Tuesday 24 December 2024 from 10 pm
On Christmas Eve, the Village will be transformed into a little Bethlehem, where mulled wine, tea, a miraculous herbal tea from the herbalist and Palestinian bread from the bakers will be served in exchange for a free offering.
Even the most attentive of tourists cannot fail to grasp the charm of the ancient village of Rivalta and not get caught up in it. The settlement has, in fact, kept intact, in its structure, a setting of extraordinary beauty that lends itself well to re-enactments in costume.
Don Sandro Civardi grasped this special vocation of the town when he conceived the Living Nativity of Rivalta, whose edition was staged on Christmas Eve 1991 together with the parishioners and Count Orazio Zanardi Landi. A parish priest who passed on so much to his parishioners, he is still remembered today for his memorable sermons.
Like all significant experiences, the Living Nativity of Rivalta has become a classic event with more than 100 figurants on evening of 24 December:
- 10:30 p.m. procession of the High Priest;
- 10:45 p.m. exit from the Castle of King Herod's procession;
- 11:10 p.m. the Censor makes his way to the census site;
- 11:10 p.m. the Three Wise Men visit the astrologer;
- 11:30 p.m. Mary and Joseph arrive with the donkey;
- 11:50 p.m. all the characters make their way to the church for Holy Mass.
At the end everyone goes to the hut to visit the baby Jesus.
This year the main protagonist, Jesus, is called Filippo, Filippo Zanardi Landi, son of Ludovica Zanardi Landi, in turn daughter of Orazio Zanardi Landi, owner of the Borgo.
There will also be representatives of ancient trades carefully reconstructed from studies of customs and traditions: carpenters, poulterers, blacksmiths, potters, decorators, weavers, spinners, King Herod's concubines and many others illuminated in the alleys by torches.
On 24 December, it will be possible to visit Rivalta Castle. Guided tours by appointment.
Cost of the event: free admission.
For info: Giulia Pilotta 3392987892, info@castellodirivalta.it, https://www.castellodirivalta.it/
