 7pm to 9pm
edited by Cento Campanili APS
Opening of the Museum and guided tours for groups by reservation.
Diocesan Museum

5 - “Paths of Hope”
Christmas-themed exhibition inside the towers bell towers
Enchanting journey into the towers of the Cathedral Basilica on the "Paths of Hope" to discover the roots, retracing the history of the Jubilee up to today.
Cathedral Basilica Maria SS. Annunziata, Piazza Duomo
Days and times for visits
From 7 December to 7 January
From 9:00 to 15:00
and from 3.30pm to 8pm
Saturdays and holidays:
from 9:00 to 13:00
and from 3.30pm to 10pm
Telephone contact: 3498594465
(Admission fee)

6 - Papier-mâché Nativity Scene of the Basilica's Christmas
Inside the Basilica of SS, Apostles Peter and Paolo, in a room adjacent to the Chapel of Jesus and Mary known as the Chapel of the Dead Christ, there is a small copy of the large eighteenth-century nativity scene of Santa Maria della Neve (in Rutta). The characters of our nativity scene, made of papier-mâché and with cloth clothes, are completely similar to the original eighteenth-century ones in Sicilian style with the typical Acicine characters such as Susanedda, Innaru, u Re tuccu; the nativity scene is also surmounted by Muntagna.
Days and times for visits
Visits can be booked with the Basilica staff at different times
For info and booking
095.601968 / 347.8764882

7 - San Francesco Christmas Museum
Corso Savoia 134
+39 3402847411
+39 3458128868
Open all year by reservation

8 - In the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies - Monumental Neapolitan Nativity Scene
The Monumental Neapolitan Nativity Scene of Acireale is set up in the crypt of the Basilica of San Sebastiano and in it the magic of the nativity scene of the 18th century Neapolitan tradition lives again. The nativity scene is created in collaboration with the Ass. Stoa Sicula
 Cripta Basilica di San Sebastiano - Piazza Vigo 20
+ 39 3289354169
+ 39 095601313
(Paid entry)

9 - Traditional nativity scene of the Oratory
The nativity scene of the oratory of the Philippine Fathers of Acireale, created by the young people of the oratory, covers a vast exhibition space and often features realistic and lively elements, such as an artificial lake and real animals, which fill the eyes of adults and children with enthusiasm.
 Oratorio dei Padri Filippini - Vico dei PP. Filippini, 2
 Facebook
+39 3479719582

10 - Nativity scene in the Church of San Francesco di Paola
 Chiesa di San Francesco di Paola

11 - Gloria a Diu ca è Natu
Presepe vivente ed eventi
 Chiesa di San Michele

12 - Nasciu lu Verbu Eterno
Mostra presepi e spettacoli del danzastorie
 Chiesa Gesù e Maria

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